2008 Woodie Awards
Home for the holidays
International student flies home to celebrate Joulud with family
Patrick Barb
Issue date: 12/7/06 Section: News
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Christmas is to Joulud, as eggnog is to glöqi. Such comparisons are what make being more than 5,000 miles away from her home in Estonia bearable for Marelle Lempets.
"Joulud is family. It's the time I get to go home," Lempets said. "It's the best time of the year where I meet old friends and presents aren't that important to me."
Lempets, who is attending GCCC and plays volleyball, hasn't been home since Winter Break last year. She said she is looking forward to returning home to Tallinn, Estonia, to see family and friends, as well as celebrating holiday traditions with which she is familiar.
"Last year, on Joulud, was the last time I went home," Lempets said. "It's the one time I get to go home because of the cost."
Lempets said it costs more than a $1,000 to travel to and from home so she is only able to go once each year.
"Last year I worked [to raise money to go], but now my family covers some of it. Everyone wants to see me so they all help."
Being with her family means more to her than the gifts she receives.
"We give presents and have a nice, big dinner with the cousins and everyone," Lempets said. "Over here in America, everyone grabs a present and in Estonia we're more about family. I feel that over here, it's like it's for the gifts."
Lempets said gift giving in Estonia is similar to the American custom.
"I bought most of my presents from here," Lempets said. "It's just something different for my family. We don't do surprise gifts. We always ask. It's good to get what you need."
Just as American students look forward to getting time off, so do students in Estonia. However, Lempets said Estonian students only get Dec. 24 followed by a two-week break.
"In Russia and the East countries, Christmas is on Jan. 7," Lempets, said. "They celebrate it slightly different where the kids like it more because they get presents twice. Nikola Petrovic, my coach, is from Serbia and he celebrates it on Jan. 7."
"Joulud is family. It's the time I get to go home," Lempets said. "It's the best time of the year where I meet old friends and presents aren't that important to me."
Lempets, who is attending GCCC and plays volleyball, hasn't been home since Winter Break last year. She said she is looking forward to returning home to Tallinn, Estonia, to see family and friends, as well as celebrating holiday traditions with which she is familiar.
"Last year, on Joulud, was the last time I went home," Lempets said. "It's the one time I get to go home because of the cost."
Lempets said it costs more than a $1,000 to travel to and from home so she is only able to go once each year.
"Last year I worked [to raise money to go], but now my family covers some of it. Everyone wants to see me so they all help."
Being with her family means more to her than the gifts she receives.
"We give presents and have a nice, big dinner with the cousins and everyone," Lempets said. "Over here in America, everyone grabs a present and in Estonia we're more about family. I feel that over here, it's like it's for the gifts."
Lempets said gift giving in Estonia is similar to the American custom.
"I bought most of my presents from here," Lempets said. "It's just something different for my family. We don't do surprise gifts. We always ask. It's good to get what you need."
Just as American students look forward to getting time off, so do students in Estonia. However, Lempets said Estonian students only get Dec. 24 followed by a two-week break.
"In Russia and the East countries, Christmas is on Jan. 7," Lempets, said. "They celebrate it slightly different where the kids like it more because they get presents twice. Nikola Petrovic, my coach, is from Serbia and he celebrates it on Jan. 7."
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