Christmas has arrived at Campus Helsingborg with stars in the windows, festive lights, and the scent of lussekatter in the air. But not all international students are heading home for the holidays. For them, Christmas is more about discovering new traditions and traveling.
Steve, from Nigeria, usually celebrates Christmas back home. This year, however, his holidays are a mix of sightseeing and socialising with the local community:
– My plan is to travel around, maybe Copenhagen, then spend it with a very nice Swedish family in Råå. They invited me to a Christmas dinner.
Ester, from Indonesia, approaches the holidays with more bittersweet feelings:
– I feel conflicted because I want to eat homemade food, but the flight back home is expensive.
Ester will spend the holidays with her Indonesian friend in Stockholm before travelling to Milan to celebrate the New Year. Lingchen, from China, has a similar plan, celebrating with her Chinese friends while exploring Stockholm, Norway, and Berlin. Being with people who share the same roots, language, and culture makes them feel closer to home.
For Stavroula, from Greece, the holidays promise a comforting homecoming.
– I’m very happy that I’m here in Sweden and I’ve made a lot of new friends. I’m also excited because I’m going back to Greece in a few days.
Her plans are simple: She’s going to spend time with family (especially her dogs), enjoy Greek food, and see some old friends.
Others have created new traditions abroad. Anissa, from Malaysia, does not celebrate Christmas in the traditional sense.
– I’m from Malaysia and as a Muslim, I do not celebrate Christmas, she explains. This year, her family will visit her, and together they will travel across Europe.
– Home to me is where my family is, not just the place, she adds, capturing how the idea of home can stretch beyond geography.
The season has also been a time to explore Swedish customs. Stavroula jokes:
– I had so many cups of glögg that the sugar in my system was very, very high.
Steve enjoys meatballs and mashed potatoes, while Ester and Lingchen share an enthusiasm for lussekatter baked by their Swedish classmates. Lingchen, in particular, was surprised by how friendly her teachers were and impressed by their creative Christmas outfits during a potluck organized by her programme.
What do you look forward to in 2026?
Steve: – Lots of money.
Ester: – I hope I can experience more things, new things, and also have more friends here. I want to have the best grade for the next semester.
Anissa: – I wish to be doing my internship abroad. I would also like to travel more and be more at peace.
Stavroula: – Well, I wish I could get more friends. I like meeting people. And I hope I can be more sure about what I want to do in the future, not only for this New Year, but for the future as well.
Lingchen: – Maybe no stress. Experience more and broaden my horizon.
