Issue #3
Christmas edition  -  
This Month @ UNic  -   Global Semesters Agenda  -  Wishes
Christmas Edition
Christmas traditions around the globe




Christmas is not only about celebrations but is also about traditions. So, let’s take a short walk around the Global Semesters locations and see how they celebrate Christmas.

  • China 

    Christmas (Sheng Dan Jieh in Chinese) is not a big celebration because of the small number of Christians in China but families usually decorate their homes with evergreens, posters, and bright paper chains. Of course, they have the "tree of light" (as they call the Christmas tree) which is decorated  with lanterns, flowers and red paper chains that symbolize happiness.

  • United Kingdom

    In the UK, families gather on Christmas Eve and wrap presents, bake cookies, and hang stockings over the fireplace. Then, everyone gathers around the Christmas tree to hear someone share a classic Christmas story. Children sing the Christmas Carols while they write a letter to Father Christmas with their wishes and, after that, they toss their letter into the fire so their wishes can go up to the chimney. The tradition says that after the children go to sleep on Christmas Eve, Father Christmas comes to visit and brings their presents.
    On Christmas Day and after the family lunch (which includes turkey and mince pies among other delicacies), the Brits tend to sit down in front of the television to listen to the Queen’s Speech.   

  • France

    The French start the Christmas holiday season in early December and in all cities you can find Christmas Markets with lots of sweets and Christmas candies. In France, the Yule Logs are made of Cherry Wood and are often burned at home. The log is carried into the home on Christmas Eve and is sprinkled with red wine to make the log smell nice when it is burning.
    According to the custom, the log and candles burn all night with some food and drinks left out in case Mary and baby Jesus pass during the night. On Christmas Eve, French families have their dinner (Réveillon) after the midnight Church Service and on the table you can find roast turkey with chestnuts or roast goose, oysters, foie gras, lobster, venison and cheeses while for dessert the traditional “Bûche de Noël” (a chocolate sponge cake log) is the nation’s favorite. 

  • Italy

    The Italians start the Christmas celebrations four Sundays before Christmas while there are Christmas fairs in all cities with fireworks, bonfires, and Christmas music. The Christmas tree is always there and so are the presents for the little kids who, at the beginning of the celebrations, write their letters to “Pabo Natale” (Santa Claus) and wait for their presents. 

  • Spain

    In Spain, Christmas celebrations begin in December 8 and are known for their amazing atmosphere: evergreens decorate the churches and outdoor markets throughout the Christmas season, tambourines, gourd rattles, castanets, and miniature guitars are offered for sale to enliven the singing and dancing in the streets. Children go from house to house reciting verses or singing carols for sweets, toys, or small instruments.
     
  • Greece

    In Greece there are different Christmas traditions between regions however most Greeks decorate either a Christmas tree with a tinsel and a star or a fishing boat with lights.  On Christmas Eve, children go from door to door singing “kalanda” (carols) while the Christmas table has many traditional food from each region. Children also write their letters to Ayios Vasilis (St. Basil) who will bring them their presents on January 1st.
  • Cyprus

    Cypriots share the same Christmas customs with Greece.  On Christmas Eve, children  sing “kalanda”, and their treats include cookies, sweets (melomakarona and kurabies), and fruits. On Christmas Day, Cypriots go to church for the service and receive Holy Communion and after that they go back home for the holiday feast. Like in the rest of the world, Cypriots decorate a Christmas tree with many lights. 
  • USA

    In the United States the Christmas holiday season begins around the end of November, almost after Thanksgiving. A few days before Christmas, families decorate the Christmas tree with ornaments, tinsel, and lights, with an angel or a star symbolizing the Star of Bethlehem at the top. As for the presents, Santa Claus brings them to kids on Christmas Eve and puts them underneath the tree or in the Christmas stockings that are hung on the fireplace. On Christmas Day, the children open their presents and exchange them with the rest of the family. The traditional Christmas dinner usually features roasted turkey with stuffing, or ham or roasted beef with Yorkshire puddings. Potatoes, squash, roasted vegetables, and cranberry sauce are served along with tonics and sherries. 

  • Argentina

    Christmas in Argentina means hot weather! Preparations for Christmas begin very early in December and families decorate their houses and Christmas trees with lights, ornaments, and tinsel. Argentinians love the “pesebre” (the Nativity scene) decoration and tend to put it near the Christmas tree next to the presents. On Christmas Eve, the Argentinians are having a Barbeque with many side dishes (roasted turkey, roasted pork, stuffed tomatoes, salads and Christmas bread and puddings like 'Pan Dulce' and Panettone). After the Christmas dinner they open their presents and make toasts for health. 

This Month @ UNic
Global Semesters Cyprus Students Visit the US Embassy  
On the 12th of December, students in our Cyprus-based programs participated in a very informational visit to the Fulbright Center of the US Embassy in Cyprus. Located in the UN Buffer Zone, students had the opportunity to meet with the embassy's high-ranking officials and learn more about the daily life of a diplomat in Cyprus and their  duties. Also, students learned more about the sociopolitical developments on the island and were informed about career opportunities within the US Department of State.
Saying Farewell to our Fall 2016 Students
It is this time of the year where the Fall 2016 Global Semesters students will be heading back home for Christmas as the semester comes to an end. 
This semester was a great experience for them which included studying but most of all traveling.
On behalf of the University of Nicosia Global Semesters, we would like to say THANK YOU for making this semester a special one, good luck to your future career aspirations, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you and your families.
Get the best Christmas present!
Study abroad and get a Global Semesters scholarships
Christmas is the best time to talk to your parents about studying abroad!

Did you know that the University of Nicosia Global Semesters programs offers a $250 scholarship for Summer 2017 and a $500 one for Fall 2017?

Here's what you need to do:
2) Choose the program of your interest
3)  Get admitted and submit your deposit by January 15 2017 and you will be eligible for the scholarships.   
University of Nicosia Global Semesters Agenda
Finally... Best wishes from the UNIC Global Semesters team!