Although some boarders can sign out for the weekend for special occasions, many students who board have to spend important holidays far from their homes and families.  

Students at Williston come from many different places and backgrounds, having many students half the world away from their homeland. Because of the distance put between these students and their families, many spend holidays and birthdays away from loved ones and their homes.  

At Williston, we are kept occupied, almost at all times, and because of that, sometimes it can be difficult to find time for important events such as family events and holidays.  

With all of his family being back in Germany, Dominik Behrens ’20 describes celebrating holidays and important events as “rather hard.”  “Yeah, it pretty much is very hard, because I am not in the environment I am used to.”  

Due to the 19 hours of flying it takes to get to Vladivostok, Russia, sophomore Nik Tokarskiy is forced to spend many holidays, including his birthday, away from home.  

“I used to meet up with my friends, like my three close friends, and we all had birthdays in April, and we had been celebrating together for five years already,” said Nik, adding that he’s gotten over it, but it was difficult at first to be so far away.  

The Willistonian also spoke with Laurent Benhaddouche, from Hong Kong, about his experience of being away from his family for holidays.  

“I guess it can be difficult,” stated Laurent, “but the truth is, I get to go back home in March for spring break. It can be sad to think about at times, but I am able to manage”  

In the words of everyone I was able to speak with, many of these students are all right with being away from home and have found ways to deal with the distance.  

Because Seoul, South Korea is 6780 miles away from Easthampton, Chris Park ’20 is unable to spend many holidays with loved ones at home.  

“Sometimes it can be difficult to think that I am missing out, but what I am doing here is important, and I am also able to celebrate with the friends I have made here,” Chris said.