Studying abroad is a giant ball of new things. A new school, a new place to live, new food, and new customs to adapt to are only a few of the things on the long list of "new" that will be encountered on an international excursion. However, "new" does not solely have to be limited to coming into contact with new things. It can also be the establishment of something unique to you. This can include creating your own traditions to take back home with you to remind you of the fun times and fond memories that you made while you were abroad.

The perfect time for establishing these traditions is around the time of a holiday. That's not to say that's the only time that you can make your own traditions, but it will help make that time of year even more memorable. Traditions don't even have to be yearly! They can be monthly, or possibly weekly. A prime example of a weekly tradition is one that I established with some of my friends last semester before I left to study abroad. Every Wednesday night, we would go out for some poutine together. Thus, the tradition became known as Poutine Pwednesday (yes, the "P" in "Pwednesday" is pronounced), and it has continued even though I am away, albeit on a more sporadic basis.

Admittedly, some of my newly established traditions have only come into being to give me something to do in lieu of not being home for the traditions that I regularly take part in. For example, on Saint Patrick's Day, my family gets together at my grandparents' house for a dinner of corned beef and cabbage (like many families do). However, since I'm a 14 hour drive away, I obviously couldn't take part in the festivities. Also, due to Winter Storm Stella, travel back home isn't exactly ideal anyway. So, instead of a delicious home cooked dinner, I went to the dining hall and had some ribs instead. While ribs, potatoes, and corn are a far cry from corned beef, cabbage, and other mixed vegetables, I can see it being a suitable replacement and an alternate tradition should the need arise again in the future.

Of course, not all traditions revolve around food. Sometimes it can just be about getting together with friends and continuing to get to know each other, or to catch up on events that have been missed. Your traditions don't even necessarily have to involve other people. A tradition can be going out for a walk on your own on a sunny day. It can be settling in with a cup of hot tea and a good book whenever it's rainy. Almost anything can become a tradition if the right emotions are behind it. Maybe it's time to go and create some new traditions of your own.