Winter break is a time of joy for students, marked by the end of the semester and a chance to reunite with families to celebrate the holiday. However, for international students, the enthusiasm is tempered by long travel times and expensive flight tickets, leaving them to stay on campus during the break. Additionally, the winter atmosphere at Wesleyan can feel cold and devoid of community. Therefore, when I stumbled upon a job listing to organize events during the winter break, I felt compelled to apply for the position.
Through this position, I had the opportunity to collaborate with fellow international students in planning and executing activities to foster community spirit. To ensure that our events align with the needs and interests of students during winter break, we distributed an interest form via email, revealing a preference, without surprise, for food-related events. As a result, we arranged for meals from local restaurants during Christmas and New Year’s Eve, as we knew that school dining would be closed on those days. They were nights of celebrations filled with laughter and conversation among students, bringing warmth to the winter chill.
The events exhausted around half of our budget, but this was expected. Therefore, it was fortunate that we meticulously planned our budget at the beginning of winter. The subsequent events we organized used significantly less money, yet were equally enjoyable. We utilized campus resources to minimize spending, including borrowing the campus projector for movie nights, utilizing the campus hill for winter sled activities, and using a friend’s living room for arts and crafts nights.
This job was a rewarding experience. Not only did I have the opportunity to meet with a group of incredible international students, but I also got to contribute to fostering a sense of community during the winter.
