Here at beijingkids, we get to know a lot of talented students in the international school community, and whenever possible, we like to invite them to write for us. 

The following story was written by Gabriel L., Year 7, from Yew Chung International School of Beijing (YCIS Beijing).

The holiday season is back again, and people are getting ready to start off the holidays, and temporarily waving goodbye to the stress and pressure of their lives, whether they are getting back together with family, heading off to new destinations for some sightseeing and traveling, or even just spending Christmas at home in Beijing, snuggled up in front of the flat screen with their loved ones.

As the first semester of the school year comes to a close, students are looking forward to the holiday that lays ahead of them. And with Christmas on the horizon, they’re desperate for the bleak atmosphere of midterm assessments to pass, leaving them to a well-deserved vacation.

Even though the students at Yew Chung International School of Beijing (YCIS Beijing) still have a few more days of school to go, the excitement for a much-needed holiday is noticeably growing, everyone yearning to escape the confines of school life, so we asked a few students to share their plans for this holiday season.

Sydney S., Year 8, will be headed to her hometown of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where she will be able to get back together with her friends and family. She is most excited to be able to see her grandmother. “I am really excited to go see my grandma,” says Sydney S. “She has been having some difficulties as she has been getting older, so I am really happy I am able to spend time with her while I still can.”

Where most people would plan to spend their Christmas with the familiar sights and smells of their hometown, others may choose to head off to new destinations to spend Christmas in a whole new environment. Luli P., Year 9, will be visiting both France and Italy over the holiday. This will be her first time going to both countries, and she is getting excited to see all the views and the food France and Italy will offer, as well as the different places she will be able to visit during her trip.

Also, Emil D., Year 7, will be going all the way down to Australia where he will be headed to both Melbourne and Sydney. This is not his first time visiting “The Land Down Under”, and when asked, he mentioned that he will indulge in all sorts of activities like going to the beach, camping, surfing and more. He is just happy to be able to get away from the unforgiving frost of Beijing. “As long as it’s warm, I’d be happy to stay there forever.”

Photos: Pixabay