New Years Eve 2014 Around The World: How Deoes Your Culture Celebrate?

Happy New Year's to all of our Mark's Homestay family!

Thank you hosts and students for making this year an amazing year for us and for cultural exchange in Atlanta!

New Years is one of our favorite holidays because it is an occasion that people all around the world have in common! In America, it is often customary to watch the big shiny ball drop in times square, New York City, make new year resolutions on how we plan to improve next year, or drink some champagne and kiss a loved one at midnight. But other parts of the world have a few of their own traditions.

I traveled to Caracas, Venezuela during New Year's one year and found that this country has some of the most interesting New Year's Eve traditions I have ever witnessed. At the stroke of midnight, people carrying suitcases ran out of their houses and filled the streets with laughter and smiles, hoping that the ritual would bring more opportunities to travel in the new year. Others eat 12 grapes, signifying luck for each month of the year.

Here is an article about all the different ways people around the world celebrate the New Year!

How does your family celebrate New Years? Let us know! Send a photo to sam@markshomestay.com.

Make this the year that you discover the joys of hosting an international student. Visit www.markshomestay.comwww.markshomestay.com for more information and to apply!