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

MY FAVOURITE HOLIDAY

Written by INES from Tunisia

My favorite holiday is named "Eid El Fitr", one of the most important Muslim holidays coming after a month of fasting.

I loved it most because I could spend time with my family, share food, prayer our morning prayers with our community, meet distant relatives, neighbors and friends.

On this beautiful day, everyone got new clothes to wear to celebrate a new beginning and we were gifted toys or money.

When I was a child, I loved collecting my Eid money and saving it carefully in my little pocket.

I also loved our big family feast and all the traditional sweets.

I remember my mom making her Eid treats—handmade with love and placing them on the table in the middle of the living room. Everyone who visited us had to taste them.

Now, "Eid" comes again, but in new place, with new streets and new voices. Its very different but my feelings stay the same.

I try to hold onto the traditions I have known since childhood by waking up early, dressing my child in new clothes, trying me to prepare special sweets like my mom once did and having a big diner with my little family and new friends I've recently met.

I teach my child what Eid means like my parents taught me before.

I show them how to say “Eid Mubarak,” how to give, how to share and how to enjoy this day with love and family, I try to keep the tradition and holiday alive.

My favorite holiday is Eid

Written by Shakilla S from Afghanistan

My favorite holiday is Eid with family and friends.
I can drive and clean house.
My country’s special food is Qabeli Palaw
I am happy on Eid. We go to my family and friend’s house and buy cakes and cookie. I cook special food.

Family gathering by the Mediterranean Sea

Written by Diana from Egypt

Every Summer we used to spend 2 weeks together with my mom, dad , siblings and their families in Alexandria, Egypt, a beautiful city by the Mediterranean Sea. Alexandria is not like any coastal city; it’s full of history, culture, and great food. Everyday we go to the beach to enjoy the bright sun, the sea cool breeze, and of course a nice swim. In the afternoon we would go get lunch at one of those beautiful seafood restaurants overlooking the sea. In the evenings we usually spend time in of the numerous coffee shops scattered at the seafront. Sometimes since I love shopping everywhere I go I would grab everybody and head to the city center, a mega sized shopping center a few miles outside the city. Even though we do the same routine everyday, we enjoy it as if it was the first time. In my opinion, a good vacation is not just about where to go, but also about who comes with you. Spending such beautiful moments with family and kids is priceless.

Mid-Autumn Festival—in my childhood

Written by Mei Ying from Malaysia

I was born in Malaysia, a country which mix cultures, religions, races, and even languages. People are used to celebrate different holidays and festivals throughout the year. Muslim communities celebrate Hari Raya, Indian communities celebrate Deepavali, and Chinese communities celebrate Lunar New Year.

Diwali

Written by PS from India

Imagine the night sky is filled with bright colors, colorful fireworks, and happy laughter everywhere—that is called Diwali. Diwali is one of the biggest and most joyful festivals in India. It's called the festival of lights. In the North, people celebrate Diwali to make the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after 14 years of forest living and his victory over the demon king Ravana. In the South, Lord Krishna defeated the demon Narakasura in the south. Before Diwali, people clean the house and decorate their houses and create designs called rangoli on the floor using the powder or sand and flowers. They light up the small oil lamps called diya. People buy new clothes, prepare sweets, and share food with friends and families. On Diwali night, people perform the pooja, especially to Goddess Lakshmi for prosperity. Lastly, fireworks light up the sky, and children enjoy bursting crackers. The whole neighborhood looks bright and beautiful. Diwali teaches us to always be good; good always wins over evil, and lights remove darkness. It is a time for happiness, togetherness, and spreading love and peace.

The festival of light

Written by Preeti from India

Diwali is an Indian festival. Diwali, also known as Deepawali, is one of the most famous festivals of lights. It is a five-day-long festival. It comes in October or November. This festival celebrates the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile and his victory over Ravana. At night fireworks make the sky bright and beautiful. Diwali teaches us to remove darkness and spread light, love, and positivity everywhere.

