Kean University held our annual Lunar New Year Celebration on Feb. 1 in Townsend Hall. This event allowed many students to learn about Chinese culture and expand their mindset on how many celebrate the Lunar year.

With over 30 students attending this event both in person and virtually, it was a great opportunity to explore the Chinese traditions and cultural celebrations involved coming into the new year of the tiger.

Graduate Assistant for the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and host of the event, Marie-Esther Ahone stated, “I did not plan this on my own.”

Ahone then credited Student Government Class of 2024, Kean Wellness Center, Chinese Students and Scholars Association, Kean Pulse, Kean Alumni Engagement and the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

Additionally she reported that there are many more organizations that should be thanked for this event to occur for our fellow students, faculty and staff.

Although, being half in person and half virtual, it was such a comforting feeling seeing students of many different cultures come together in order to learn more about another culture. 

Virtually, students engaged in making dumplings and were able to execute that knowledge in person. There was an interactive Kahoot game and cultural food for those who attended. The Kahoot game consisted of facts and new information about Chinese culture and Lunar Year.

Sophomore, student assistant of Asian Studies, Mollie Engel said that this event was “definitely fun, the last two weeks I have been included on the plan of this event.”

Engel was grateful to hear from many students and faculty being informed about this event and also informing others about this event.

Kean University offers a Chinese studies program for those interested in furthering their knowledge on Chinese culture based on their language, culture, social politics and global influence. For further information, students can click this link.

Another upcoming event that students can join is the Lunar New Year Celebration at Liberty Hall Museum on Saturday, Feb. 12 from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Volunteers are still needed.

Furthermore, there are clubs on campus for students to join, one specifically is the Hallyu Club which spreads knowledge on Korean pop culture.

Kean University is an extremely diverse community where we will all be able to continue paving the way for our students to learn about each other.