When studying abroad, students have to face the challenge of dealing with new surroundings, new people and possibly feeling out of place. At Kean University, that feeling is being combated by the creation of Wenzhou-Kean University Student Association (WKUSA).
Kean University's Union Campus and Wenzhou-Kean University are Kean's campuses in Union, NJ and Wenzhou, China that give students at both institutions a chance to travel to each other's countries to study, learn more about the culture and experience a new way of life. With all that traveling, it became important to create an organization where students could comfortably integrate into their new lives.
To do so the Division of Student Affairs came up with the plan of creating an organization like WKUSA, alongside the pilot mentor program for Wenzhou students. This organization was established at Kean University in January of 2016. The plan for WKUSA was not only to make it easier for students from the Wenzhou campus to adjust to life at Kean a little easier, but also to provide events and functions that would bring the students of Wenzhou-Kean University and Kean University together.
This is achieved through events like their past study abroad workshop on Thursday, Nov. 21 held during college hour. Together with the Center for International Studies, WKUSA was able to provide information and answer questions about what studying abroad at Wenzhou-Kean University would be like. The events continued that night from 6 to 9 p.m. witha Hot Pot Asian Style event hosted by Student Organization. This event was held in Downs Hall and was a chance for students to meet organization members, enjoy some Hotpot together and make some new friends.
The club is for both Kean Students and Wenzhou Kean students to interact, learn more about each other and create an environment that both celebrates and brings together the differences in all of us. All students on campus are welcome to come to events and meetings. This club is a chance for people to immerse themselves in Chinese culture and make new friends along the way.
Mei-Ling Cheng the club adviser said, "WKUSA’s vision is to unite students from both Wenzhou-Kean University and Kean University campuses through social, cultural and community-based activities to bridge differences, promote cultural awareness and celebrate diversity. The philosophy of WKUSA emphasizes promoting respecting cultural differences and encouraging cross-cultural interaction on Kean campus."
WKUSA's next event is their general body meeting on Thursday, Dec. 5 from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the Center for Academic Success (CAS), Room 245.
For more information on WKUSA, student's can visit their page on Cougar Link. If anyone is interested in learning more about Wenzhou-Kean University they can visit their website.
