This year's Chinese New Year was extraordinarily warm and special. For the past two years, students and teachers of the “Future Leaders” program have gathered online for the Chinese New Year. This year, we finally reunited in-person as a family to celebrate the Year of Rabbit.
On January 13th, the students from the “Future Leaders” program gathered for an early “New Year’s Eve Dinner".
"Future Leaders" students with Prof. Shen Qiaowei and Ms. Mo Shujun
Prof. Shen Qiaowei, Director of Guanghua’s Undergraduate and Postgraduate Programs and Ms. Mo Shujun, Guanghua’s Assistant Dean were also present to send New Year wishes and greetings to the students. They wished the students a smooth start of the new semester, embarking on the long-awaited in-person learning journey.
Game Night was kicked off after dinner and the gathering finished off with laughter and joy.
Daryl, Yata, Wen Yek and Philip playing foosball
Helen, Caroline, Zoe and Anna playing Bingo Game
Philip playing ring toss
“Future Leaders” #CNYplog
It was the first time for many of the “Future Leaders” students spending Chinese New Year in China. There were plenty of activities on campus to celebrate the New Year, such as the "Glorious Year of Guanghua" event organized by GSM, a cultural experience event where students and teachers came together to write "fortune" calligraphy. On the New Year’s Eve, they gathered again for the reunion dinner (Nian Ye Fan), to welcome the Chinese New Year.
Students and teachers at the "Glorious Year of Guanghua" event on January 15th
"Future Leaders" students at reunion dinner (Nian Ye Fan) on January 21st
"Future Travelers"
While some students chose to stay in Beijing, some decided to hit the road and visit China during this time. Their travel routes are diverse. From the Great Wall hiking, going to temple fairs (miao hui), seeing ice sculptures in Harbin's Grand World of Ice and Snow, all the way down to the southern part of China, chilling by the Erhai Lake in Dali or strolling down the pedestrian street at the Zhongshan Road in Xiamen. They enjoyed the festive atmosphere and experienced culture in different regions.
Kelly, Clementine and Christian in Harbin | Zoe and Caroline in Xiamen
Helen and Weikai at Erhai, Dali | A group of "Future Leaders" students hiking on the Great Wall
