Winter break wonders
Young students worldwide craft unique winter breaks, with each adventure shaping their perspectives and forging connections, Li Xinran reports.
When it comes to winter breaks, young students around the world spend this recharging time in their own way. “Gen Zers tend to have a wide variety of hobbies, and there are more subcultures compared to other generations. We also tend to express ourselves more and explore the world on our own terms,” said 23-yearold Zhang Yuze.
Zhang is a graduate student at New York University, studying management and systems. He exemplifies this diversity with his unique winter break adventure — traveling to Europe during the monthlong break.
Accompanied by his girlfriend, Zhang explored eight cities in Italy and Spain, including Rome, Venice, and Madrid, all within 18 days.
“Our goal was to recharge ourselves. So instead of following a tight schedule, we made a rough plan and did most of the detailed planning along the way and adjusted it based on our conditions,” he said.
Rome stood out as Zhang’s favorite destination, captivating him with its living history and ancient architecture. “You’re constantly surrounded by historical relics and ancient buildings. Even in front of our hotel, they’re still doing archaeological excavation, adding a sense of living in history,” he said.
Their visit to the Colosseum, where they secured spots on an English guided tour, provided more insights into the historical context. “For instance, our guide told us that some people’s minds would wander off during the fights and they would draw on bricks to kill time,” Zhang said. “We were able to see some of the doodles preserved in the Colosseum Museum, which was quite intriguing.”
The couple celebrated New Year’s Eve in Seville, Spain, witnessing a unique local tradition of grape-eating at midnight, which they learned from Xiaohongshu, a Chinese lifestyle-sharing platform, and also from their hotel’s receptionist.
“Approaching midnight, local people would gather at the city square. Instead of doing countdowns, they would strike the clock 12 times. Legend says if you eat one grape per clock-strike, 12 grapes symbolize 12 months of good luck for the coming year,” said Zhang. “It was a pity that local markets closed early that day and we couldn’t buy grapes. Maybe next time.”
Zhang had memorable experiences interacting with locals during his visits to Italy and Spain. “Visiting these two countries, I found that Spanish are more extroverted, energetic, and hospitable,” he said. “For example, when we had trouble understanding the menu at a restaurant, the staff kindly explained it to us in English.”
In contrast, he highlighted the romantic sentiment and fashionable taste of the Italians. “You can constantly spot flower shops on the streets. And whether it’s a big city or a small town, almost every passerby’s outfit is quite stylish. Even elder gentlemen would wear fashionable winter coats and leather shoes.”
More unbeaten paths
While Zhang explored the world firsthand, Li Zhiyu, a 20-year-old junior at The University of Sydney, Australia, spent her time off differently.
Australia’s winter break is equivalent to the summer breaks in the US and UK in terms of length.
Although Li is pursuing a Bachelor of Liberal Arts and Sciences in film studies, she has to earn almost the same credits in terms of major courses and science courses.
“I’ll have to take these math classes sooner or later. Three months vs three weeks? I’ll take the latter,” she said.
As Li finished her study quota for the winter break, she was able to dedicate more time to her favorite recreation, Spartan Race. It’s a series of obstacle races of varying difficulties and durations, including the Spartan Sprint, the Spartan Super, the Spartan Beast, and the Spartan Ultra.
Li usually goes for the Spartan Ultra, which is over 50 kilometers long and has more than 60 obstacles. Or sometimes, she would choose the Spartan Beast, which is 21 kilometers and has more than 30 obstacles.
“It depends on what races are available at the event,” she said.
Her fascination with Spartan Race began in December 2022 when she stumbled upon an event in Shenzhen, not far from her hometown, Foshan, in South China’s Guangdong province.
“That sounds fun, why not?” she recalled.
Without much hesitation, she dedicated nearly six hours to complete her first Spartan Beast, returning home covered in mud and bruises. “My mom asked me if I had been in a fight with someone,” she recalled amusingly.
Having completed Spartan Races in various locations, including Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, and Fiji, Li values the diverse challenges posed by different landscapes.
“It’s like cross-country with obstacles,” she said. “I enjoyed the desert in Abu Dhabi, the horse farm in Fiji, and the steep slopes of Chongli in Hebei province.”
Beyond physical fitness, Li also credits the sport for introducing her to like-minded friends and instilling a resilient mindset to face different challenges in life.
“I have become more extroverted and willing to break out of my comfort zone,” she said. “Now whenever I run into a challenge in life, it seems trivial. Like during a race, I’ll just tell myself: as long as I keep moving, I’ll reach the finish line.”
Li has a rough outline in terms of her future plans. Just like her sports-driven mindset, she’s always ready to tackle new challenges.
“I prefer to take things one step at a time,” Li said. “I’ll figure out what comes next after college and graduate school. However, I’m committed to participating in the Spartan Race as long as my schedule and budget allow.”
Unexpected plans
Li’s philosophy aligns with Zhang Yuxin’s approach to life — make plans but avoid overplanning.
Zhang Yuxin, a graduate student at Central Saint Martins, UK, is studying innovation management. Her winter break was filled with surprises, and she enjoyed every moment.
For instance, upon a friend and alumna’s invite, she helped curate a Christmas popup store for the brand Momonary, which will be entering the upcoming London Fashion Week in February.
On New Year’s Eve, she had a sudden change of plan and went to Haikou, South China’s Hainan province, to attend the countdown show of Hunan Satellite TV for the years 2023-2024.
“Whenever an opportunity arises, seize it, even if it seems ‘crazy’ or out of your league at first glimpse,” she said. “At this point in my life, I think the most important thing is to learn more about myself, explore the world, and connect with people around me. Make plans, but always be open to unexpected changes.”
The trip to Haikou left a lasting impression on her. She was captivated by the city’s fast development and also its diverse culture and endless possibilities.
“You can be laid-back and chill, or you can start your own projects or business,” she said. “I think Chinese students who have studied abroad could easily adapt to the atmosphere here.”
Despite her brief visit, the city significantly influenced her future plans. She intends to return to Haikou after completing her master’s degree at CSM.
“In European countries, it seems like we would be job hunting. However, in China, our focus is more on building a career. In our home country, there are numerous opportunities where we can make a substantial impact,” she said. “I hope there will be more policies to make it easier for students studying abroad to transition back to their home country and to explore more cities with potential, just like Haikou.”