On January 25th, Leshan Vocational and Technical College held the "Wishing You a Prosperous Year of the Snake – International Students' 2025 Chinese New Year Experience Activity." Over 80 international students from Laos, Thailand, Russia, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Bangladesh, and other countries immersed themselves in a rich tapestry of traditional Chinese culture, fully experiencing the festive atmosphere of the Chinese New Year.

During the event, Zhou Qili, a teacher at Leshan Vocational and Technical College and a member of the Provincial Calligraphers Association, wrote the character for "blessing" on fans and gave out Spring Festival couplets to the international students. The students, holding the fans, were delighted and couldn't bear to part with them. They also picked up calligraphy brushes, learning to write horizontal and vertical strokes, and experiencing the unique charm of Chinese calligraphy. Through their writing, they expressed their love for Chinese culture and their best wishes for the New Year.

In the traditional folk games section, the students eagerly participated in traditional Chinese sports such as cuju (ancient Chinese football), ritual archery, and arrow pitching. They also enthusiastically joined interactive games like the "Evergreen Forest," "Rooster Laying Eggs," and "Snack Battle," enjoying the festive atmosphere of the Spring Festival while discovering the charm of traditional culture and unlocking new ways to have fun.

The most lively part of the event was the making of glutinous rice balls (tangyuan). A pastry chef introduced to the students the symbolism of tangyuan and the method of making them. Under the chef's guidance, the students learned how to mix glutinous rice flour with water to form dough, divide the dough into small pieces, fill them with stuffing, and roll them into round shapes. Everyone was busy and happy, enjoying the fun of traditional food preparation. The venue was filled with laughter and a strong festive atmosphere.

Subsequently, the staff boiled the tangyuan made by the students and served them along with a sumptuous Chinese meal. The international students savored the tangyuan they had made themselves and other traditional Chinese delicacies, experiencing the atmosphere of the Spring Festival reunion dinner. During the meal, the students shared their feelings and experiences of the Spring Festival culture, and the college teachers also extended their festival greetings, creating a warm and joyful atmosphere.

"This is my first time participating in a Spring Festival event. I have experienced the charm of the traditional Chinese festival and I am very happy. I wish everyone a prosperous Year of the Snake!" Wang Weixin, a 20-year-old international student from Laos, said that the event allowed her to feel the liveliness and joy of the Chinese New Year. She also took many videos to introduce Chinese culture to more people.

Zhang Jingjing, Deputy Director of the International Cooperation Office at Leshan Vocational and Technical College, said that the college's Spring Festival cultural experience activity for international students has been held continuously for 13 years. The aim is to allow international students staying on campus to deeply experience traditional Chinese Spring Festival culture, enhance their understanding and identification with Chinese culture, and genuinely fall in love with China and Chinese culture. The college also hopes that after graduation, these students will become ambassadors of Chinese culture and build a strong bridge for cultural exchanges between China and other countries.