NOTE FroM THE EDITORS

The BLC Student Newsletter is a space for students to practice English, share their stories, and connect with the BLC community. All submissions are written by students of different English levels, and we are proud to highlight their voices.

We have chosen to honor each submission without editing to build confidence, connection, and community.

Thank you for reading with kindness and an open heart.

Trang & Aleks – Newsletter Editors

A little Magic

Written by ED from Venezuela

For me, Christmas has always felt a little magical. At home, we start by decorating together—lights, I see my family, they are very happy. We bring a lot of gifts.

We rent a room. We are a lot of people, and we make noise. We eat our favorite food. We wait for 12:00 midnight to give each other a big hug and celebrate New Year’s.

Music and the smell of food filled the whole house. Even though it’s simple, it always makes me feel calm and happy.

What makes this holiday special is that we all come together. We talk, we laugh, and we forget the hard things for a moment. We share food, small gifts, and little moments that turn into memories. For me, Christmas is a time when my heart feels warm and surrounded.

TET IN VIET NAM

Written by LANNIE from VIET NAM

I was born in Viet Nam , a small and beautiful country shaped like an 'S' on the world map. My country has many traditional holidays according to Vietnamese culture, but the most special for me is the Vietnamese New Year, which begins on the first day of the first lunar month according to our ancestors calendar. This holiday is called TET.

To prepare for Tet, we usually spend two weeks cleaning and tidying the house. Then we decorate the house with flowers. After that, my mother and I go shopping for food, spices, and other necessary items , and cook traditional dishes such as Banh Chung, Banh Tet , Spring rolls , pork sausage , and braised pork with eggs. These dishes are characteristic of the traditional Vietnamese New Year , with a variety of flavors and vibrant colors, because they represent the soul and essence of Vietnamese cuisine .

On the first day of the New Year , we place the traditional dishes on the ancestral altar , praying for a prosperous , lucky and healthy year for our family . Then comes the special part of the day : Grandparents , parents and children in our extended family congratulate each other and give red envelopes with lucky money . we also visit to the temples , dressed in Ao Dai , the traditional Vietnamese dress ,to light incense for Buddha , pray for favorable weather , smooth work , success and a bright future .

Finally , we all return home , everyone in the family gathers together laughing and talking happily , sharing stories from the past year and welcoming the New Year with joy , happiness , luck , success and peace in life .

December

Written by ERR from Gersham

My Family and I like to celebrate December 12th the day of the virgin of Guadalupe, Durango the first few data of the month, processions and masses are held and on the 12th, first comunions take place in the community church. In the afternoon, there is another mass, and people dress up as Guarecitas.

Finally we enjoy a fireworks display after December 13th ,the posadas begin, where the community give out sweets, punch, pozole, etc. Until December 23rd, which is the last posada. On December 24th, we gather as a Family and spend time together and we do the same on the 31st.

Fireworks

Written by SS from Afghanistan

I like New Year because my children like fireworks, they are happy.

My country Eid’s holiday we wear new clothes. We would go to friends and family's houses. I bought cake and cookies.

A most popular holiday in Russia

Written by Galina from Russia

1. New Year is the most popular holiday in Russia, and people celebrate it everywhere.

2. In kindergartens and schools, children make circles, sing songs, and have special holiday parties.

3. On December 31, many people work only until 3 p.m., and some people do not go to work at all.

4. In the evening, families cook traditional dishes like Olivier salad and “herring under a fur coat.”

5. People watch the president’s speech before midnight.

6. At midnight, they make wishes and say “Happy New Year!”

7. Many people go outside to see fireworks or visit friends.

8. Today, New Year has almost replaced Christmas in modern Russia, and it is one holiday that still unites many Russians.

New Year’s Day in Japan

Written by Kanna from Japan

In Japan, New Year's Day is one of the most special holidays.

The name of the New Year’s Day is ga-n-ta-n. On the day, we go to the shrine and pray.

We also eat traditional Japanese New Year's food. Name of the food is o-se-chi-ryo-ri. All foods in it have each own meaning. For example, the meaning of lotus root is wish for a bright future.

Children receive New Year's money (o-to-shi-da-ma) from the family. Toy stores are crowded from Christmas to New Year. Some kids spend their money quickly, however, others keep the in bank.

What would you do with your o-to-shi-da-ma if you are a kid?

