International students and educators from various corners of the globe experienced rich Chinese New Year festivities in Yangzhou, Jiangsu province.
Zhang Ming, a Tajik student attending the Jiangsu Vocational College of Tourism, writes the Chinese character "福" on red paper, which is a tradition for the Spring Festival. [Photo/yznews.com.cn]
The Jiangsu Vocational College of Tourism recently organized over 30 international students to participate in a Chinese New Year cultural activity on campus. A student from Tajikistan with the Chinese name of Zhang Ming joined the event and learned how to write "福" (fortune) on red paper. "When I was studying in Tajikistan, I knew that Chinese people would make paper-cuts and put up couplets for the New Year. Now, I've finally got to experience this festive atmosphere," he said.
The college also prepared New Year gift bags for each international student, featuring Yangzhou's cultural specialties, including woodblock prints depicting the Year of the Dragon.
An Indonesian student from Yangzhou Polytechnic College stayed in Yangzhou for the Chinese New Year. "I saw people bustling in the market to buy New Year goods, and this atmosphere made me feel the importance of the Spring Festival for Chinese people," she said. Yangzhou Polytechnic College organized various activities for foreign students, including making traditional pastries and writing "福" with Chinese writing brushes.
Rob, an American teacher from Beijing New Oriental Foreign Language School at Yangzhou, received New Year goods like roasted chicken from the school during the Spring Festival. "This is my third year in Yangzhou, and life here is very comfortable," Rob remarked. During the Spring Festival, Rob's family also chose to stay in Yangzhou to experience the festive atmosphere.
