Holiday traditions around the world
CARMEN GEORGE

Pictured left to right are: Sandra Kater, Agnes Kistanas, Terry Kim, Yeon-Woo Lee, Alina Budayeva, Adrian Hernandez-Cepero, Lucy Araus and Lyudmila Kuleshova

This year Yosemite High School has nine international students enrolled in classes on the campus.These students come from a wide variety of countries and cultures and have added diversity to the campus and the community.

With Christmas near at hand, many people often wonder how the holiday is celebrated abroad. These teenagers help to answer this common question throughout the article, as they share their own personal experience with Christmas in their home countries. Each of these students also discussed their own feelings regarding their experience here in the United States along with some of the similarities and differences they have noticed between teenagers in their own countries compared to here in California.

Alina Budayeva from the Ukraine and Lyudmila Kuleshova from Russia said that in their home countries Christmas is not celebrated nearly as much as New Years. Christmas is celebrated in their countries on January 7 with “Great Father Frost” (Santa Claus) and his granddaughter, Snegyrochka, who bring presents.

Christmas for Lucy Arauz in her home country of Equador involves a month long gift exchange with students at her high school. Christmas is celebrated December 24, and presents from Santa Claus are opened after a turkey dinner with family. Lucy added that another important holiday in Equador is “Kings Day,” on January 6, when people remember when the three wise men arrived with presents for Jesus.

Sandra Kater said that in Germany, Christmas is celebrated with a Christmas tree and Santa Claus, similar to the customs here. Sandra explained that each family has a wreath with four candles and one candle is lit every Sunday so that by December 24 all four candles are lit. On December 24 the Christmas presents are opened after church and dinner; usually a traditional meal of duck, goose or fish.

Along with Christmas, Sandra explained that Germans also celebrate a “Nikolaus Day,” on December 6. Children clean a shoe on December 5, and leave it out overnight for the “Nikolaus” to fill. When the children awake on December 6, they find their shoe usually filled with tangerines, nuts, chocolates and sometimes a small present.

Louise Sutton, a dual United States/Danish citizen from Denmark, explained that in her country her family will hold hands and circle the Christmas tree dancing and singing songs to celebrate after a fancy dinner usually consisting of duck. Following this, candles are lit on the Christmas tree, and presents from Santa Claus and family members are opened one at a time.

In Hungary, Agnes Kisdamas explained that on the evening of December 24 people believe that Jesus and the angels bring the Christmas tree and the presents opposed to the cultural belief that Santa Claus does.

In South Korea, Terry Kim and Yeon Woo Lee stated that only about half of their country celebrates Christmas. Christians in South Korea have the customs of the Christmas tree and Santa Claus, although Buddhists in their country typically don’t celebrate the holiday.

Adrian Hernandez-Cep-ero, from Cuba, also stated that depending upon a family’s culture, some people don’t celebrate Christmas in his country.

Along with the topic of Christmas, many of the international students had a lot to add about the difference in school here compared to their home countries. “We don’t have multiple choice answers on tests at home,” said Sandra. “School is more free here,” continued Yeon Woo, going on to explain that in South Korea students cannot slump at all in their seats, cross their legs, or allow their back to touch the back of their seat.

“All students wear uniforms, have short nails and hair that is above the shoulders and girls cannot wear makeup,” added Yeon Woo. Lucy also commented that in Equador she had to wear a uniform and could not wear earrings or makeup. Adrian said that in Cuba he was also made to wear a uniform to school. Alina said that although she did not have a uniform, while going to school in the Ukraine she was forced to wear certain colored clothes to school.

Along with the fact that a large majority of teens aren’t required to wear uniforms here in the States, Alina commented on how comfortable people are here compared to those in her own country. “Women usually wear heels at home.” Sandra also took a similar view, saying that she thought teenagers here are more relaxed and not as narrow minded as they are in Germany.

Sandra and Agnes found the way people view them here is different from the way they are viewed at home. “Teenagers in Germany are treated more like how people treat college students in America,” commented Sandra. Louise added “I have more freedom in Denmark.” Agnes also responded similarly, saying that in America she is treated more like a child than she is at home.

On the contrary, many of the international students at YHS commented on how much older American teenagers look compared to teens in their home countries. “Guys look older here, sometimes they look like men,” stated Lyuda. Terry also thought teens here looked older. “Boys here are better, Korean boys are too skinny,” laughed Yeon Woo.

Almost everyone commented on how much they liked their new friends and how welcoming teens and their host families had been to them so far. Lyudamila said that her favorite part of everything was the people and warm weather. “Teenagers try to seem more fake and try to be cooler in Russia. I like to be myself. People here are easier to talk to.”

The majority of all of the international students also expressed their gratitude to their host families for their kindness and love. Many commented on how much they would miss their new families once they had to return home. “I like the whole experience and I have enjoyed getting to know my host family because I love them,” said Sandra.

Stephanie Samuels, coordinator of the Foreign Exchange program at YHS commented, “My favorite part of my career is my association with the international students because they really are incredible people.”

When Lyudamila was asked if she had anything else she wanted to say about her experience so far as an international student, she simply smiled and said, “I want you to write with big letters that I LOVE THE USA.”