New Year Fair offers non-local students a taste of Chinese culture

City University of Hong Kong (CityU) held a Chinese New Year Fair on 21 February in the Multi-function Hall of Student Residence. The event was organised by the International and Non-local Student Office (INSO) CityU Buddy Scheme. From planning to execution, students take a leading role. Through organising these kinds of activities, CityU fulfils its stated objective of focusing on whole-person development and, at the same time, provides a chance for students from different countries to better understand traditional Chinese festival culture.

“We organise the fair to let students introduce traditional Chinese culture and customs to other students in a relaxing way,” said Ms Helen Lam, Director of INSO. “This is also a platform for internationalisation, which allows overseas exchange students, mainland students and local students to mingle and develop their friendship.”

As an introduction to Chinese New Year culture, the fair included booths dedicated to writing Chinese couplets, Chinese lantern riddles, Chinese paper cutting and traditional food preparation and tastings.

There was a Red Packet Exhibition and a “God of Wealth”, acted by a student, mingled with the crowd.

“Through organising this fair, I get to review and enhance my knowledge of Chinese customs and I very much enjoy working with other students,” said Wendy Tam Wing-yuk, a Year 2 student from the Department of Management.

“The spirit here is great. Celebrating the Chinese New Year with so many friends, I feel like being with my family on the mainland,” said Susan Chen-yun, a foundation year mainland student from the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences.

Overseas exchange students also enjoyed the Fair. Jade Law and Lee Seoyoung of the Department of English and Communication, from the US and South Korea respectively, said they were excited to get to know so many new things about Chinese culture. Edan Boukai, a US exchange student from the Department of Economics and Finance, was very active at the fair. “I wish to taste the Chinese dessert and learn to make Chinese dumplings. It’s really been my dream to immerse myself in such treats,” said Edan excitedly.

The Chinese New Year Fair ended in a warm and happy atmosphere. Students enjoyed the Fair immensely and expressed their heartfelt thanks to their fellow students who organised the event.