Thousands of miles away from their home, Chinese students celebrated one of the most important holidays in China with fellow Oklahoma Christian University students.
The Chinese New Year is the most significant social and economic holiday in China. The holiday was originally based on the ancient Chinese calendar until the country adopted the western calendar in 1912. Now, the holiday is commonly referred to as the Spring Festival.
Since 2007, Oklahoma Christian’s Chinese students have hosted a Chinese Night, showcasing their culture and background to others on campus. Chinese Night has grown each year as more and more students participate in the unique production.
Jacob Shuart, the International Programs student advisor, facilitated the event for the students.
“I help make the reservations for the venue, chairs and tables, but it is 95 percent all done by the students,” Shuart said. “They set up everything and organize everything by themselves. I give them parameters and ideas or tips, but other than that, it’s all put on by them.”
Each year, one student either volunteers to serve as the director of Chinese Night, or the students elect a director.
The students then choose a fundraising campaign to raise money for the event. This year, the students sold handmade Chinese Lunar New Year postcards in the cafeteria area the week prior to the event. The funds go directly to the production of the event and cover whatever costs necessary.
Senior Jing An said directing Chinese Night can be challenging yet rewarding.
Last year, no one had volunteered to take charge of Chinese Night and the event was at risk to be cancelled completely. An said she recognized the importance of sharing Chinese Night with the American students on campus and decided to take responsibility for directing the event.
“Chinese students are the biggest group of international students at OC,” An said. “I think because we come to here to learn, others should also learn from us and our culture.”
Most of the approximately 60 Chinese students at Oklahoma Christian come from the same university called Xi’an. Chinese Night is an opportunity for them to come together during a special time of year for their culture.
“Chinese New Year is a really big thing for us, it’s like Christmas for you guys,” An said. “I feel really appreciative because there are plenty of Chinese students here who share the same feeling of stress and culture shock. Friends are really important for us since our family is so far away from here on this holiday.”
This year’s director, sophomore Runze Tian, was elected by his peers to be in charge of Chinese Night.
“I was very excited to be chosen and I am very proud of this night,” Tian said. “I think this is a responsibility for each Chinese student to show a cultural celebration and for each of us to get involved.”
Tian held auditions for any student who wished to perform in the event.
On Saturday, Chinese students showcased their culture through a Han Chinese fashion show, tai chi demonstration, traditional dance and Chinese games. Students had the opportunity to taste authentic Chinese cuisine and even have their name written in the Chinese language.
“This is a good opportunity because each year we only have this chance to show American students our beautiful country and our culture,” Tian said. “I like this country, but every single Chinese wants to also be a representative of our own country. My favorite part of being here is how the OC president says, ‘OC is home.’”
Chinese Night helped kickoff the start of the 2015 Chinese New Year — the year of the sheep — one of the twelve Chinese zodiac animals.
The event displayed the pride Oklahoma Christian Chinese students have for their culture, while enlightening and educating others across campus.
0
0
Be First to Comment