Campus celebrates Chinese New Year

Posted: February 20, 2015 8:10 a.m.

The Regina Chinese Canadian Association helped the community mark Chinese New Year with cultural performances on February 14.. Photo courtesy Confucius Institute

Chinese New Year is the largest and longest national holiday in China, spanning 15 days.  

Some students at the University of Regina are returning home to China to welcome the New Year. Others are staying in Regina to mark the New Year by getting together and visiting. 

“Chinese students here on campus visit each other’s residences, and then go to one place and cook a big meal together,” explains Winnia Zhang, Global Learning Centre Coordinator and Life Skills Advisor at UR International.

Because Chinese New Year falls during Reading Week this year, there are fewer events on campus than usual to mark the occasion. Knowing that many people would be away on February 19 – the actual start of the New Year  – the Chinese Students’ Association, with support from UR international, organized a supper at the University’s Education Auditorium on January 30, 2015. Approximately 600 people turned out for the event.

There was a lot to celebrate. This is the Year of the Ram, which means a year of promise and prosperity. 

“No matter which year it is and which symbol is used, there’s always good luck with the Chinese New Year. It’s a new beginning and everything is better. I trust the students will be more excited about what they’re doing here when they come back from Reading Week, be happier and do better in their studies,” says Zhang. 

This support for international students demonstrates the importance of two of the University of Regina’s three Strategic Priorities – Student Success and Commitment to Our Communities, as outlined in the new strategic plan, http://www.uregina.ca/strategic-plan/.  

For more information about the supports offered through UR International, please visit: http://www.uregina.ca/international/