2025-01-28│ Secretariat Office The Chinese New Year's Eve reunion dinner is something everyone looks forward to. To ensure that international students staying in Taiwan could also enjoy a warm gathering, CHU’s International Affairs Office and International Preparatory Program specially hosted a "Chinese New Year's Eve Dinner" event on the 27th. Guided by instructors from the College of Tourism, Malaysian students from the culinary program showcased their skills by preparing a variety of dishes, including Cantonese fried rice, stir-fried water spinach with shrimp paste, and Thai-style shrimp balls. This allowed international students to experience the festive atmosphere and warmth of the Lunar New Year right on campus!

Photo / Malaysian students from the culinary program preparing New Year dishes, showcasing what they’ve learned!

Amy Chuang, Head of Student Affairs at CHU's International Preparatory Program, mentioned that this is the third consecutive year the Chinese New Year's Eve dinner event has been held. This year, over 50 international students from Vietnam, Malaysia, and Indonesia stayed at the school to celebrate the New Year. To make the event more meaningful, the university invited instructors Zijie Wang and Yaoling Chen from the Department of Hospitality to lead Malaysian students from the culinary program in preparing several traditional Chinese New Year dishes loved by Chinese communities, such as Cantonese fried rice, Vietnamese lemongrass chicken, and stir-fried water spinach with shrimp paste. Besides giving students a chance to showcase their skills, the event also aimed to strengthen bonds among peers, teachers, and students through the festive activities.

Photo / Teachers and students preparing Thai-style shrimp balls and other delicacies, allowing international students to enjoy a feast.

Hsinhui Li, a first-year student from the overseas youth program, shared that she decided to stay in Taiwan this year to experience the joy of celebrating the Chinese New Year. Cooking familiar dishes with classmates on the eve of the New Year felt just like helping her family prepare meals back in Malaysia—warm and comforting. Everyone played Malaysian New Year songs while cooking and singing together, creating a joyful and memorable experience.

Photo / Amy Chuang (first from left), Head of Student Affairs at CHU's International Preparatory Program, hosted the "Chinese New Year's Eve Dinner" event for the third consecutive year, allowing international students to feel the festive atmosphere and warmth.

Yimin Huang, a fellow student from the same program, mentioned that in Malaysia, there is a tradition called "lo shei," where families gather to toss and mix ingredients while reciting auspicious phrases, symbolizing prosperity for the year ahead—a lively and fun activity. This year in Taiwan, she visited the Chinese New Year market and local attractions with classmates, which also felt full of festive spirit. She hopes to maintain a positive attitude toward learning in the coming year and aspires to work in Taiwan in the future, unlocking more local holiday cultures along the way.

Photo / Kongduo Qiu (middle), CHU’s Chief Military Instructor, attends the event annually to show support and care for the safety of international students.