Perle Badohu – Staff Writer

When I was a kid, Halloween meant carving pumpkins, dressing up, watching scary movies and going trick-or-treating. It was an exciting time and a chance to make memories and enjoy a good scare.As I got older, the tradition lost some of its magic. The excitement that once surrounded the holiday faded, and Halloween became little more than a night to watch horror movies. When I entered university, that changed and I discovered a new way to celebrate.

Graphic courtesy of Gabrielle Lalonde

I had a lot of expectations. As an international student, I had seen in movies how people my age celebrate Halloween in North America. Even so, I tried to keep my expectations low so I wouldn’t be disappointed. Now I can say I wasn’t let down. Halloween once again became one of my favourite celebrations. But what made me change my mind?

At Bishop’s, everything is about dressing up. It’s not just about scary monsters, witches or serial killers. Every costume is the right costume. It’s a way to express yourself and connect with people. Last year, I even saw a student dressed as a beer can, complete with a helmet that poured real beer to anyone who asked. Anyone can be anything, and nobody judges. The most important thing is to have fun. And if your first costume doesn’t work out, there are two more nights to try again. Halloween isn’t celebrated just once here, but three times.

The festivities usually start with a Gait night on Thursday to warm up, followed by a night at the Lion. On Friday, students head to Reed Street, hop to different house parties, or make their way to the Lion. The celebrations wrap up on Saturday with a final night at the Gait that lasts until 3 a.m.

This year, Halloween celebrations reached a new level. Along with the weekend parties, Bishop’s students also had the chance to take part in a pumpkin-carving event — a perfect way to get into the spirit of the season.

Experiencing Halloween as a university student reminded me why I loved the holiday as a child. We still dress up, admire everyone’s creative costumes and look forward to a night with friends. Instead of trick-or-treating, we go to parties or events, but the thrill is the same. Halloween allows us to reconnect with our inner child, though now with alcohol. In university, I rediscovered the joy of celebrating Halloween. It felt like returning to my childhood, only in a more fun way.