An email lands in your inbox. It is a note from your university, letting you know that all teaching and academic work are about to wind down and wishing you a restful vacation during winter break. It is also not hard to tell from the shorter days, dropping temperatures, and holiday decorations on the street that the holiday season is approaching. Throughout December, when you meet your supervisors, colleagues, and friends, you probably notice that nearly every conversation ends with this question: So, what are your plans for winter break?

After spending three months settling in the UK and finally finding your own rhythm, you may realise that, as an international student, this simple question is not always easy to answer. Indeed, the winter break can be a transitional moment when the world around you pauses or slows down, and you naturally turn inward, grounding yourself and nurturing your well-being.

So what does winter break mean for the well-being of international students, especially for those who cannot return to their home countries? For many international students, winter break is more than just a break; it is a particular moment to make sense of our emotional shifts, adjust to changes in daily routines, and navigate uncertainties and anxieties. I remember during my first winter break, I was caught between excitement and disorientation. After spending a few happy days with my friend in Newcastle, I went back to Lancaster and suddenly felt very lonely and nostalgic because my housemates and friends in Lancaster had either gone back home or travelled elsewhere. Meanwhile, after taking a pause in my research, I started to feel anxious because I did not know what to do next, or whether I was still on the right track. I was even worried that taking a long break might end up slowing down my research progress. So, during the winter break, I found myself swinging back and forth between holiday celebrations and my own doubts, which made me realise just how important winter break was for my mental health during my first year abroad.

Looking back, I realise that I was not the only one facing these challenges. However, winter break can also be a perfect time window to reflect, re-adjust, and reconnect: all of which are critical to nurture our well-being at this time of the year.

First, winter break creates a little quiet space for you to reflect on what you have done throughout the year. Take a moment to give yourself some credit for how far you have achieved, and allow yourself to have a proper break! This self-acknowledgement is the starting point for protecting your well-being. Second, it gives you a headspace to readjust to a slower mode. As we know, studying for a PhD is like having a full-time job. However, winter break is a perfect time to let you recharge yourself by letting yourself relax first without guilt. Slowing down a bit can help your mind and body recover from the intense schedule of this semester. Third, accept all your emotional turbulence and feelings of homesickness. Taking a step back and then reconnecting with yourself and the world can help you feel more balanced. It is absolutely normal to miss your family and friends back home: you know how proud they are of you! Give yourself that validation, too. Meanwhile, do not forget to reach out to your new friends, connect to local communities, and enjoy the festive vibe!

Taking care of your well-being also means knowing when and where to seek support. Here are some other sources of support you can turn to:

• Detailed support around welfare and wellbeing (both institutional and North-West-specific) can be found on our website: https://www.nwcdtp.ac.uk/home/current-students/student-support/welfare-support/
• Mind Manchester has an online ‘self-care hub’, which has some useful tips: https://www.manchestermind.org/our-services/wellbeing-hub/
• One Day at Christmas is an initiative run by the UK events industry to support people who experience loneliness at Christmas: https://www.onedayatchristmas.com/
• The Marmalade Trust (an award-winning charity dedicated to raising awareness of loneliness) has launched a ‘Christmas Cheer’ project that offers support and companionship over the winter break: https://www.marmaladetrust.org/christmas
• Many churches and religious centres remain open throughout the Christmas period and offer warm, welcoming spaces for anyone feeling lonely or isolated. It may be worth having a look in your local area and seeing if there are any activities you can take part in.

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