Spending a Religious Holiday Abroad

When preparing to study abroad, I planned for everything- except one thing. I completely forgot that I would have to spend one of my religious holidays, Eid-Al-Adha, abroad. To me, the festivities that happen leading up to Eid are what makes it special. A typical Eid in my household involves preparing all kinds of dishes with my entire family, dressing in traditional clothing, and spending the day surrounded by loved ones. This Eid, however, I knew it would look very different from what I was used to. Instead of feeling excited, I was dreading it. I was anxious-mainly because it would be my first-ever Eid spent  alone. 

To make myself feel a little better, I thought of taking the day off from classes to attend the Eid prayer at the local mosque. That plan did not last too long when I realized that both of my midterms were scheduled on the day of Eid. At that point, I felt even more defeated. Since the nearest mosque was an hour away and I had an exam in the morning, it meant I would not have enough time to join the prayer as I had hoped. Not only was I alone, but all my plans had also fallen through. 

Then, a friend of mine suggested I do something after my exam- like try a new restaurant or explore a new place. That conversation helped me realize that, even though I could not do much in the first half of the day, there was still a lot I could enjoy. So, I decided even though I missed the Eid prayer, I could still visit the mosque for the evening prayer. I got ready and took the metro to where the mosque is located. 

I arrived slightly earlier than the prayer time and used the opportunity to explore the neighborhood. When the mosque opened, I saw lettered balloons that read “Eid Mubarak,” and I felt a sense of familiarity. I met so many people in the mosque, and had the opportunity to learn about them. After my prayer, I explored the neighborhood a bit more and ended my day with a refreshing smoothie and delicious piece of pistachio chocolate cake. 

The Takeaway? 

What I learned from this experience is that being abroad can be challenging, but there is always something around you to make the most of- if you are open to it.