The Dragon hits Flinders
REPORTED BY LACHLAN WHITE.
Photography by Lachlan White.
The year of the dragon begins with a fire start on campus. A joint event between two cultural clubs, the Vietnamese Student Association and the Chinese Students and Scholars Association of Flinders University; with the assistance from International Students Services.
For many students who are studying abroad or away from their families, Lunar New Year can also be a lonely and challenging time. However, this event is a good opportunity for students to participate in this Bedford campus event, and there are a variety of activities to help students celebrate and connect with others who share their cultural heritage or interest.
Empire Times Editor, Lachlan White spoke to some at the event about Lunar New Year is a good opportunity for students to get involved in clubs and come together.
Jose Paulino from International Student Services commented
“Events like this is really important for the university and that's the reason why personally International student services. We work very closely with our international student clubs because we encourage we support and we want our international student clubs to share their culture. Food culture celebration because we want the university community to really understand that We've got 90 nationalities here on campus here and it's not just students, it's students and staff, right? That's how diverse this community is, this university is, and it's really important that we all understand. So that this whole university is harmonious, it's community minded because I’ve Worked here for eight years now. That's the feeling I always get from Flinders, it's community minded.”
“Because I’ve worked here for eight years now. That’s the feeling I always get from Flinders, it’s community minded. ”
I think this is the way that we connected and we let everyone experience. Yeah. And just something to kick start for for the new year. Yeah, I mean, the new semester.
“I think it is is. a home away from home. And not only for us, but also for our wider community. ”
Phuong from the Vietnamese Student Association told Empire Times.
I think it is is a home away from home and not only for us, but also for our wider community. And yeah, like sharing the culture in the bigger community of Flinders and we are the one that connected. and have this oneness even like, regardless of religion or culture. Or whatever you are from. Then we should share it together.
I think we should make this regular But this is this is the first year for blended event between 2 club. But we did that. We did similar before last year in OSS and it's just only for Community Vietnamese.
Phuong also said
And sharing not only with our two cultures, but also with the with the wider community and and like being being student inclusive as well, And also everyone was just connected.
“Spring Festival is very popular for Chinese people and then we want to show all the Chinese culture for everyone”
Vietnamese Flinders University Club, Photography by Lachlan White.
Tea provided by the Chinese Students and Scholars Association of Flinders University, Photography by Lachlan White.
Yao from the Chinese Students and Scholars Association of Flinders University said
“Spring Festival is very popular for Chinese people and then we want to show all the Chinese culture for everyone. Yeah we have dumplings And then like over there we have the rice stand, you can try it as well. Yeah. And also have the Tai Chi. Its a show”
