Chinese Night to celebrate international culture

Photo by: Henoc Kivuye

 

As the number of Chinese students continues to increase each year at Oklahoma Christian University, the students plan to educate their peers with a night of camaraderie and cultural exploration.

To celebrate the Year of the Horse and their culture, Chinese students will host Chinese Night at 7 p.m. on Feb. 22 in the McIntosh Conservatory.

International Programs Student Activities Officer Jacob Shuart said the growing number of Oklahoma Christian students is the reason for the Chinese Night tradition.

“Currently, there are more than 60 students from China at OC,” Shuart said. “This large international population has provided many students, faculty and staff to have interactions with our students from China. In order to help the campus community better understand our students and their culture, the students collectively decided to have Chinese Night a few years ago, and the students have continued that annual tradition ever since.”

According to Shuart, Oklahoma Christian began a partnership with Xian Polytechnic University in 2007 that encouraged several students from the university to seek a degree at Oklahoma Christian. The first year, 10 students came – that number has increased every year.

Shuart said that this event allows Oklahoma Christian students from China to express themselves, and attempt to connect the culture they have grown up in with the American culture.

“Our Chinese students are quite fond of OC, and they really want to share their national pride with their peers so that everyone can see what a great and rich culture China has,” Shuart said.

The activities at Chinese night vary each year, but this year participants will be able to try Chinese tea, write their name in Chinese characters and learn a traditional Chinese dance, along with many other activities.

There will also be a fashion show of traditional clothing called Cheongsam, a martial arts demonstration of Taiji and a traditional music show. Different assortments of Chinese food will be provided.

Senior Jing Xu, who has been to Chinese night twice, said she is looking forward to attending once again this year. Xu said her favorite part about Chinese Night is the dancing and the food.

“Chinese traditional dance is very beautiful, I really like it,” Xu said. “I really miss Chinese food also. All the Chinese shows are really brilliant.”

Senior Jing An, the leader of Chinese night this year, is also looking forward to all of the activities. According to An, as an international student it was not easy to balance study time and school activities at the same time, but she knew someone needed to step up to the plate.

“There was no leader for this year’s Chinese Night at the beginning,” An said. “One day, some of my American friends came and asked me why there is no Chinese Night this year. They said they enjoyed Chinese Night every year, and they hoped we can still hold this activity this year. This is a pretty big activity; someone needs to take charge of this. This is the reason why I am the leader for this year.”

An said she has many duties as the leader of Chinese Night.

“The performing part, the cultural display part and the game part – I need to make sure every part has someone to organize [it],” An said. “Then the other important element is the preparation for the funds, which includes the money from school, the donation, and the charity bazaar. I also need to ensure the propaganda work is going good, because I need to try my best to make sure that more and more people will come and participate in our Chinese Night.”

An anticipates Americans might be interested in the Chinese culture, and pointed out that the night is a great opportunity to showcase it.

“Everyone will learn something in a relaxing and interesting atmosphere,” An said. “This is also a good time to make friends. I am always curious about American culture, I think Americans might also be interested about our culture.”

Shuart said this would be a great opportunity for students to get firsthand experience on what the culture of China is truly like.

“Any chance one has to broaden their horizons without even having to leave campus is an opportunity which should always be taken advantage of,” Shuart said.

An invited all Oklahoma Christian students to participate in the variety of experiences Chinese Night will offer.

“Just take a break from the homework and stress,” An said. “Come and experience another culture, make some friends, try some delicious food, win prizes and maybe learn some kung fu. Chinese Night is a once-per-year activity; if you miss [it] this time, the next one will come after a whole year past. So catch it.”