Words by Jasmine Jordan

Spent my winter break soaking up in the sun in the sizzling heat of Australia!

Where to?

Have you ever wondered where in the world a dormie goes during the winter break? Where do they live? What do they do? How do they get home? Luckily enough, I’m given the opportunity to talk about it, in my first personal experience. As a dorm student at Hokkaido International School, I had the opportunity to spend my winter break back in my home country, Australia. While many people associate winter breaks with cold weather, sweaters, hot chocolate, and snow, my experience was entirely different in the southern hemisphere, the seasons are flipped, so when I landed in Australia, I was stepping into the peak of summer. 

The Journey

Picture this: a 15-year-old girl, taking off on a solo trip halfway across the globe. My journey spanned 8,607 kilometers, three flights, and a suitcase so heavy it could have doubled as a workout. I first took a flight to Osaka and spent the night in a hotel at the airport. Making sure to wake up to my alarm, I set off again. This time to the Philippines? A short hour crossover while I waited for my flight back home to Australia. Finally, after two long days of traveling, I touched down at Sydney Airport, greeted by a wave of summer heat that wrapped around me like a warm hug. It was the perfect welcome home. 

Life back home 

Summer in Australia has got to be my favorite season of all time, and I made sure to enjoy every moment of it. The beaches became my second home once again, with their golden sand and crystal-clear waters. I spent my days soaking up the sun and swimming in the waves.  Every beach day was enjoyable except for the one unfortunate consequence: a sunburn so red I looked like a missing prawn from our Christmas brunch. Note to self: sunscreen is not optional!

The real highlight of my break, though, was reconnecting with friends and family I hadn’t seen in months. We picked up right where we left off, as though time and distance had never separated us. And then came Christmas, an Australian Christmas, unlike the picture-perfect snow globe scenes. Our feast was a spread of fresh prawns, barbequed meats, and a pavlova so light and airy it felt like eating a cloud, topped with a range of fresh fruits. It was my 15th Australian Christmas lunch, and somehow, it felt just as special as the very first one.

 
My winter break was a reminder of why home will always hold a special place in my heart. It wasn’t just the stunning beaches or the delicious food, it was the love of family and friends that made it unforgettable. The winter break went by fast and I was suddenly on the plane back to my dorm life. As much as I do enjoy the dormitory aspect of my school life, I was glad to be back in the warmth surrounded by my family and childhood friends. Most of all, glad to have no work, for a while..!