Living abroad as an expat might bring its benefits and opportunities, but when it comes to the end of the year, some general concerns arise over Christmas and New Year's celebrations. Where to go? With whom should one celebrate? But now, amidst the pandemic, it is more challenging: will expats be able to go back to their home countries or travel for tourism?
As the Omicron Covid-19 variant spreads around the globe, many countries are reapplying measures to contain the virus, such as requesting a PCR test even for vaccinated people and cancelling flights (from and to) some countries. Fifty-one countries have already closed their borders — only citizens, residents returning home, or people in other exceptional circumstances may enter. Switzerland, Portugal, and the UK are some countries requesting the PCR for all who enter the country.
Christmas plans
Miranda Fiedler is an expat from Switzerland, living in Spain, who's anxious to know if she will be able to travel to her home country for Christmas. “This year, I am planning on spending Christmas with my family in my home country and also visit my German part of the family on the other side of the border, given that is possible under the coronavirus restrictions still now”. Last year Miranda didn't spend Christmas in her home country, as she was in Peru. Therefore there are family members that she hasn't seen in almost two years. Although she will have to have a PCR test, this year would be “a more normal Christmas again", she says, if the restrictions allow it.
Julia Bahia, a Brazilian expat in Spain, isn't coming back home as flights to South America are very expensive, so she is planning to have dinner with friends she met while studying in Madrid. There are many expats in the same situation as Julia, so dinner in the new country might be a good idea for all, even if it's not the sort of celebration they were used to. “As they are many people from different and more distant countries, we thought of each one making a typical food from their region to bring a little of this cultural exchange to this festive moment”.
New Year's celebration
In any pre-pandemic year, most expats were likely to already have a new year's plan and a plan B by December or at least know with whom they would spend, but this year is different. While they have some ideas for Christmas, for New Year's, they don't know what to expect. “I will be in my home country Switzerland because I booked tickets to be there for the whole break. This leads me right to the challenges I have encountered this year when organizing my celebrations", says Miranda.
Julia, from Brazil, has not defined her plans yet, but she is planning a trip that won't be affected by Covid-19 restrictions. “I'll probably travel to another city in Spain (possibly Barcelona) with Brazilian friends. Then, look at a party or whatever is happening in the city, as our expectations are already different from what we usually do for the New Year in Brazil.” For her, meeting other Brazilian expats at this time of the year is important. “New Year's Eve is a celebration that I've always spent with friends, so this helps me to feel comfortable".
Expats are also seeing some possible challenges in organizing their celebrations this year. They do not dare to plan shorter trips as usual because of Covid-19 restrictions and fear of getting infected. This is exactly what happened to a one-week trip to Egypt Miranda planned in January – “My flights got cancelled when news of the Omicron variant made the rounds.”
Besides Covid-19, expats have to deal with relationship issues: due to being away for most of the time, it is hard to keep in touch with local friends. As a result, some friendships might have broken or vanished, as Miranda relates to: “My main friend group has been falling apart more and more as all of them have started different studies and careers and built new circles. So, it will probably not be a celebration with all my close friends from the high school time since they will be scattered around". And on top of that, whether expats will be able to go out or not, big indoor events might be cancelled due to the new pandemic restrictions.
On the other hand, Miranda sees this time of the year as a chance to reconnect with old friends and see her boyfriend. “Of course, I would prefer to go on some trip to the beach somewhere far away with him instead of staying in cold Switzerland, but this year, it will be hard to coordinate vacations in this way.”
Away from home at the end of the year
Although this might sound cliché, many expats may just not feel away from home. After living in 6 different countries, Miranda feels at home everywhere. “I feel differently in all; each place relates to a different version of myself. So it's hard to feel completely at home in just one place because there will always be people and things missing”, she comments.
There are several challenges for expats who are spending their end of the year abroad. For Julia, the issue is to be miles away from home. “I feel a little sad to be away from family and friends. I am very close to my affective cycle, and this will make a lot of difference this year, and especially in these pandemic times”.
What do expats miss?
While it is homesickness for the presence of family and friends, the weather or the food, expats always have something they miss in their home countries, and that feeling can be overwhelming during the end of the year celebrations. “I miss Brazilian culture and cuisine, but I focus on what I gain from being where I am: the new experiences, the new way of seeing the social and cultural dynamics of Europe, and the possibilities that open up from being in a completely new place with a lot to see”.
Opening up to the possibility of living in another country is not easy, but at the same time, it brings learnings that are only understandable when experienced. Miranda from Switzerland misses the typical things from her place: the chocolate and the mountains. But luckily, this year, she will get to ski for a few days if Switzerland continues with the activity opened. “It's one of my favourite things in the world, but I haven't been able to do it a lot these past years.” Although she misses her family, boyfriend, and old friends, living in Spain allows her to study for the Master's degree she wanted in one year instead of two. "Besides, what drove me to Spain is the warmer climate and warmer people, which I found here. It's amazing to be surrounded by such an international group of people. This would not have happened if I had stayed in Switzerland".
