Who could have imagined that a little girl from Calcutta would one day find herself wandering through the winter-touched pathways of the University of Exeter, wrapped in the gentle shimmer of Christmas lights and the soft hush of an English December? Even a year ago, if someone had whispered that the girl from a quiet suburban corner called Hindmotor would lift off from Dumdum Airport and land at Heathrow on the 24th of September 2025, stepping into the life she had always held close to her heart, I would have smiled at the impossibility of it all. But dreams, when tended with devotion, have a way of unfolding like destiny. At the age of ten, I knew I belonged to the pages of a different world, one where I would live and study in the United Kingdom. At thirteen, I discovered the University of Exeter and fell in love with it with the wholehearted certainty only a child can feel. For eight long years, I carried that dream like a quiet flame, nurturing it with hope, imagination, and stubborn faith. And then one day, that flame became real.
Hi, this is Suproja Dey, a 22-year-old MA English Literature student at the University of Exeter. Come with me as I delve into this city of stories, now transformed into a winter wonderland – where flickering fairy lights glow through historic streets, welcoming Santa, Christmas, and the promise of a new year.
The transformation was sudden, almost mythic. The UK sky looked impossibly vast and tender, clearer, bluer, almost celestial. One overnight flight turned my life inside out, lifting me from my father’s cherished “little princess” into a young woman standing on the threshold of her own adventure. When I touched the English soil, when I whispered to myself, “I’m here,” the world felt enchanted.
And then I arrived in Exeter.
Walking through the campus for the first time felt like stepping through a doorway in a fantasy novel. The golden leaves of autumn spiralled around me like blessings. The ancient buildings stood serene and wise, as though they had been waiting for me. I felt like a character out of Harry Potter – Hermione Granger, perhaps, book-loving, wide-eyed, curious, and oddly at home among stories and stone archways. I found comfort in quiet cafés where the aroma of roasted coffee beans drifted like a warm embrace. I painted in little corners, journaled beneath soft lamplight, and sipped hot chocolate, mocha, pumpkin-spice lattes, or matcha while classical music murmured in the background. I experienced autumn for the first time: bathed in the rain of maple leaves, wrapped in the rusted-gold beauty of the season, and it made my heart feel impossibly light. And now, this same girl, who once dreamt from a distant corner of India, is witnessing Exeter adorned in winter’s silvery glow, stepping into her very first Christmas in the United Kingdom. And once again, she cannot believe her eyes.
Winter in Exeter is a season that feels almost otherworldly, particularly for someone experiencing their first Christmas in the UK. As an international student, stepping onto the university campus and into the city during December is like entering a storybook, where every corner is touched with lights, every aroma carries the warmth of festive treats, and every sound – from bells to laughter-fills the air with quiet magic.
The university campus itself becomes a hub of festive activity, inviting students to explore, create, and connect. On the 1st of December, the season officially begins with wreath-making in the Devonshire House Greenhouse, as I twisted evergreen branches into shape and tied them together with berries and ribbons, I felt an unexpected calm settle over me. There was something deeply meditative about working with my hands, marking the beginning of December not through deadlines or lectures, but through creativity and tradition. Later that same day, the quirky Christmas Donkeys event at Forum Pizza brought laughter and light-hearted curiosity, reminding me how easily joy can be shared among strangers during the festive season.
On 2nd December the Students’ Guild Winter Market on Forum Street felt like stepping into a miniature festive village, and I remember wandering slowly between the wooden stalls, taking everything in. I stopped to examine handmade ornaments and warm snacks, chatting briefly with stallholders and fellow students. As an international student, I found it comforting to see how naturally everyone, students, staff, and locals, mingled together. For the first time that week, I truly felt part of the university’s festive rhythm. Creativity continued to bloom on 3rd December with gingerbread house workshops in East Park, and on 4th December, cooking mince pies at Birks Grange allowed students to learn, laugh, and taste their creations. I should explain here, mainly for any international students, that mince pies are one of the most curious and surprisingly delightful discoveries of a British Christmas. They are small, sweet pastries filled with mincemeat, a rich mixture of dried fruits such as raisins, currants, and sultanas, blended with spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, citrus peel, and sometimes a hint of brandy or apple.
The pies are typically made with shortcrust pastry and are small enough to hold in one hand, making them perfect for festive gatherings or Christmas markets. When warm, the pastry is buttery and crumbly, while the filling is fragrant, sweet, and slightly tangy. The scent alone- spiced, citrusy, and comforting- feels deeply tied to the British winter season.
When I tasted my first mince pie, I was struck by how closely it resembled flavours I recognised from home: the warmth of spices, the sweetness of dried fruits, and the comforting feeling of something baked and shared. It reminded me of festive sweets from India, even though the form and tradition were completely new. For many British families, mince pies are eaten throughout December, often served with tea, coffee, or hot chocolate, and they symbolise the quiet, cosy joy of the season.
For international students experiencing Christmas in the UK for the first time, trying a mince pie feels like participating in a small but meaningful tradition – a simple way to taste the culture and feel included in the festive rhythm of British life.
These hands-on experiences were not just fun but also offered a sense of accomplishment and connection. 5th December was particularly magical, with multiple activities: from an Intercultural Café session with Christmas and Christingle making at Isca Eats, to a Christingle Service in the Forum, students had opportunities to learn about traditions, make decorations, and quietly reflect amidst the busyness of the season.
