Students and professionals spending Christmas in the UK away from family navigate a distinct experience during the holiday season. Straying from familiar cultural and familial festivities, they often cultivate a makeshift sense of home by blending traditions.
The absence of family often leads to communal celebrations with fellow students, fostering a multicultural environment. Some choose to explore local Christmas markets, participate in community events, or volunteer, immersing themselves in the holiday spirit. Despite the distance, this period offers an opportunity for cultural exchange, resilience, and the formation of new friendships against the festive backdrop of a foreign land.
Komal Agarwal moved to the UK in 2022 to pursue her Master in Investment and Finance from the University of Strathclyde and found the Christmas celebrations similar to Diwali, with homes lit up and decorated a month prior, Christmas trees put up and Christmas Markets being all the fury.
For her first Christmas in the UK, Komal chose to visit the Edinburgh Christmas Market. “It was awesome. I had some Indian food, my pick of desserts and went on some rides. I also went to the Christmas Wonderland in London and tried out some fresh wine. I also decorated my house last year and plan on doing the same this year.”, she said.
“I obviously miss my family as the festive season takes over but turn to my friends for comfort. I usually join my friends for dinner and outings and even hosted a Christmas party to enjoy the celebration I had the opportunity to experience. I made Gajar ka halwa last year to remind me of home and plan on making Badam ka halwa this year.”
Komal is planning to visit the Edinburgh Christmas Market again this year, making it a part of her tradition. She also plans to explore the beautifully lighted and decorated streets of Edinburgh.
Devanshi Parmar is a media student who moved to the UK a little less than a year ago and will be experiencing her first Christmas in the country. So far, people dressed up as elves on the middle of the road is a different experience for her.
“This is my first Christmas experience in the UK and I’m looking forward to it. One of the things I’ve noticed is the Christmas Markets and lit-up street and it’s very fun and lively. Another fascinating thing is how everything here, from supermarkets to Starbucks, transforms into Christmas themes”, she told Asian Voice.
About her Christmas plans this year, she said, “I’ll be partaking in a Secret Santa gifting tradition with friends and my university dorm has put up a Christmas tree at the reception and allows us to donate things which is pretty cool. I also bought for myself, a Santa Mug and plan on making a cake.”
While Devanshi has learned to cope with homesickness in the past 11 months, some days are still harder than others. “I try to focus on the brand new experiences and call my family up from time to time and that’s a huge help. I also seek comfort in Indian food”, she said.
Uday Vir Gurjar moved to the UK earlier this year for better career prospects in the field of Therapeutic Radiography and has been thankful for the people he has come across who help him miss his family a little less.
Elaborating on his experience, Uday Vir said, “At a recent Christmas party, everyone made sure to make me feel included and even blasted some Bollywood songs, dancing their hearts out with me. We even grooved to Bhangra.
“I also have an amazing landlord who is no less than family to me and is making sure that my first Christmas here is perfect. We went to see a Pantomime recently and I got to decorate my first Christmas Tree.
“I do miss my family from time to time but having surrounded myself with amazing people, things get easier.”