My favorite holiday

Written by Solomon from Ethiopia

Our holiday name is the New Year in my country in Ethiopia. New Year is my favorite. We celebrate every year on September. My family celebrates with me. We join with my grandparents. Then the men slaughter the sheep in my grandparents house. Usually we go to my grandparents' houses. They are the parents or grandparents of my mother and my father. After we go to slaughter the sheep. The women cook the meat. Then the women prepare the coffee by JEBENA. We drink culteral alcohol. It is called TALA and TEJI. All of us eat the TIBS. After we eat the TIBS, drink the coffee. And we drink alchool if we have interest and when the peson are not under 18 years old. After that my family go to another my grandparents house who is relative with me from my father. Then when we arrive we do the same thing. The children celebate and draw the flowers on the papers.The children give that paper for everyone and say ENKUTATASH. Then the adult people give the money(bucks)(birr) for the children. After that we go to our house and we do the same thing like do my grandparents house. I felt happy because I visit every one of my relatives and all are taking care of me. When i was young i made a lot of bucks(birr). Ethiopia currency is called birr.

Happy New Year

Written by GN from Russia

It was New Year's Eve 1981.

How wonderful it was! It was my second year at university in Novosibirsk.

There were about 15 of us, boys and girls! We went to a small country house, we all rode the train together, it was so much fun.

There was snow all around, the trees and houses were all covered in snow. It was very beautiful, there was a light frost, about 5 degrees below zero Celsius.

We had a lot of food! There were salads, stewed meat, pelmeni, cakes, and, of course, champagne!

We were young, cheerful, and wonderful! We played different games, sang songs, danced, had snowballs, and walked at night through the snow-covered village!

I remember that New Year's Eve all my life. It was my happy youth.

Nowroz

Written by Iraj from Iran

Iranians celebrate spring. The new year starts on the first day of spring. Families visit each other and eat sweets. On the last day, people go to nature and have a picnic.

New Year and New Beginnings

Written by Jz from Thailand

New Year is a special time for me because it feels like a fresh start. In Thai culture, we believe that when a new year begins, we should let go of bad luck and leave all the sadness in the past. It’s a way to welcome good things into our lives.

When the year changes, I try to clear my mind and my heart. I let go of the moments that hurt me, and I don’t carry them into the new year. I believe that starting the year with a calm and positive mind will bring good luck and happiness.

That is why I love New Year. It reminds me to move forward, stay hopeful, and begin again with good energy and a clean heart.

Singhala and Tamil new year

Written by Chithra from Srilanka

Our Holiday is Singhala &Tamil new year. new year is coming in April it makes the end of the harvest season and is rooted in astrological tradition. during the celebrations,people engaged in various costumes. Such as preparing special foods.like Kiribati ( milk rice) and including in traditional sweets.

The Night Our Memories Became Treasure

Written by Gulden from Turkey

When I think about the holiday season, one memory shines the brightest: New Year’s Eve of the year 2000. I was thirteen, full of teenage feelings. I was excited about the new millennium, but I sometimes felt like I had already grown out of the family traditions we repeated every year.

In our family, New Year’s Eve was always celebrated at my grandparents’ home. Every year, we gathered there—my two uncles, my aunts, my cousins, my parents, my siblings, and me. All of us welcomed the new year together, feeling grateful for our family and for everything we had.

Our New Year’s dinner was a true feast. At the center of the table stood a large roasted turkey, surrounded by mashed potatoes, rice, fresh salads, and colorful Turkish olive-oil dishes. After the long dinner, tea and coffee were served along with desserts, fruit, and nuts until the first light of morning. Everyone ended the night full and happy, wrapped in the warmth of being together.

My father always brought his camera and captured all kinds of moments throughout the evening. During dinner, the camera was set up in a corner of the room and continued recording the entire night—every conversation, every joke, every dance. Later, all of these recordings were edited into a yearly New Year’s video. Those videos were filled with funny, silly, or unexpected moments that we replayed and laughed about every time we gathered during the year.

We had many traditions: playing bingo, dancing to loud music, attempting karaoke, and counting down to midnight together. Champagne was popped at 12, the cake was cut, and gifts were exchanged. One of the fathers secretly dressed up as Santa and handed out all the presents from a big bag. The cousins played with their new toys until sunrise while the adults talked, laughed, and shared their hopes for the new year.

At thirteen, I didn’t understand how precious those moments were. I didn’t know that this New Year’s Eve would be the last one for both my grandmother and my youngest cousin, who was nine years old—close in age to my sister. After their tragic passing, nothing felt the same anymore. The joy in the house dimmed, and our celebrations paused for a long time. It felt like a part of our family spirit was missing.

