An International View of Halloween

Halloween is a holiday celebrated in multiple countries around the world, with each of them putting a different spin on tradition and relevance. America is no exception to that rule, with Halloween being one of the most celebrated holidays in the country.  

The classical American Halloween includes activities such as pumpkin painting and carving, watching scary movies, visiting haunted houses, dressing up in costumes and trick-or-treating. Many of these staples have evolved over the last century but are what have become the American Halloween Identity. 

Students across campus have held such events including pumpkin carving socials, haunted houses and scary movie nights following the traditional American Halloween culture. Each group and organization has used these holiday events as a way to raise money for charity, build student connections and grow student engagement.  

Troy’s international students have also attended these events and have gotten to experience the American take on Halloween.  

“In my opinion, Halloween is one of my favorite festivals in the US,” said Bao Tran Phuong (Daisy) Dang, a senior hospitality management major from Danang City, Vietnam. 

“Individuals have many opportunities to dress up as their favorite characters and do crazy things in a fun atmosphere.  

“I have realized how big the scope of Halloween is when many houses are decorated with Halloween themes in a unique way, depending on their preferences and creativity. This really impresses me a lot.” 

The on-campus Halloween events give international students a first-hand view of how traditions differ from country to country. 

“Our Halloween is similar, but much shorter and less celebrated as widely,” said Hilary Addo, a senior economics major from Cologne, Germany. “Here, people prepare in advance, sometimes even a month before, discussing what to wear.  

“There are many festivities and events before the actual date, which reminds me more of our Carnival in Cologne more than a typical German Halloween.” 

“I am really excited about Halloween parties, while wearing my costumes and eating candies,” said Elsa Barcy, a freshman psychology major from Ligron, France. “I love American Halloween; I think they take it way more seriously compared to France.  

“There are pumpkin carvings, pumpkin markets, pumpkins in all different types of food (cookies, muffins, pumpkin spice latte...), and there are a lot of candies and decorations on the shops, on houses.” 

Troy Halloween events will conclude on Oct. 31, ending with the Trick or TKE event held by Tau Kappa Epsilon on campus at 10 p.m..