Happy New Year from everyone at GoAbroad! Wherever and however you marked the arrival of 2012 , we wish you a joyous start to the year. Just as every destination and culture has different traditions, so are the ways that the New Year was celebrated. Were you traveling, working, studying or teaching abroad for the holiday season? If so, it's possible you experienced the holidays in a brand new way!

Today on the GoAbroad Blog we've compiled a selection of videos and fun facts that showcase how different countries around the world welcomed the New Year. Were you in one of these locations? Do you have a favorite? Share your thoughts in the comments!

London, England

In traditional British custom, on the stroke of midnight, people open the back door--to let the old year out-- and ask the first dark haired man to be seen to come through the front door carrying salt, coal and bread. Bringing these items means that the following year will bring enough to eat (bread), enough money (salt) and everyone be warm enough (coal)!

New York, USA

New Years customs in the United States of America range from parties being thrown on New Years Eve to witnessing the ball drop in Times Square of New York City (shown in the video below). The ball drop is broadcast all across the United States and at the stroke of midnight, people may kiss or honk car horns to ring in the New Year!

Hong Kong, China

In China, the New Year takes place between January 21 and February 20.  It is noted as being a time for feasting and visiting with family and friends, in which the celebrations are based on bringing luck, health, happiness and wealth until the next year!

Sydney, Australia

Celebrations in Australia started on the eve of December 31 and the New Year was rung in with a variety of noises, including whistles, rattles, car horns and church bells!

Bangkok, Thailand

While the Thai New Year Festival actually falls on April 13 - 15 according to the Gregorian calendar, there was a remarkable firework display held on December 31st. Among the customs of Thailand's New Year, there is one that encourages people to throw water over one another--with the belief that it will bring good rains in the coming year!

Paris, France

Did you know that it was only in 1582 that France adopted the reformed calendar, which changed the beginning of the New Year from March 25 to January 1? Check out the video below to see how bright the Eiffel Tower glowed on New Years!

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

New Years in Dubai was complemented by a spectacular fireworks display from the world's tallest building-- Burj Khalifa-- which was illuminated in white, red, and green hues from top to bottom for the first time. The colors were themed as a salute to the UAE for its 40 years of nationhood.

Berlin, Germany

Would you consider yourself superstitious? In Germany, it is traditional to drop molten lead into cold water to try and tell the future from the shape it made. For example, a heart or ring shape meant a wedding, while a ship meant an upcoming journey!

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Did you know that in Brazil the lentil is believed to signify wealth, so on the first day of the New Year they serve lentil soup or lentils and rice! Check out more of the celebrations below!

Tagged as: adventure travel, Australia, Bangkok, Berlin, Brazil, China, Dubai, eco-travel, England, France, Germany, holidays abroad, Hong Kong, intern abroad, international education, international experience, international holiday, international volunteer, internship abroad, job opportunities, London, New Year, New Years Eve, New York, Paris, Rio de Janeiro, student exchange, study abroad, study abroad programs, sydney, Thailand, United Arab Emirates (UAE), United States of America (USA), volunteer abroad, volunteer opportunities, volunteer programs, work abroad