Attending a college a car drive away or a short flight from home is normal for most students, but imagine attending college thousands of miles away from home.
This is the case for international students, and often this distance keeps them from going home for the holidays unlike the rest of the student body.
There are currently 1,639 international students, representing 91 countries, attending Auburn, according to Jessica Holley, director of international student and scholar services.
"I would say on average, 600-700 students return home during the holiday break," Holley said.
Guixi "Grace" Yang, freshman in finance, is from China and is one of the many students staying in the United States over winter break.
"I will travel to Orlando with my roommate, [Mary Spencer Veazey, sophomore in human development and family studies], and I will learn how to drive and get my driver's license," Yang said.
Yang said she is excited about the trip because she enjoys traveling.
Yang also said in her free time she likes to go shopping, hang out with her friends and watch videos.
Yang said she misses her family and friends in China, and she may return to China during winter break next year.
Conner Esteban Huertas del Pino, junior in supply chain management, traveled home to Peru.
Huertas del Pino, member of the Auburn Men's Tennis team, said he will return to Auburn early to prepare for the season, which starts Jan. 15.
"Due to this reason, when I am at home I will be constantly practicing to be in shape for our season and at the same time visiting my family and friends here in Lima, the capital of Peru," Huertas del Pino said. "I will also be eating a lot of Peruvian food, which is my favorite, and I do not get to eat any while I am in the states."
Huertas del Pino said he goes to Peru after every fall semester and during the summer with the exception of this summer in which he will be doing a required internship for his major.
Ziyun Chen, senior in accounting, is the president of the International Student Organization.
The last time Chen went home to China was during the 2014 summer break, but she said she appreciates attending Auburn and her time spent in the U.S.
"I really enjoy the American culture here and love Auburn traditions," Chen said.
Chen said she always planned on traveling to different places in the U.S. over breaks, and she said she loves to meet people from different cultures.
"I went to the Smoky Mountains during fall break, Destin during Thanksgiving and Miami and Key West during winter break this year," Chen said. "Last year, I went to Seattle and drove to Vancouver with my friends who are from China. In addition, I have been to Los Angeles and San Francisco during Thanksgiving last year."
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