Cheng Shiu University’s international students stayed in Taiwan during the Lunar New Year over the winter break. The Office of International Affairs specially hosted the “Welcomes Good Fortune in the Year of the Snake and Wishes a Great Year Ahead” event this year for international students. This event allows them to experience Taiwanese Lunar New Year festivities through activities such as divination blocks, fortune-telling, and fun competitions. They even performed the trendy “APT” dance during the event, bringing smiles to everyone’s faces. President Rui-Zhang Gong remarked that the event helped international students better understand Taiwan's New Year holiday traditions while enjoying the vibrant atmosphere to welcome the upcoming Lunar New Year.

As the Lunar New Year approached, the University wanted to ease the homesickness of the 130 international students from Indonesia and Vietnam who were unable to return home to celebrate with their families this year. The Office of International Affairs at Cheng Shiu University specially organized the “Welcomes Good Fortune in the Year of the Snake and Wishes a Great Year Ahead” Lunar New Year event for them. With the theme of “Sports Day,” the “Creative Snake Entrance” was led by Indonesia’s auspicious symbols—the “Ox” and the “Eagle”—as they entered the venue alongside President Rui-Zhang Gong, faculty, and international students. International students sang and danced, showcasing their youthful energy and creating a lively, vibrant atmosphere.

Athletes took an oath in Mandarin, English, Vietnamese, and Indonesian, making it feel like an international fun competition. The organizers also arranged an “APT” warm-up exercise, where President Gong, Vice President Zheng Shun-Ren, and Dean of the College of Engineering Huang-Kuang Kung joined. They enthusiastically waved their arms and lifted their legs, moving their bodies full of enthusiasm and energy.

The event featured traditional activities, including divination blocks and drawing fortune sticks. This gave international students a hands-on experience of Taiwan's Lunar New Year customs, allowing them to enjoy the festive atmosphere. Tran Thi Anh Tuyet, a first-year student from Vietnam majoring in the Department of Tourism and Recreation, shared her excitement after drawing a fortune stick. She explained that Vietnam has a similar tradition during the Lunar New Year. She drew a good fortune stick and felt very happy, believing that the coming year would bring her good luck.

Truong Nguyen Que Tran, a first-year student from Vietnam majoring in the Department of Food and Beverage Management, expressed her joy at participating in the event. She also mentioned that the experience helped her better appreciate Taiwanese culture.