On the afternoon of February 10, the International School successfully held the Spring Festival Gala for international students themed “Dumpling Feast for the New Spring and Reunion”. Present at the event were Xiang Fengri, Deputy Secretary of the University Party Committee, Li Jianjun, Vice President and Member of the University Party Committee, and Cai Haijiang, Member of the University Party Committee and Director of the Publicity Department. He Chenggang, Director of the Exit-Entry Administration Division of Taizhou Public Security Bureau, representatives from the Exit-Entry Administration Division of Jiaojiang District, Taizhou Entry-Exit Border Inspection Station, Taizhou Human Resources Association, China Unicom Taizhou Branch and other relevant units were also invited to attend the party. More than 60 international students from all over the world gathered together to welcome the Year of Horse and celebrate the festive reunion.

Group photo at the party

Accompanied by melodious and cheerful traditional Chinese folk music, international students signed in, pausing at the calligraphy experience area. Holding writing brushes, they carefully copied Spring Festival couplets and the Chinese character “Fu” (blessing). With every stroke, they not only experienced the unique charm of Chinese characters, but also infused their best wishes for the new spring into the ink and brush. After the warm-up session, the party officially began. On behalf of the university, Li Jianjun delivered a warm and passionate New Year speech. He sincerely thanked the public security authorities, Taizhou Human Resources Association, China Unicom Taizhou Branch, and relevant departments for their strong support to the university’s international student education. He also extended his most sincere festive greetings to all participants. In his speech, he introduced the traditional food customs around the Chinese Spring Festival to the international students, encouraging them to experience more of Chinese culture and become envoys of friendly exchanges between China and other countries.

Making dumplings

During the dumpling-making session, teachers demonstrated how to fill and fold dumplings, and the international students enthusiastically joined in. Although they were still a little unfamiliar and their dumplings came out in all shapes and sizes, every single one was filled with sincerity and good wishes. As they were making dumplings, they shared festive traditions in their own countries, deepening mutual understanding and friendship through interaction. After this, cultural performances and games took turns, lifting the event to a lively climax. International student OBLECHOR JESSE STONE (Chinese name: 杰西) sang Easy to Love, and EZENWEGBU FAVOUR ONYEKA (Chinese name: 心悦) performed Count on Me. Their melodic voices won waves of applause from the audience. The ping-pong ball relay and dumpling-eating contest were full of fun, with international students taking part actively and laughter filling the venue. Three rounds of lucky draws brought continuous surprises, and each gift carried the school’s New Year blessings, making the international students feel warm. Towards the end, all teachers and students sat together to enjoy the dumplings. The hot dumplings chased away the winter chill, with the warmth lingering on their tongues and in their hearts.

International students write the Chinese character Fu (blessing)

Ping-Pong Ball Relay Race

The Spring Festival Gala, bonded by food and bridged by culture, not only provided international students with an immersive experience of traditional Chinese Lunar New Year customs, but also built a platform for cultural exchange. It demonstrated the vitality and warmth of Taizhou University and helped international students better integrate into Chinese campus life.