But years later, when we slowly began celebrating again, those old video recordings became treasures. Watching our younger selves dance, joke around, and celebrate life helped us heal. I finally understood the true meaning of those traditions.

I am grateful those moments were recorded. I am grateful we gathered, even on the years I didn’t feel like participating. Because the most unforgettable memories in life are the ones we share with family.

And now, whenever a new year comes, I feel the same warmth in my heart—just like that night in 2000, surrounded by love, joy, and the people who shaped who I am.

Happy Chinese New Year

Written by Annie from China

Chinese New Year is a time for family and friends to celebrate with music,dancing,cooking,and lots of eating.

In New Year's Eve,everyone starts the day decorating the house in red.At night,the reunion dinner is the best feast of the year.Family will get together to share dumplings,chicken,fish,and many other dishes…

In New Year's Day,we will wake up early and put on special new clothes.Family always busy in the kitchen to prepare breakfast.New Year's breakfast have many meanings,long noodles for long life,dumpling for wealth,and lots and lots of candies for good fortune.After breakfast,it's common for younger people to wish their elders a happy new year,and the elders give red envelopes (hongbao) to the younger ones.The money inside the red envelopes is always an even number for luck.We also go out to see the New Year parade and dragon dance with friends.The streets are full of red decoration.You can hear drums and people laughing everywhere.The whole city is in seasons of joy.

Ethiopian New Year

Written by HA from Ethiopia

My favorite holiday is Ethiopian new year. It is celebrated on September 1st. I wear Ethiopian cultural clothes and collect flowers from the garden to give to older people, and they give us money in. During this time, the land in my country is covered with beautiful flowers. Finally, I celebrate with the community and my family and eat doro wot, which is a traditional Ethiopian food. We thank God for the new year.

Vietnam's Tet Festival

Written by Anh from Vietnam

I'm Dao . I'm from Vietnam . I have been here for almost two years . I really like the holidays in here but my favorite holiday is Lunar New Year - Vietnam's Tet holiday. This time , we usually a long time off . It has around 7 days or more. The people will come back home to gather with their family . Actually , it just has 3 days from 1st to 3rd day of the first month of the new year following lunar calendar . The days before that , we have cleaned and decorated our home with peach blossom , apricot blossom , kumquat tree, big fruits plate .. We have also prepared the traditional food as sticky rice cake , picked scallions , pickled onion , boiled chicken , candies fruits , spring rools .. At the first time of 1st day , we watch fireworks , wish each other good health , happy and give lucky money to the children and old people and .We visit relatives . We go to the temple or Church to spray for a good and peacefully new year . We walk on the flower- roads and take some pictures . Additional , we join a the volunteer group to help poor people . I love my culture's custom although it need to clear some things as burn ghost money , house paper... I always feel comfortable when come back my home and meet all people I love after working hard of a year.

My favorite holiday

Written by ThuyAnh from Việt Nam

Everyone has a favorite holiday. But for me, the holiday I love and look forward to the most is (Tết Nguyên Đán) Lunar New Year.

Half a month before Tết, the spring atmosphere has already spread throughout every home and street. Young and old, rich and poor, everyone is excited to welcome spring. Stalls selling candied fruits, jams, and flowers are displayed everywhere. The sound of spring music echoes through every house."Tết, Tết, Tết is here! Tết has arrived in everyone's hearts." making the holiday even more joyous.

I was born and raised in Ho Chi Minh City and have celebrated over 40 Tết holidays, but I am still excited and look forward to my homeland's Tết. Like all Vietnamese people, everyone prepares a five-fruit tray for the New Year’s Eve offering, whether a simple or elaborate one. A pot of caramelized pork and eggs, a bowl of bitter melon soup, and sticky rice cake are indispensable every time spring returns.

After welcoming New Year's Eve, people will put on their beautiful attire to go to pagodas or churches to pray for a new year of good health, peace, and happiness. Children are the happiest because during Tết, they will receive lucky money envelopes from adults with many good wishes.

The following days are spent visiting relatives and friends to wish them a Happy New Year, sharing meals, and playing together. After the first three days of Tết, life returns to normal, but the spring atmosphere is still pervasive throughout Vietnam.

Spring is approaching again, and I eagerly look forward to it and pray that every home and every person lives in peace and happiness. May the world be free from war, natural disasters, and epidemics.

Happy New Year!

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