The holiday season was a magical time, especially for international students at the Czech University of Life Sciences (CZU) in Prague. Away from home, both international and Czech students celebrate familiar holiday traditions while also embracing new customs shared by those around them.
From December 2nd to 5th, the annual CZU Christmas market took place near the Rectorate and Aula, becoming a favourite event for students. The market offered a variety of items, including Christmas decorations, advent wreaths, candlesticks, wood products, and CZU merchandise. Visitors could also enjoy local delicacies such as Mělník wine from the CZU Winery, the university’s beer "Jeník", and food options ranging from sausages and Colombian refreshments to churros and, of course, "svařák" (Czech mulled wine). Many gathered around a fire pit in the middle of Aula Square to enjoy their treats while admiring the Christmas lights on the nearby decorated trees. In addition to the market, the university hosted holiday-themed craft workshops, where students created bath bombs, oil perfumes, lip balms, candlesticks, paper ornaments, and even custom wrapping paper. Christmas trees were also available for purchase, ready to be taken home and decorated.
The university faculties also organized special events to celebrate the season. The ambassadors at the Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences (FTZ) launched a “Christmas Swap” from December 9th to 19th, inviting participants to exchange unused clothes or items for something new brought by others. Meanwhile, the Faculty of Environmental Sciences (FZP) hosted a Christmas party on December 18th for its students and staff, featuring Christmas karaoke, free food, German mulled wine, and a gingerbread house-making workshop. The Faculty of Engineering (FE) held a festive Christmas party where attendees decorated a Christmas tree together while enjoying delicious food from various international backgrounds. And the Faculty of Economics and Management (PEF) organized a Christmas photo competition, encouraging participants to take creative holiday-themed photos with PEF-related content for a chance to win university merchandise.
Of course, spending Christmas away from home can be challenging, and homesickness often peaks during the holidays. Many students who cannot return home stay in Prague and find ways to make the season special. For example, Rodrigo, an international student who studies at FZP, shared that he plans to host a Christmas dinner with friends, while Barbara, a master's student at FZP as well, is travelling to Italy to celebrate with her sister, who also lives abroad.
Prague’s rich Christmas traditions provide a festive incentive for international students, adding a unique touch to their celebrations. Many students explore the city’s iconic Christmas markets at Old Town Square, Wenceslas Square, Náměstí Míru, and Náměstí Republiky. These markets offer sparkling decorations, handcrafted gifts, and traditional Czech treats like "trdelník" (a sweet pastry) and "vaječný koňak" (Czech eggnog).
Christmas at CZU was a heartwarming blend of traditions, community, and cultural exchange, ensuring that every student, whether local or international, feels the magic of the holiday season. Can’t wait to see how it goes next year!
Ivanka Maria Leporowski (student of Environmental Engineering bachelor's degree)