Try Celebrating Holidays In Another Nation

Mon., Dec. 21, 1998

Lisa Cripe Mead

It’s hard enough being away from your family during the holidays. It’s even harder being thousands of miles away in a foreign country.

Exchange students have a lot to get accustomed to, starting with a new language and making friends with people whose daily lives are unlike what they are used to. And then there are the holidays.

Fortunately Alejandra Carrillo, an exchange student from Mexico who is living with me, doesn’t expect Christmas to be too different for her.

Her hometown is 97 percent Catholic so the vast majority celebrate Christmas. She is anticipating similarities between her typical celebration and ours, but is used to celebrating Christmas in a more religious manner.

“As far as dinner and everything, I expect it to be the same. But you don’t do The Posadas. Normally we get together with all our relatives and friends to celebrate it. That’s what I miss most right now, because The Posadas are the only time I get to see all my extended family.”

The Posadas are a series of celebrations held Dec. 16-24 that depict the journey of Mary and Joseph and their search for lodging. In Alejandra’s family they meet at her grandmother’s house and knock on each of the doors around the house. They sing a song asking for lodging but are continually refused. Finally at the last door they are granted shelter and are invited inside for a festive party. Everyone sings and dances, and there is always a pinata. The pinata represents destroying the bad things that have happened over the past year, and the candy inside represents the good things to come.

Although Mexico has adopted Santa Claus and his reindeer, the traditional custom is that the Three Kings bring gifts to children who have been good during the year. This takes place on Jan. 5, the Day of the Three Kings.

It is very easy for exchange students to feel left out during the holiday season, especially if they are longing to be with their families. Be sure to keep this in mind and the next time you see an exchange student like Alejandra. Be sure to give him or her a friendly “Feliz Navidad” or other appropriate greeting. It might just make their day.

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