Best Ways to Celebrate Your Birthday While Traveling

Studying abroad is a once-in-a-lifetime adventure that fills your life with unforgettable memories. Now, imagine adding the excitement of celebrating your birthday abroad to that mix!  

Marking your special day during your First Year Abroad program elevates the entire experience, turning it into a story you'll tell for years. 

Imagine retelling the story of your 19th birthday: how you spent the morning wandering through the ancient streets of Kyoto, the afternoon visiting the iconic orange gates of Fushimi Inari Taisha, and the evening with fresh-made mochi in a “kawai” (cute) restaurant with friends. Or how you celebrated in Barcelona, eating mouth-watering tapas—after an adventurous day exploring Gaudí's architectural wonders. 

Being away from family and hometown friends means your birthday will be different from what you're used to—but that's what will make it so special. During your study abroad experience, the responsibility of celebrating your day falls on you rather than relying on others to plan it for you. Embrace this opportunity to design a birthday experience that truly reflects what you love. Take charge and turn it into a day that's all about your new surroundings, budding friendships, and the things that make you happy. 

In this blog, we'll guide you through the different ways to celebrate your birthday while studying abroad, offering ideas that range from throwing yourself a party to embracing the unique traditions of your host country. 

Fun Birthday Celebration Ideas While Spending Your First Year of College Abroad  

No matter how you typically celebrate your birthday, being abroad opens a whole new world of possibilities to make your day unforgettable. Here are five ideas to make your birthday fun:  

1.  Throw Yourself a Party 

Host a party at your host family's home, a local restaurant, or outside at a beach or park. It's a fantastic way to gather your new friends and share some of the customs and traditions from your home country. 

2. Go on a Trip 

There's no doubt that there are plenty of places you want to visit during your year abroad. Plan a trip with a fellow study abroad friend and brainstorm birthday travel ideas.  

3. Go Sightseeing 

Likely, you have a list of sights you want to explore before your first year abroad is over. Pick the place, book transportation, and even go on a guided tour. 

4. Attend a Special Event 

Check out what's happening locally on your birthday. Whether it's a play, concert, or a local festival, you'll experience the local culture and something you can't get back home. 

5. Take Part in the Birthday Traditions of Your Host Country! 

Find your First Year Abroad destination below and learn a little about their birthday traditions. 

Australia  

In Australia, birthdays often revolve around outdoor gatherings, especially beach BBQs, and the fabulous "Fairy Bread." 

• Birthday Song: "Happy Birthday to You" (same as the U.S. version). 
• Birthday Traditions: Swap a sit-down dinner for an outdoor BBQ in a country that always has mild or warm weather. 
• Australia Birthday Dish: "Lamingtons" are sponge cakes coated in chocolate and rolled in coconut. Kids' birthdays feature "Fairy Bread," buttered white bread topped with colored sprinkles. 

Costa Rica 

In Costa Rica, birthdays are lively gatherings full of music, dancing, and traditional dishes. 

• Birthday Song: "Las Mañanitas" (A traditional birthday song in many Latin American countries) 
• Birthday Traditions: The day usually starts with the family singing "Las Mañanitas," followed by a festive meal with traditional dishes. 
• Birthday Dish: Tres Leches Cake is a rich, moist cake soaked in three kinds of milk, making it a beloved birthday dessert. Horchata is another sweet birthday treat, a refreshing drink made from ground almonds, rice, or tiger nuts, sweetened with sugar and often flavored with cinnamon. 

England  

In England, birthdays are marked with much of the same fanfare as in the US: singing, cake and a party. 

• Birthday Song: "Happy Birthday to You" (same as the U.S. version). 
• Birthday Traditions: Birthdays typically involve a gathering of family and friends, often at home or in a local restaurant, with cake and party games like "Pass the Parcel." 
• Birthday Dish: Victoria Sponge Cake is a light sponge cake filled with jam and cream, a quintessentially British birthday treat. 

Germany  

In Germany, birthdays are cozy affairs celebrated with close friends and family, featuring coffee and cake ("Kaffee und Kuchen"), and often include the tradition of a birthday wreath (Geburtstagskranz) adorned with candles. 

• Birthday Song: "Wie schön, dass du geboren bist" (How Wonderful That You Were Born). 
• Birthday Traditions: Germans are famous for punctuality, and that includes birthdays! Birthdays are never celebrated early or late, but rather on the actual day of your birth. It's even considered bad luck to wish someone Happy Birthday too early! 
• Birthday Dish: Kuchen is a traditional German cake, often featuring fruits like apples or plums or layered with cream. 

Italy  

In Italy, birthdays are celebrated with intimate gatherings centered around food. 

• Birthday Song: "Tanti Auguri a Te" (sung to the tune of "Happy Birthday to You"). 
• Birthday Traditions: Birthdays are typically celebrated with a meal, either at home or in a restaurant, where family and close friends gather to enjoy traditional Italian dishes. 
• Birthday Dish: Tiramisu is a classic Italian dessert made with layers of coffee-soaked ladyfingers, mascarpone cheese, and cocoa. 

Japan  

In Japan, birthdays blend Western influences, such as cake and gift-giving, with local customs like visiting a shrine for blessings and good luck. 

• Birthday Song: Like the “Happy Birthday” song in English, Japan has its own version, set to the same tune. The typical birthday greeting in Japanese is "happy birthday," which is written as "誕生日おめでとう" (tanjoubi omedetou) in an informal setting and “お誕生日おめでとうございます” (otanjoubi omedetou gozaimasu) in a more formal one.  
• Birthday Traditions: Although birthdays are becoming more Westernized, it's still common to visit a shrine for blessings and good luck on your special day. 
• Japan Birthday Dish: Mochi is a traditional Japanese rice cake made from glutinous rice that is pounded into a sticky, chewy dough. It's often molded into small, round shapes and can be enjoyed plain or filled with sweet fillings like red bean paste (anko), sweetened sesame paste, or even ice cream. 

Spain  

In Spain, birthdays are celebrated with vibrant meals and the curious tradition of "ear pulling." 

• Birthday Song: "Cumpleaños Feliz" (sung to the tune of "Happy Birthday to You"). 
• Birthday Traditions: A large family meal is a staple, often featuring dishes like paella, tapas, and ending with dessert. In some places in Spain, they practice the birthday tradition "los tirones de oreja," where the birthday person receives a gentle tug on their earlobe for each year of their age.  
• Spain Birthday Dish: Tarta de Santiago is a traditional almond cake with a rich history, topped with powdered sugar and marked with the cross of Saint James. 

Celebrate Your Birthday While Studying Abroad 

Spending your first year of college abroad is a unique opportunity to learn about a new culture and meet other traveling college students, all while earning college credits!  Explore our CIEE First Year Abroad programs, offered in amazing worldwide destinations.