When Cork isn't home at Christmas time

It’s hard being away from home at Christmas, yet Marjorie Brennan finds international students here are far from homesick

As Christmas exams are completed and students pack their rucksacks and begin the annual exodus home from campuses around the country, there are thousands of international students for whom the festive season means a long break without the comforts of home and family. However, that doesn’t mean they miss out on the joy and conviviality of Christmas celebrations.

According to Niamh Lynes of the international office at Cork Institute of Technology, the college has a diverse student body and a conscious effort is made to ensure they have support over the festive season.