Christmas time has always been one of those seasons that brought mixed feelings. As an international student back in 2001 in a foreign country, I would miss my family especially during this time of year where we would all get together and just enjoy each other’s company. For us it was never a matter of religion and ceremonies, it was the people, love and togetherness.

Over the years as a student, I learned to create my own Canadian family – one that was not related by blood, but definitely became as close as our related family. These were a mix of international and local students that all hung out together because we had no other place to go. We would all cook together and enjoy each other’s company.

Once student life was over and Elma moved in, we still had our “student” family, but also got to know other families within the community, and our family grew to the amazing bunch we have today. 

So from our collective families to yours. We wish you Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.