Chinese New Year Party
A Chinese New Year Party that engages cultural learning, fosters community building, and sparks creativity.
Independent Project Spring 2024
Overview
WHY did I organize this event?
I found out with a surprise that the school did not have a community event for the Chinese New Year, despite a large number of Chinese international students, so I decided to organize one myself, for students to learn about Chinese cultures through an engaging, immersive experience and foster community building.
WHAT was in the event?
There were 3 major activities:
1
Dumpling Making
Students were invited to make and cook their own dumplings following the instructions, which is a traditional food on Chinese New Year Eve.
As NYU Tandon's Associate Dean of Student Life & Services Rosemary Ampuero shared in Interview, food is the top one motivator that drives students and faculty to events and build communal bonds.
This activity not only motivated students to come and participate in the event, but also allowed them to learn about Chinese culture and dumpling making, and fostered community building.
2
Spring Festival Blessing Calligraphy
It's a tradition to write and put up blessings on red paper, including spring couplets and blessing characters. Students were invited to create their own blessing decorations.
The activity was carefully designed to be inclusive and friendly to non-Chinese readers:
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There were pre-written blessing examples in Chinese that they can copy,
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The participants were encouraged to write in other languages and draw as well. Especially, they were prompted to write English words in a way that looks like Chinese characters, inspired by artist Xu Bing. For example, the "character" below is the word "rich" in disguise:
Rich
The activity included an introduction to spring couplets and blessing writing and a game on guessing the words written in "fake Chinese" before free writing, to better introduce the participants to the culture, the purpose of the activity, and the fun ways that they can engage in the activity.
Through this activity, participants learnt about the New Year blessing decorations in Chinese culture in a very fun and engaging way, experienced Chinese calligraphy, and unleashed creativity.
3
Trivia
The last activity was trivia themed on Chinese New Year traditions. Students learn fun facts and win prizes.
HOW was the event organized and what's my role?
The event was part of a larger event, an ECT program's party co-organized by a few ECT students. While Other organizers were in charge of regular party setups such as DJs and games, I was responsible for everything related to the Chinese New Year theme, from designing the activities and instructions, getting supplies and setting up spaces, to making posters and spreading the word, and leading and supervising the activities during the event. There were a few volunteers at the event whose help made it possible. The trivia activity was the only exception prepared and led by another event organizer Salome Yoryoliami.