The music of the season rang out on 6th December, with the Exeter University Concert Band Christmas Concert at St Mark’s Church, filling the air with festive melodies. On 8th December, the Devonshire House Greenhouse hosted a gingerbread-making session. I spent early December immersed in hands-on activities that allowed me to slow down and enjoy the season. Making gingerbread houses in East Park was playful and slightly chaotic. I even accidentally spilled some water, but never mind, because that gained me a beautiful friend who accepted my apology and spent the rest of the event making cookies with me. Incredibly fun! while cooking mince pies at Birks Grange felt like participating in a tradition I had only ever read about. Tasting something I had made myself gave me a small but genuine sense of accomplishment, and sharing laughter with others in the kitchen made the experience even warmer.
Attending the Exeter University Concert Band’s Christmas Concert at St Mark’s Church was one of those moments where I simply sat back and listened, letting the music carry the festive spirit. Later, painting ceramic ornaments allowed me to be creative in a different way. I enjoyed choosing colours carefully, knowing that the small ornament I was painting would later decorate my room – becoming a personal reminder of this first winter in Exeter.
As December progressed, the campus buzzed with activity. From 16th to 23rd December, students could enjoy Pitch Up & Play sports sessions, badminton, football, and tennis, as well as festive craft sessions, pizza and game afternoons, chocolate truffle cooking, and wreath-making workshops. For an international student, these were not just events; they were opportunities to connect, to feel part of the community, and to embrace a culture that was both new and enchanting. The Winter Party on 23rd December brought the season to a jubilant climax, a celebration of friendship, music, and joy before the campus quieted for the holiday break.
Beyond the campus, Exeter city offers its own winter magic. The Exeter Cathedral Christmas Market, open from 20th November to 19th December, is a must-visit. Strolling between wooden stalls, filled with handcrafted scarves, ornaments, candles, and festive treats, I felt a mixture of awe and belonging. The smell of mulled apple juice and hot chocolate, combined with the gentle chime of the cathedral bells, created an atmosphere that was at once vibrant and serene. Smaller markets, such as St Leonard’s Market on 6th December and Totnes Market on 2nd December, offered additional opportunities to explore local crafts, snacks, and music, all while staying mindful of student budgets.
For theatre lovers, Exeter presents the magic of Christmas pantos. Jack and the Beanstalk at the Northcott Theatre and Wizard of Oz at the Corn Exchange bring laughter, music, and spectacular effects, allowing students to experience traditional British festive entertainment in a lively and inclusive setting. Even simple activities, like walking along High Street or Princesshay, pausing at cosy cafés with a warm latte or pumpkin-spice mocha, or quietly watching the glow of street decorations, provide moments of reflection and wonder.
One of the most memorable experiences for international students would be the traditional Christmas lunch at Holland Hall on 25th December. Sharing turkey, roast vegetables, and mince pies with other students and staff creates a sense of home away from home, allowing those far from family to still participate in meaningful seasonal traditions.
Overall, Christmas in Exeter is a celebration of connection, creativity, and quiet magic. Students can immerse themselves fully in workshops, music, sports, and markets, or enjoy simple pleasures like a walk beneath twinkling lights or a cup of hot chocolate by candlelight. For an international student, each event, from wreath-making to cathedral markets, carries a dual charm: the thrill of discovering new traditions and the warmth of feeling welcomed into a vibrant, festive community. By embracing both the planned activities and the spontaneous joys of the season, every student can experience a Christmas in Exeter that is both enchanting and unforgettable.
As the winter chill settles over Exeter, students can transform their own spaces into little havens of warmth, comfort, and holiday magic. Decorating your student room is one of the simplest ways to bring the festive spirit inside, making it a personal retreat where you can relax after long lectures, assignments, or campus events. Twinkling fairy lights draped along shelves or around the window frame instantly create a soft glow that warms even the coldest December evenings. Handcrafted wreaths, ceramic ornaments, or small pinecones collected from the campus courtyard add a touch of personality and creativity. Battery operated flickering candles, scented diffusers, or even a small string of battery-operated fairy lights can enhance the hygge atmosphere, turning study sessions into moments of calm and reflection.
For international students, these small gestures can make a significant difference. Away from family and familiar holiday traditions, decorating your own room provides a sense of home and belonging. Journaling by candlelight, sipping hot chocolate, or reading a favourite book in a cosy corner can evoke the same sense of warmth that family gatherings back home bring, a reminder that comfort and joy can be crafted wherever you are.
Growing up in Calcutta, Christmas meant warm afternoons, colourful lights in our living room, the scent of fruitcake and barfi, and carols echoing in church. Exeter’s winter wonderland, by contrast, was a world apart, frosty streets, twinkling fairy lights across the city, the smell of mulled apple juice and roasted treats in the air. Yet, despite these differences, the spirit of Christmas felt familiar: the joy of gathering, the excitement of decorations, and the warmth of sharing special moments with loved ones or new friends. While the celebrations look different, outdoor markets and pantomimes in Exeter, family and church-centric traditions in India, the heart of the holiday remains the same: connection, reflection, and festive cheer.