Students studying abroad have shared their experience with spending Eid Al-Fitr on foreign soil. They say celebrating the festival away from their families lacks flavor. They are however mindful that they are required to be abroad due to their studies.

They say they rely on social networks and other Internet services to connect with their families and feel closer to home, while meeting with other students to enjoy and celebrate the festival together.

Mohammed Suleiman Al-Bluwi, a master’s student in Melbourne, said: “Eid has that flavor when you celebrate with families and friends, with everyone getting together at my grandfather’s house to exchange greetings, and being close to my mother and father, but we pray to God to bless us so that we return home successfully with good grades and degrees.”

He added: “This is the second Eid I spent outside my country, In Australia, a group of my friends and Saudi students got together to say Eid prayers and have lunch.”

About connecting with family back home during Eid, Hossam said he relies heavily on the Internet and programs such as Yahoo Messenger to feel closer to home.

Naser Al-Abdullah Al-Anzi, a marine science student at the University of Alexandria, said it was difficult for him to celebrate Eid away from family and friends. “This is the third holiday I spent away from home, but the Saudi students in the Egyptian Universities got together to say Eid prayers and attended the Saudi Students Club to take part in the festival together.”

Sara Al-Bluwi, a scholarship student in the UK, who is completing her master’s degree, said: “This was my first Eid outside my country, and it had been uneventful without my family and friends, but the Internet enabled me to feel closer to home as I connected with them.”

Azizza Al-Shamri, a student studying in the United States, stated: “This is the price we pay for being committed to our future, as we have to sacrifice to achieve something and return home with knowledge and expertise to serve our country.”

She said technology is helpful, but “no matter what, nothing compensates the feeling of being amid your family and kissing the head of your mother and father on the morning of Eid.”

Saudi students studying in Tennessee in the United States celebrated this Eid with a number of events, including some activities and games, as well as hosting a dinner for other students to make them feel they are celebrating the festival at home. The Islamic Center in Tennessee also joined the students in celebrations, while a number of families offered Saudi dishes to the 200 students in attendance.

Abdullah Ali Omar, who studies management at the University of Tennessee, said: “Despite being far from home, this celebration helped bring back my Eid memories in our lovely country.”

Faisal Al-Harbi, a chemistry student, extended his greetings to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah, Crown Prince Salman and Deputy Crown Prince Muqrin on the occasion of Eid.

Student Mubarak Abu Al-Enein said: “We find it difficult to celebrate Eid outside our country, but we’re happy to have been together with other fellow students, and this distance has motivated us to work even harder and serve our homeland upon our return.”