Overseas students in Hangzhou taste Chinese New Year customs

Some overseas students at Zhejiang Gongshang University of Hangzhou, Zhejiang province present spring couplets at a Spring Festival gathering in campus on Feb 1. [Photo/zjol.com.cn]

As the Chinese Lunar New year, or the Spring Festival is around the corner, a celebration for international students was held in Zhejiang Gongshang University to mark the upcoming festival in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, on Feb 1.

Roughly 200 overseas students from 50 countries and regions across the world including Zimbabwe, Kazakhstan, Uzbekista, Indonesia, Bangladesh, and Cambodia experienced the Spring Festival culture and learned from Chinese experts the skills of Chinese calligraphy, dumpling making and Chinese folk song singing.

Some overseas students at Zhejiang Gongshang University of Hangzhou, Zhejiang province make dumplings at a Spring Festival gathering in campus on Feb 1. [Photo/zjol.com.cn]

Yaqubov Abdullo from Tajikistan received cut outs of the fu character, which means happiness and good fortune from the school president. "This is the best Chinese gift I have ever received," said the boy who is interested in Chinese, adding that he wants to be a Chinese teacher back home after graduation.

"Chinese festivals make us feel the warmth of home," said two girls from Turkmenistan who wish their family and friends good health and happiness.

During the winner break, Zhejiang Gongshang University will organize an array of cultural activities for its 600 overseas students, with the hope to promote Chinese traditional culture and improve the Chinese proficiency of the students.

Some overseas students at Zhejiang Gongshang University of Hangzhou, Zhejiang province at a Spring Festival gathering in campus on Feb 1 [Photo/zjol.com.cn]