International Student Newsletter

Dear International Students,

Welcome to the December issue of the newsletter. As the end of the semester approaches, in the Announcements section, explore tools to help navigate finals and lower the stress by attending one of the ERC’s Get Ready for Finals workshops. Also, consider attending the Student Health Services Mindfulness Meditation workshop or the BU Dance Program end of semester dance classes to encourage mental and physical wellness during finals. Also, visit the newly open LGBTQIA+ Student Resource Center (808 Comm Ave, 2^nd Floor) to study, socialize or participate in a program! Lastly, if you are staying in Boston during winter intersession, check out BU Diversity & Inclusion’s Neighborhood Guide and BU Today’s recommendations on the best holiday lights around the city. In the Student Experiences section, meet undergraduate student Simran Raikundalia (CAS’25), who reflects on her campus engagement outside of classes, and shares advice on balancing academic and non-academic commitments. In Culture Corner learn about Yankee Swap and White Elephant, the two popular gift giving games in the U.S. during the winter holidays.

We wish you the best of luck with your projects and final exams, and an enjoyable winter break! Congratulations to all graduating Terriers!

Announcements

Get Ready for Finals

Attend the Finals are Coming! And Open Study workshops by the ERC to help you get ready for finals. Then attend a Mindfulness Meditation workshop offered by Student Health Services to reduce stress and encourage calmness and mental and physical wellness, or one of the BU Dance Programs end of semester dance classes on December 13 at the FitRec: hip hop (12-1 pm; (L131/132); stretch and relaxation (1-2 pm, L126/128).

New LGBTQIA+ Center

The new LGBTQIA+ Student Resource Center is open! Stop by Monday through Friday, 9:30 am-5 pm to study, socialize, or participate in a program! Join the Center for two programs this month: 1. Come make friendship bracelets on Thursday, December 14 at 2 pm and 2. Build a gingerbread house on Tuesday, December 19 at 3 pm.

Neighborhood Guide

Are you staying in Boston during the winter intersession? Check out BU Diversity & Inclusion’s Neighborhood Guide, featuring interesting facts about neighborhoods around Boston, and recommendations on restaurants and local businesses in each neighborhood. Also, check out BU Today’s recommendations on where to see Boston’s eight best holiday lights.

Upcoming Events

Full Calendar

Student Experiences

A Word from Students

BU undergraduate student, Simran Raikundalia (CAS’25) reflects on her campus engagement outside of classes, and shares advice with international students on how to balance academic and non-academic commitments.

Read the Full Story

Culture Corner

Gift giving games during the winter holidays

During the winter holidays, many families in the U.S. celebrate by getting together with family and friends, watching classic holiday movies, decorating their homes, and exchanging presents. Two common gift giving games are Yankee Swap and White Elephant. Both games are a great way to get into the holiday spirit and celebrate with family, friends, and co-workers.

Game similarities:

Everyone participating has to bring a wrapped gift, usually of similar value (e.g., $30)
Everyone draws a number which determines the order of turns
When it is a person’s turn, they can take a new gift or take from someone else
At the end of the game, everyone gets a gift
It’s common to set a “theme” for the gift exchange (e.g., practical presents; homemade presents)

Game differences:

The main difference is how “taking” or “thieving” a gift from someone works. In the White Elephant game, before a person opens a gift from the table, they have to choose: either open a new gift, or steal one from someone who already opened a gift. If they choose to steal, then their turn is done, and the person who was stolen from (and who now has no gift) can choose to either open a new gift, or keep the stealing going. Each gift can only be stolen twice per game At the end, the first player may, if desired, steal any gift.

In the Yankee Swap game, the player gets to open a gift from the table first. Once they see what they get, they can then choose to end their turn (and keep the gift) or swap with another person.

Source and more information about the games, and regional variations can be found here.