My Special Eid Celebration

Written by Arezo from Afghanistan

My favorite holiday is Eid. Eid is a very special holiday for me and my family. We celebrate it two times each year. On Eid morning, we wear new clothes and get ready early. My family cooks delicious food like rice, meat, sweets, and sometimes we make homemade bread. We go to the mosque to pray together and thank God for everything we have.

Holiday

Written by Noorjahan from Afghanistan

Our country has many traditional and cultural holiday some of which have a special place. And each one symbolizes ancient traditions and values.

Yalda

Written by Neda from Iran

Yalda is one of the popular celebration in Iran

My name is Neda from Iran and want to share the story of Yalda.

We have celebrated Yalda for 2500 years,since our first empire.

Yalda is the longest night, last night of autumn,at December 21th. The story behind Yalda is,after long night and darkness,the sun is rising.

All family get together,usually at older’s home.

We chat , listen to memories and read poems from our famous poet’s book.His name is Hafez from Shiraz, to find our fortune,some people believe it.

Three items are tradition to have at Yalda,

Pomegranate,different nuts and watermelon.

Yalda is my favorite celebration.

Yalda nights

Written by Sahel from Iran

The cold wind in the backyard took my mind back home to Iran and brought back beautiful memories of Yalda.

Yalda is a Persian celebration and the longest night of the year. After this night, the days begin to grow longer little by little. It is an ancient Iranian tradition with roots going back over 3,000 years and is celebrated on December 20th. Families gather together and stay up past midnight.

I have many beautiful memories from those nights. We would set a table full of symbolic foods like pomegranates, watermelon, nuts, and dried fruits, and each item on the table had a special meaning. An ancient Persian belief says that eating pomegranate on Yalda protects you from illness and misfortune throughout the winter.

One of the loveliest parts of Yalda for me was reading poems from Hafez, the famous poet. We would take our fortune from his poems. We would make a wish, open the book at random, and whichever poem appeared was considered the answer to our wish.

Back then, I didn’t appreciate those moments and thought life would always stay the same. Now that I am far from my family, I cherish every second.

Yalda Night

Written by Maryam from Iran

Today, I want to tell you about a special night in the Persian culture called Yalda night. Yalda night is the last night of autumn, and the longest and darkest night of the year. It happens on December 20 or 21, when winter season begins.

My beautiful country

Written by Mildred from Guatemala

Hi my name is Mildred. I am from San Marcos, Guatemala. My country is beautiful and colorful, It is surrounded by beautiful landscapes.

I love my country because it’s full of friendly people.

My favorite place is the Central Park.

I love each of its traditions and I feel very proud to belong to this beautiful place. My holiday tradition is make games with my family and share gifts and share dinner.

Mother’s Day, Seen Differently

Written by Monica from Venezuela

When I was a child, I used to think Mother’s Day wasn’t important. It felt like just another commercial holiday, and sometimes I didn’t even spend much time with my mom.

This changed completely when I became a mother myself. Only then I realized how essential a mother is. My perspective shift and i began to value the time spent with my mom and celebrate the day in a meaningful way.

Since then, I had many beautiful Mother’s Days with her, and even though she is not here with me now, I treasure those moments deeply.

That’s why Mother’s Day became my favorite holiday. Thanks to my mom and my child, I understand how important mothers are in every home. In my family, we celebrate with flowers, small gifts, music, and delicious dishes to honor the women who keep everything together.

En mi bella tierra (It's a wonderful land)

Written by Maria Ramirez from Venezuela

It's a wonderful land I was born in a wonderful land. We call it the land of the beloved sun Maracaibo. [Sun shines over all zulianos]. Our land celebrates every November 18 the day of the patron saint: The Virgin of the Rosary of Chiquinquira “La Chinita “.

The basilica is adorned with multicolored lights. We welcome you with flowers, oh my sacred chinita; for a pilgrim people who will never forget you, not even being at a distance from your sacred altar because your children, wherever we are will raise our sonngs and prayers to heaven to pay tribute to you, holy mother today from other lands, every zulianos longs to see your beautiful dark face, but we are, certain that under your mantle you protect us and make us trasparent in the face of adversity.

Page updated

Report abuse