The Associated Students Interested in China (ASIC) hosted a banquet on Friday, Feb. 17, to celebrate and educate about the Lunar New Year.
The event’s main presentation consisted of remarks from Zebadiah Hall, Vice President of the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, followed by educational guest speakers Chia-ying Tsai and Leo Li, two exchange students currently attending the University of Wyoming who hail from East Asia.
The event, with over 200 participants in attendance, also offered a prize raffle and a catered dinner.
The ASIC often partners with the UW Chinese Language program and hopes to promote cross-cultural communication.
“It’s about bringing people from all different backgrounds together to do things like this, to learn about Chinese culture [and] have a safe space to discuss these things,” Paolina Rose, former ASIC President who was in charge of the event, said.
“People have heard of Chinese New Year, but actually getting to experience it and have people who grew up in these cultures, talk about their favorite parts and what they love– it’s super important to kind of have those two worlds combine, the academic and the social.”
Students in attendance explained that the event provided them a unique and appreciated opportunity to learn more about Chinese culture.
“I’m interested in Asian culture because I just don’t have a lot of information about it. I don’t know a lot of Asian students and I don’t have the opportunity to study with them and all that, so I think it’s interesting,” Camila Moya, a Grad Student in attendance, said.
“I’m really grateful for the opportunities that the university gives to the students. I mean, in my case, I’m an international student, so it is really good for us to learn about different cultures apart from just what you learn within the classroom.”
Event organizers were ecstatic with the event’s turnout and outcome, expressing that they were happy to see people come together.
“We all have a different story. We all have a different reason for being here,” Rose said.
“[We hope to] bring people together to learn about we’re the oldest creatures on earth, to see the beauty of something you might have not seen otherwise and to create a celebration where everyone can be together and enjoy together.”
