1. Create Account
  2. Login
StudyUSA
Match Me
  • Create Account
  • Login
  • School Search
  • Resources
    • All Resources
    • Articles
    • Student Voices
    • Videos
    • Magazines
    • Podcasts
  • Services
    • All Services
    • Accommodation
    • Support
    • Career
    • Financial
    • Testing
    • Other
  • Apply
  • Chat

From Student Blogger, Ayaka: Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

From Student Blogger, Ayaka: Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Jan 7, 2019

Since I came to the U.S., everything seems new to me.

Of course, it was the first time for me to experience American Christmas and New Year events. After finals were over, all college students start to go out to release stress. Some of the international students I know went back to their home countries. I decided to stay here. During winter, there are two big events I mentioned above, so I thought it would be a great experience to stay here.

On Christmas Eve, my host family kindly invited me to their family party.

We visited another house in New Jersey and had a nice dinner. There were as many as 20 people. I was so surprised because my family is four people and we don’t have so many relatives. The house was decorated everywhere. The Christmas tree was really big and beautiful.

What I found interesting was that people watch the children open their presents together. In my home country, people hang out with their boyfriend/girlfriend on Christmas day and they exchange gifts. Also, Children get presents from Santa Claus while they are sleeping. Some children get another gift from their parents, others don’t. So, we don’t have such an event. There were 10 kids excited by their presents. Kindly, my host family gave me gifts! I didn’t expect it, so I was so happy. I really enjoyed this American style Christmas.

You might imagine the New Year’s Eve Ball Drop in Times Square, but to see it, you have to wait for many hours without going to the bathroom. In fact, one of my friends waited from 11am to see it. I didn’t want to do it... So, I went to the musical star’s show in Manhattan. It was my dream since I am a huge fan of musical shows. One of the reasons I chose New York to study abroad were Broadway shows.

In the city, there were traffic regulations. Many police officers closed roads. So, we had to show the pass to get the venue. Even though it was raining, a large number of people were already waiting for the countdown in the street. Feeling their energy, we arrived at our destination. The place is called 54 Below, in which a lot of musical stars and singers perform.

The countdown show was held by Aaron Tveit, who was a musical star. You might know him from TV also. After the dinner, the show began. This was the first time I saw him in person of course, so I was really excited and so was a friend of mine who also loved musical shows. Once he started singing, the audience moved to the music. In the great atmosphere, everyone was captured by his performance.

It was such a wonderful show that my friend lost her voice for a while. I can’t find appropriate words to explain it, but it was definitely the best countdown in the world. As you can imagine, we never stopped talking after the show, even after leaving the venue. We shared impressions enthusiastically until dawn. It became a wonderful opportunity in my life! I dedicated a whole semester to study, so it became my best treat ever.


 

Ayaka is a Japanese 24-year-old transfer student at the College of Staten Island, the City University of New York. She is majoring in Sociology. 

Follow us:
Written by

Study in the USA

Get matched to the best program for you

Let us know what you're looking for so we can find the best school for you.

Get matched
Call to action background image. Decorative.

Useful Articles

Main image for the blog post titled An Open Letter to Lycoming College
An Open Letter to Lycoming College
Main image for the blog post titled Learn to Protect Our Environment for a Living
Learn to Protect Our Environment for a Living
Main image for the blog post titled Learn English at Disney
Learn English at Disney
Main image for the blog post titled Accomplish Your Goals in Community at the University of South Carolina
Accomplish Your Goals in Community at the University of South Carolina
Read more

Check Out These Schools

Georgetown University English Language Center

Georgetown University English Language Center

$1,000—$5,000 Semester

English Programs
Contact
James Madison University

James Madison University

$25,000—$30,000 Year

Bachelor Degree English Programs Masters
Contact
Study Mississippi

Study Mississippi

$1,000—$5,000 Session

English Programs Online Certificate/Short Term
Contact

Related Stories

5 Tips on Applying to American Universities

Main image for the article titled 5 Tips on Applying to American Universities
5 Tips on Evaluating Your English

Main image for the article titled 5 Tips on Evaluating Your English
5 Tips to Read Faster in English

Main image for the article titled 5 Tips to Read Faster in English
5 tips on how to be fluent in English within 60 days

Main image for the article titled 5 tips on how to be fluent in English within 60 days

Start your U.S. adventure with Study in the USA

What's your dream? We can guide, advise, and connect you with your perfect U.S. school. We can also help you with the application process.
More about us
Partner Services

Learn About U.S. education financing, housing, and more

Partner service logo for Morning Brew

Morning Brew

BECOME SMARTER IN JUST 5 MINUTES. Get the daily email that makes reading the news actually enjoyable. Stay informed and entertained, for free.

Read more
Partner service logo for CORT Furniture Rental Student Packages

CORT Furniture Rental Student Packages

Most U.S. apartments come unfurnished. Make your move easy with a student furniture rental package from CORT. Flexible lease terms. Delivered before you arrive. Starting at $99 per month.* *with a 12-month lease

Read more
Partner service logo for Collegey

Collegey

Develop the portfolio and skills you need for your future! Embrace meaningful projects while collaborating with expert mentors and expanding your professional network.

Read more

Testimonials

Quotation mark.

Everything is going great. My classes will start in February 2020. Everyone at Glendale Community College is helping a lot. Thank you!

Alexandre Cabrera Brazil

Study in the USA helped me by providing information regarding fees and courses of the various universities I was interested in.

Sai Madhav Raju Goriparthi India

Study in the USA provided me with more information and gave me an overall knowledge of the process of applying to schools in the U.S to actually getting accepted and moving over.

Oluwadamilola Ameobi Nigeria

Resources

Learn about American culture and education direct from our experts at Study in the USA. Read more

Achieving Your Goal
Admissions and Placement Testing
Beyond the Basics
Education System in the USA
Financing Your U.S. Education
Frequently Asked Questions
Life in the USA
Resources
Student Experiences
For students age 10-18
Study in Canada
Podcasts
Magazines
Videos
Student Voices
Ask StudyUSA.com

Subscribe to get the latest from Study in the USA

You can unsubscribe at any time.


StudyUSA
Explore

  • School Search
  • Resources
  •   Articles
  •   Student Voices
  •   Videos
  •   Magazines
  • Partner Services
  •   Accommodation
  •   Career
  •   Financial
  •   Other
  •   Support
  •   Testing
  • Apply
  • Chat
Information

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Course Index
  • Article Index
  • Create account
  • Sign in
  • For Educators & Institutions
Match Me
  • English
    English

  • Privacy & Policy
  • /
  • Terms

Study in the USA logo

© 2023 Study in the USA. All Rights Reserved.

Global Study logo
A member of the Global Study network

When you visit or interact with our sites, services or tools, we or our authorised service providers may use cookies for storing information to help provide you with a better, faster and safer experience and for marketing purposes.