It is probably safe to say that Paul Kithinji has never dreamt of a white Christmas.

Although, five years ago the senior finance major was living in Meru, Kenya and had never even seen snow. Five years later, however, the cold weather and the snowy conditions aren’t the only differences Paul has to deal with during the holiday season.

“The main difference is the temperature, and the snow,” said the native of Kenya, where temperatures are currently in the high 80s. “The first time I saw snow is when I was here, and I was excited to see it, but after a while you can’t take it any more.”

Paul is just one of the many international students who left their homes and families to pursue a degree at the university. Having not returned home in over four years, not only has Paul’s way of life changed, but the way he celebrates holidays has drastically changed as well.

While Paul’s hometown doesn’t have Santa Claus and many of the bells and whistles that come with Christmas, the holiday season is celebrated much like it is here. His family attends church service and gets together over a meal to celebrate the festive season.

Now in BG, however, Paul spends his holiday season relaxing and hanging out with friends, but says he misses his traditional Christmas with his family.

“During the holidays is when you get the most homesick. I will call home and talk to my family, but even then the phone call is really expensive,” Paul said. “I just miss getting together with family, and I really miss the food.”

With his fourth Christmas away from home fast approaching, Paul admits they are getting easier to deal with each year.

“The first Christmas was the most difficult. There were not a lot of Kenyan people here, but now that there are more it is becoming easier to deal with,” Paul said. “Now I just kickback and relax with friends. Friends really help.”

Other than celebrating Christmas and New Year’s during the holidays, Paul and other Kenyan students also celebrate Independence Day. December 12, which marks the anniversary of Kenya’s Independence, is typically celebrated with barbecues and cookouts in his hometown. With the cold temperatures in Bowling Green, however, Paul and his friends still get together and celebrate, but not with a cookout.

Despite being away from friends and family during the holidays and having to deal with the cold weather and the snow, Paul is glad he made a decision to come to Bowling Green.

“It is much more stressful here,” Paul said. “But I think at the end of the day it will be worth it.”