The Pioneer, Vol. 52, Issue 4

Campus
Stepping into the
Chinese New Year
How students at Pierce celebrate
By CALVIN BEEKMAN
Staff Writer
CHINESE NEW YEAR CELE-
BRATES the beginning of the new year
on the Chinese calendar. It is one of the
world’s most prominent and celebrated
festivals. However, not everyone gets to
experience the celebration in their home
country. Many students who are studying
abroad in the U.S. find ways to celebrate
here.
In an email sent by Erik Gimness, director
of Institutional Research at Pierce,
he said, “Last year we had 96 international
students from China. This year,
we have 50 international students from
China as of winter quarter. However, we
are expecting that number to grow in
spring.”
Gimness said, “In general, enrollments
vary a bit from year to year, but I would
be surprised if by the end of spring quarter
we still saw such a large decrease from
last year. Also, the International Education
program is projecting an increase in
spring quarter,” he added.
Although it is not a formal holiday
in the U.S., it is still thought of and
observed by those who live here from
abroad. Two students spoke about their
experiences with the holiday back home
and what they liked best about it.
Loan Vo, or “Tracey” as she is known
at Pierce, is in her second quarter studying
business but thinking about transferring
to marketing management. Vo chose
to study here at Pierce because she enjoys
Washington’s weather, and the classes
were convenient for her.
Vo talked about her fond memories of
the holiday. “There’s always the traditional
food. Pork and eggs and a special cake
is always made,” she said. “There are also
lucky wars – competitions that happen
throughout the holiday.”
Sabrina Li, a peer tutor in the tutoring
center, is in her third year at Pierce. She
is studying business and came to Pierce
through the Running Start program. She
enjoys being in leadership positions and
connecting on campus. Li also observes
the holiday here in the states – or tries to,
at least.
“THE IMPORTANT PART
(OF CHINESE NEW
YEAR) IS THE UNITY
AND LOVE.”
— SABRINA LI, A
PIERCE COLLEGE
STUDENT
Sabrina Li’s favorite Chinese New Year
tradition is lucky money, and her favorite
symbol is 春 , which means “spring.”
“I want to celebrate with my host
family, but it’s a little tricky compared
to home with all that’s involved,” Li said.
“My favorite part back home was being
with family and watching the Gala (a
Chinese New Year special produced by
China Central Television).”
There are, of course, differences
between the Chinese New Year and the
New Year’s celebrations that are held in
the U.S. “It lasts three to four days longer,
and there’s ‘lucky money’ (money that
is given at the end of competitions to
younger people by older people),” Vo
said.
12 / piercepioneernews.com
February 11, 2019 / Vol. 52, Issue 4