International Day of Friendship, or, as everyone calls it, International Friendship Day, is celebrated annually around the world on 30th July. It is a global celebration of friendship and the bonds we make outside our immediate family. They can be the people you meet at school, university, in your neighbourhood, at the workplace or even at a cafe or a bookstore. They are your chosen family, the ones you celebrate your achievements with and who are always there for you when you need support or feel sad, especially when you're away from home.
Learning English abroad, in a foreign nation, surrounded by people you don't know and a culture you don't understand is challenging. But it becomes a lot easier and transforms into an incredible journey filled with joy and excitement when you forge new friendships and meet people you can truly depend on. Let's look at some creative ways you can celebrate Friendship Day with your new friends to show them how much you appreciate them. But first, a little bit of history about the origins of International Friendship Day and how it came to be.
History of International Friendship Day
While the unofficial celebration of Friendship Day has been around for decades, the United States Congress officially declared a yearly day to honour close friendships in 1935. However, it wasn't until 2011 that the UN General Assembly proclaimed 30th July as the International Day of Friendship. The purpose of this day is to promote friendship between people, countries, and cultures in the hope that these bonds can inspire peace efforts and help build bridges between various communities. The UN encourages governments, international organisations, and civil society groups to hold events, activities and initiatives to celebrate International Friendship Day and promote dialogue, solidarity, and mutual understanding between different cultures and communities.
Five unique ways to celebrate Friendship Day
Learning English abroad is a unique opportunity to forge new friendships with people from diverse cultures and countries. Take advantage of International Day of Friendship to celebrate your new connections and understand how much you can learn from each other.
You can create friendship tokens together. It's a great way to show how much you appreciate your friends. You can make bracelets, write heartfelt letters, or put together small gift bags with meaningful items. These will remind you of your special bond and memories that you'll cherish for years to come.
The best thing about learning English abroad is that everything is new, and there is so much to explore. This Friendship Day, plan an outing with your classmates to check off everything you have been wanting to do. Try new food, visit famous places, maybe a historical site or opera and have new experiences you have been waiting for. Most of all, don't forget to take lots and lots of photos to capture these moments and share them with your loved ones back home.
Many countries host events and activities to celebrate Friendship Day and give back to the community! You can also be part of this. Find a local charity or community service project and participate with your friends. This International Friendship Day, you have a chance to give back to the community while celebrating the spirit of friendship.
You can host a language exchange night with your fellow classmates and teach each other common words and phrases in your native languages. It'll help you connect with each other, learn about other cultures and practise your conversational English in a fun and interactive setting without any pressure.
One of the most effective ways to strengthen your bond and connect with your new friends is to understand and learn about each other's cultures. One great way to do this is by watching films from each other's countries. You can watch films in English and discuss storylines and cultural elements portrayed in the films. This enjoyable and unique experience will help you develop a global mindset and improve your English skills at the same time!
On this International Friendship Day, open your heart to the beautiful spirit of friendship and take this opportunity to connect with people from diverse backgrounds in a foreign land. Learn about different cultures, share laughter and memorable stories. Go on adventures, have new experiences, and make this an unforgettable day that you will take back home. English Path wishes you a very happy Friendship Day!
Frequently asked questions about International Friendship Day
Q1. When is Friendship Day celebrated?
A1. People around the world celebrate Friendship Day on different days. Let’s look at some of them:
Q2. Why is the International Day of Friendship celebrated?
A2. The International Day of Friendship was established in 2011 by the UN General Assembly to promote friendship between peoples, countries, cultures, and individuals. The aim behind the celebrations is to encourage peace and build connections between diverse cultures.
Q3. What are some activities that I can participate in with my friends to celebrate Friendship Day?
A3. There are many activities you can take part in to celebrate the International Friendship Day. You can:
Q4. How can I involve my friends back home in the celebration?
A4. You can make your friends back home a part of your celebration by organising a virtual party. If possible, send them friendship tokens and messages to show how much you miss them.
Q5. What messages can I share on International Friendship Day?
A5. On Friendship Day, you can put your English writing skills to the test and draft heartfelt messages for your friends. The goal is to show how much you care and appreciate them. Here are a few examples:
Don't forget to personalise your messages for the person they are meant to be. It'll make them more meaningful!
