One of hundreds of Belfast students staying on campus over Christmas has spoken of the importance of “having a bubble” to battle loneliness when away from family over the holidays.
Gyan Wickremasinghe is a student at Queen’s, originally from Sri Lanka, who has been studying in Belfast for five years.
He is one of 800 students who spend their Christmas holidays at Queen’s University accommodation.
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We've got you covered; check out our latest blog: A Guide to Christmas in Belfast 🎄🎅🎁https://t.co/AAseOqhGCq pic.twitter.com/YFZrLWYCQd— Queen's Students' Union (@QueensSU_) December 14, 2023
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Mr Wickremasinghe said it gets a lot quieter on campus over Christmas, but that events in Belfast and around Queen’s help them to enjoy the break.
“It does get quieter, but I think that there’s also a lot of things happening in Belfast,” he said.
“So the Christmas markets are there and that excites me to actually go around with my friends and go to the markets and just enjoy the festivities there.”
He added: “Also the Student Union runs several events up to Christmas so that has helped me.
“At least it helps us to meet other students who are in the same boat as us, that we get to socialise with them and then we can be close friends, or we can meet them so that during the Christmas holidays when everyone’s back home we have people to talk to.
“So that kind of event helps us meet people who will be here in Belfast over Christmas, it gives us a bubble that we can interact with so we don’t feel alone.”
Mr Wickremasinghe said that for some international students, it was easier to stay on campus while the majority of students from the UK and Ireland travelled home.
“It was expensive to travel back home during Christmas, and also because we have a short holiday compared to summer it makes sense to stay here,” he said.
As for Christmas away from home this year, Mr Wickremasinghe said he plans to get together with his friends who are also studying abroad.
“My friends would call me up for Christmas dinner and we usually wear Christmas sweaters and go out for dinner together,” he said.
“Usually it’s a potluck and my friends are pretty much international students so we have food from different cultures and we enjoy the different festivities and it’s usually a fun night together. A good excuse to take a break anyways.”
Vice-chancellor at Queen’s, Professor Ian Greer, said the university aims to support the international students throughout the year, including over the festive period.
“Queen’s University welcomes people from right across the globe and many students come to Belfast alone or with their families, making it their home while they study, while many eventually make it their permanent home,” he said.
“We put our students and staff first throughout the year as evidenced this year with our cost-of-living support funding and we have worked closely with the Student Union to provide hot lunches and information on keeping warm in the home, and have lots of initiatives throughout the year.”
Vice-president of students and corporate service Caroline Young said Queen’s has planned a range of initiatives to help students not travelling home for the holidays.
“We will provide a range of support from practical help to a few little treats, making it as enjoyable experience as we can for those who are spending the festive season on campus,” she said.
“Included will be support like free access to washing facilities, free parking and increased heating hours.
“But we have also put plans in place to deliver selection boxes to all families staying in university accommodation, survival packs, pamper packs, mince pies, sweets and hot drinks from December 22 to January 2.
“The university has also arranged sightseeing day trips to the Mournes and the North Coast.
“We will have staff on campus day and night to provide a range of support and we hugely appreciate the work they do.”
Ms Young said measures are also in place to ensure that the Queen’s wellbeing team will check in on students to allay any concerns they may have over the holiday period.
