Feeling Homesick? Fun Winter Activities for International Students
Check out a nearby Christmas market!
Christmas markets are a common feature across many UK towns and cities once December hits; and although it might feel cold outside, I’ve always loved the warm lights and buzz of my local market. Whether you’re there just to have a quick look around or you intend to tuck into some festive food and drink (have to recommend the Yorkshire Pudding wraps), you’re bound to feel much more cheerful after visiting. Maybe take some pictures to show your friends/family at home how Christmas is celebrated in the UK.
Organise a potluck.
Regardless of where you are in the world right now, you’ll likely have one or two dishes that taste exactly like home to you. Organising a potluck – whether it be with your friends, your flatmates or any other students staying over the holidays in your accommodation – can be a great way to share your culture with others, meet new people and taste new dishes.
Host a Christmas movie marathon.
If the weather outside is too much for you, why not stay indoors with a few friends and host a Christmas movie marathon? Last year, me and my flatmates watched The Holiday (2006) at least a dozen times, but you can always rely on some other classics such as Love, Actually or Nativity! as well. If you want to be a bit controversial and spice things up, you could also include Die Hard – albeit, I’m a strong believer that it’s not a true Christmas movie!
If you’re an international student or a home student staying at uni for Christmas, do you have any fun plans for over the holidays? Feel free to leave them down below!
Eve (Kingston Rep).
Christmas markets are a common feature across many UK towns and cities once December hits; and although it might feel cold outside, I’ve always loved the warm lights and buzz of my local market. Whether you’re there just to have a quick look around or you intend to tuck into some festive food and drink (have to recommend the Yorkshire Pudding wraps), you’re bound to feel much more cheerful after visiting. Maybe take some pictures to show your friends/family at home how Christmas is celebrated in the UK.
Organise a potluck.
Regardless of where you are in the world right now, you’ll likely have one or two dishes that taste exactly like home to you. Organising a potluck – whether it be with your friends, your flatmates or any other students staying over the holidays in your accommodation – can be a great way to share your culture with others, meet new people and taste new dishes.
Host a Christmas movie marathon.
If the weather outside is too much for you, why not stay indoors with a few friends and host a Christmas movie marathon? Last year, me and my flatmates watched The Holiday (2006) at least a dozen times, but you can always rely on some other classics such as Love, Actually or Nativity! as well. If you want to be a bit controversial and spice things up, you could also include Die Hard – albeit, I’m a strong believer that it’s not a true Christmas movie!
If you’re an international student or a home student staying at uni for Christmas, do you have any fun plans for over the holidays? Feel free to leave them down below!
Eve (Kingston Rep).
(edited 1 month ago)
Reply 1
I absolutely love these tips, @Kingston Eve — especially the potluck idea, because it’s such a lovely way to share dishes and traditions from home.
This year I’m spending Christmas Eve working at my local theatre watching The Nutcracker, and then heading back to see family.
Last year, me and my flatmates made Christmas hampers for each other. We included a ‘blind book’, where you pick up a second-hand book, wrap it up, and write a few clues on the front such as the genre or a fun teaser about the plot. We also added hot chocolate sachets, but you can put anything in there. If you have crafty friends, they might love some new pens, stickers and a colouring book.
And don’t forget to grab an advent calendar if you haven’t already — it’s such a small thing but it really helps make December feel a bit more festive.
Megan (LJMU Rep)
This year I’m spending Christmas Eve working at my local theatre watching The Nutcracker, and then heading back to see family.
Last year, me and my flatmates made Christmas hampers for each other. We included a ‘blind book’, where you pick up a second-hand book, wrap it up, and write a few clues on the front such as the genre or a fun teaser about the plot. We also added hot chocolate sachets, but you can put anything in there. If you have crafty friends, they might love some new pens, stickers and a colouring book.
And don’t forget to grab an advent calendar if you haven’t already — it’s such a small thing but it really helps make December feel a bit more festive.
Megan (LJMU Rep)
Reply 2
Original post
by Kingston EveCheck out a nearby Christmas market!
Christmas markets are a common feature across many UK towns and cities once December hits; and although it might feel cold outside, I’ve always loved the warm lights and buzz of my local market. Whether you’re there just to have a quick look around or you intend to tuck into some festive food and drink (have to recommend the Yorkshire Pudding wraps), you’re bound to feel much more cheerful after visiting. Maybe take some pictures to show your friends/family at home how Christmas is celebrated in the UK.
Organise a potluck.
Regardless of where you are in the world right now, you’ll likely have one or two dishes that taste exactly like home to you. Organising a potluck – whether it be with your friends, your flatmates or any other students staying over the holidays in your accommodation – can be a great way to share your culture with others, meet new people and taste new dishes.
Host a Christmas movie marathon.
If the weather outside is too much for you, why not stay indoors with a few friends and host a Christmas movie marathon? Last year, me and my flatmates watched The Holiday (2006) at least a dozen times, but you can always rely on some other classics such as Love, Actually or Nativity! as well. If you want to be a bit controversial and spice things up, you could also include Die Hard – albeit, I’m a strong believer that it’s not a true Christmas movie!
If you’re an international student or a home student staying at uni for Christmas, do you have any fun plans for over the holidays? Feel free to leave them down below!
Eve (Kingston Rep).
