Eid-ul-Adha, known as the Festival of Sacrifice, is a time of joy, family, and tradition.
For Bangladeshi students studying abroad, however, celebrating this special day far from home brings a mix of nostalgia, homesickness, and bittersweet emotions. While the festival remains significant, the absence of family, friends, and the familiar buzz of home make this occasion feel vastly different in a foreign land.
From the lack of the joyous Qurbani (sacrifice) rituals to the absence of beloved food and festivities, Eid-ul-Adha away from home becomes a reminder of what is lost but also what can be cherished from a distance.
The emotional toll of Eid abroad
For Raju Ahmed Masum, a Geography student at the University of British Columbia, Canada, the memories of Eid-ul-Adha in Bangladesh are filled with family, laughter, and food. "Growing up in Bangladesh, Eid was always an incredibly special and heartfelt celebration," he recalls. "Our home would be filled with the aroma of sweet dishes, and after the Qurbani, we would visit relatives, enjoy long days of sightseeing, and share food with friends. Eid was about family, tradition, and bonding."
However, celebrating Eid abroad, especially in a country like Canada, is an entirely different experience. "My first Eid away from home was in 2023, and it coincided with a final project presentation," says Raju. Despite the academic pressure, his senior classmates invited him to their homes for Eid prayer, and they even served him Bangladeshi dishes to remind him of home. "It was heartwarming, but still, something was missing. Eid doesn’t feel the same here," he reflects. Without his family, the emotional warmth and cultural vibrance he once experienced during Eid in Bangladesh are gone.
While Raju finds solace in attending Iftar gatherings at the mosque during Ramadan, Eid-ul-Adha feels different. "No matter how well life goes abroad, Eid will always be more special with family. The sense of home, warmth, and belonging is irreplaceable," he added.
Khaled Mahmud Khan, an MS student in Geographic Information Science at Saint Louis University, USA, echoes similar sentiments. "At first, you feel lost. You wonder why you came here in the first place. But eventually, you get used to it. You adjust to the new life," he admits. However, Khaled doesn’t sugarcoat the reality: "If you think about how life in Bangladesh was with your family, the friends you’ve known your whole life, you’ll realize how much is missing. The Bangladeshi community is neither too big nor too small here, and there’s no big celebration like we used to have back home."
For Khaled, Eid-ul-Adha in the US doesn’t have the same excitement. "It’s nothing like it was back home. There are no grand celebrations or traditions. Qurbani and the sense of togetherness are absent. It's just another day in a busy, foreign country."
Sacrifice, distance, and the effort to celebrate
From Australia, Redowan Hossain shares his experience of Eid away from his family. "Unless I phone home, I have no idea when Eid will be celebrated here. There’s no Eid celebration, no excitement. Everyone is as busy as machines," Redowan says, adding that he doesn’t feel the same way he used to when he celebrated Eid-ul-Adha back in Bangladesh.
"Eid in Bangladesh was full of anticipation, joy, and family gatherings. Here, it feels like just another day." The absence of his family during Qurbani Eid in Australia creates a void that he struggles to fill. "Back home, we would perform the Qurbani together, share meals with relatives, and enjoy the festive spirit. Here, there’s no such thing. It feels lonely," he added.
Ahadul Samad, a Geophysics student at Saint Louis University, shares his experience of Eid-ul-Adha abroad in a heartfelt manner. "It’s Eid today, and here I am in the lab, surrounded by an atmosphere that feels nothing like home. There's no festive sound of ‘Eid Mubarak’ in the air, no aroma of my mother’s homemade shemai, and no excitement of packing to head home. These moments remind me of the childhood Eids—when joy was defined by noise, laughter, and family gatherings. Now, as an adult, the weight of responsibilities has shifted onto my shoulders. I’ve left home, left the country, and in doing so, I've come to realize that my happiness during Eid was always tied to the presence of my loved ones. Back home, Eid is a celebration filled with reunions, Qurbani, and festivities, but here, life feels quieter, colorless, and a bit lonely.”
For Ahad the motto of life is “whatever life offers, embracing it with grace is the key.” “This chapter of my journey, though quieter and more reflective, is still part of my growth. Far from home, I carry my family and their love in my heart. In this quiet, I find a different kind of peace—one that brings gratitude and reflection," he concluded.
Finding comfort in small gatherings and new connections
Despite the struggles, these students still try to make the best of their situation. Raju, who was invited by his seniors, found small gatherings with fellow Bangladeshis to be comforting. "Though it’s not the same as being with family, it felt good to spend time with people who understand your traditions," he says.
Khaled has also found that life in the US is bearable with the support of the local community, even though Eid-ul-Adha doesn't feel the same. "It’s not easy, but you gradually adapt. Life is different, but we try to keep the traditions alive in whatever way we can."
Redowan, too, finds solace in attending small gatherings with friends and other Muslims. While the lack of family involvement is a heavy loss, these connections with others help bridge the emotional gap. "It’s not home, but the warmth of community helps make Eid feel special."
Though Eid-ul-Adha for Bangladeshi students abroad may not be the same as the vibrant celebrations they grew up with, there’s a shared feeling that transcends borders. No matter how far away they are, the spirit of Eid-ul-Adha—the sacrifice, the gratitude, and the bonding—remains strong within them. While their celebrations may not match the hustle and bustle of home, their determination to celebrate the occasion in their own way showcases the resilience of these students. In the end, for bangladeshi students in abroad "Eid" is not just about the food, the Qurbani, or the gatherings; it’s about the memories, the connections, and the hope that one day, they will be able to celebrate together again.