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How TRU international students are celebrating Christmas at a closed campus

International students and TRU World staff have plans to go rock climbing over the winter break
Image Credit: TRU World - ISAP Facebook page

KAMLOOPS - While most of us are packing our bags or prepping guest rooms for visitors this weekend, there are some who will be spending their white Christmas in a foreign country.

Of the 1,750 international students at TRU, more than 100 will be spending their holiday season on campus, which will be closed for holidays until Jan. 4.

“There’s actually quite a bit going on,” Adrian Conradi with TRU World says.

The international body of the university is teaming up with McGill residence to offer students a few activities over the break. The events are mainly geared for new students arriving to the campus, but Conradi says students staying over the holidays have offered to take on a leadership role and provide newcomers with an orientation.

From Dec. 28 to New Year's Eve there will be an activity planned for each day, from movies to rock climbing and visiting the wildlife park. Once new students arrive, there are plans for Blazers games and going tubing at Harper Mountain.

Conradi says Christian students have connected with local church groups for the holidays as well.

"Many African students have their own church here with a pastor from Zimbabwe,” he says.

Brandon De Krieger, the resident services supervisor at the other TRU residence, says there’s a few activities available for students staying over the holidays. A movie marathon is scheduled for Christmas Eve and on Christmas Day there will be a turkey dinner potluck.

"We have over 100 people staying with us this break,” he says, adding this year is ‘wonky’ compared to others because it’s a shorter holiday break.

The exam period lasted until yesterday, Dec. 22, and next year’s semester is scheduled to begin Jan. 4.

“Usually we have more time,” he says, noting for some students, a flight home wouldn’t be worth the effort.

De Krieger says the majority of the international students living in dorms are from China and a number of African countries.

To contact a reporter for this story, email Glynn Brothen at gbrothen@infonews.ca, or call 250-319-7494. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.

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