Christmas markets are a common feature across many UK towns and cities once December hits; and although it might feel cold outside, I’ve always loved the warm lights and buzz of my local market. Whether you’re there just to have a quick look around or you intend to tuck into some festive food and drink (have to recommend the Yorkshire Pudding wraps), you’re bound to feel much more cheerful after visiting. Maybe take some pictures to show your friends/family at home how Christmas is celebrated in the UK.
Organise a potluck.
Regardless of where you are in the world right now, you’ll likely have one or two dishes that taste exactly like home to you. Organising a potluck – whether it be with your friends, your flatmates or any other students staying over the holidays in your accommodation – can be a great way to share your culture with others, meet new people and taste new dishes.
Host a Christmas movie marathon.
If the weather outside is too much for you, why not stay indoors with a few friends and host a Christmas movie marathon? Last year, me and my flatmates watched The Holiday (2006) at least a dozen times, but you can always rely on some other classics such as Love, Actually or Nativity! as well. If you want to be a bit controversial and spice things up, you could also include Die Hard – albeit, I’m a strong believer that it’s not a true Christmas movie!
If you’re an international student or a home student staying at uni for Christmas, do you have any fun plans for over the holidays? Feel free to leave them down below!
Eve (Kingston Rep).
Your tips are fantastic, thankyou very much! There is just one thing I disagree with - Die Hard is a great Christmas film!
Whether or not you choose to celebrate Christmas, taking some time over the break to relax, spend time with friends, eat some nice food, watch some TV and switch off is so important for your mental wellbeing.
If you're staying in the UK at uni rather than going home, please do check out what Christmas meals/parties/events are happening on campus. Here at Bath we have a whole host of events, such as wreath making, Christmas tea making, Christmas film showings, bead art, vintage computer games events, safaris and ice skating trips as well as a traditional Christmas lunch, and most unis will be putting on similar events!
Christmas is also a time to reflect on the past year and to appreciate what we have - so try to look back at everything you've achieved and think about where you might be this time next year 🙂
Joyeux Noel everybody!
Reply 3
Original post
by Kingston EveCheck out a nearby Christmas market!
Christmas markets are a common feature across many UK towns and cities once December hits; and although it might feel cold outside, I’ve always loved the warm lights and buzz of my local market. Whether you’re there just to have a quick look around or you intend to tuck into some festive food and drink (have to recommend the Yorkshire Pudding wraps), you’re bound to feel much more cheerful after visiting. Maybe take some pictures to show your friends/family at home how Christmas is celebrated in the UK.
Organise a potluck.
Regardless of where you are in the world right now, you’ll likely have one or two dishes that taste exactly like home to you. Organising a potluck – whether it be with your friends, your flatmates or any other students staying over the holidays in your accommodation – can be a great way to share your culture with others, meet new people and taste new dishes.
Host a Christmas movie marathon.
If the weather outside is too much for you, why not stay indoors with a few friends and host a Christmas movie marathon? Last year, me and my flatmates watched The Holiday (2006) at least a dozen times, but you can always rely on some other classics such as Love, Actually or Nativity! as well. If you want to be a bit controversial and spice things up, you could also include Die Hard – albeit, I’m a strong believer that it’s not a true Christmas movie!
If you’re an international student or a home student staying at uni for Christmas, do you have any fun plans for over the holidays? Feel free to leave them down below!
Eve (Kingston Rep).
Christmas markets are a common feature across many UK towns and cities once December hits; and although it might feel cold outside, I’ve always loved the warm lights and buzz of my local market. Whether you’re there just to have a quick look around or you intend to tuck into some festive food and drink (have to recommend the Yorkshire Pudding wraps), you’re bound to feel much more cheerful after visiting. Maybe take some pictures to show your friends/family at home how Christmas is celebrated in the UK.
Organise a potluck.
Regardless of where you are in the world right now, you’ll likely have one or two dishes that taste exactly like home to you. Organising a potluck – whether it be with your friends, your flatmates or any other students staying over the holidays in your accommodation – can be a great way to share your culture with others, meet new people and taste new dishes.
Host a Christmas movie marathon.
If the weather outside is too much for you, why not stay indoors with a few friends and host a Christmas movie marathon? Last year, me and my flatmates watched The Holiday (2006) at least a dozen times, but you can always rely on some other classics such as Love, Actually or Nativity! as well. If you want to be a bit controversial and spice things up, you could also include Die Hard – albeit, I’m a strong believer that it’s not a true Christmas movie!
If you’re an international student or a home student staying at uni for Christmas, do you have any fun plans for over the holidays? Feel free to leave them down below!
Eve (Kingston Rep).
Hi!
I love Christmas so I had to add some of my ideas in here too!
Me and my housemates have done secret Santa this year which I always love doing as it is so fun to try and guess who everyone got and see what nice presents everyone has. It also means you can just buy one nice gift rather than lots of smaller gifts which I like too.
I also agree that Christmas films are a must. Although I wouldn't say Die hard is a Christmas film! My favourites are love actually, the holiday and Nativity so I will definitely watch all of these this Christmas!
The Christmas markets are always a great idea and I love walking around, getting a hot chocolate and a sweet treat and looking at all the lovely trinkets and presents!
One other thing I always like to do is a Christmas lights trail where you go to an area with lots of lights, bring a hot chocolate in a flask and look at all of the lights!
I hope everyone has a lovely Christmas!
Lucy - SHU student ambassador 🙂
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