After detailed planning and careful coordination, the first cohort of PKU Guanghua’s Future Leaders Program hosted their 2021 Spring Festival Party on February 6th. Despite the limitations of the online venue, the planning committee designed engaging and interactive events that greatly enlivened the atmosphere. Faculty members, students’ family members, and program staff were all invited to join the celebration.

Welcome

The event began with words of welcome from Guanghua leadership. Prof. Liu Qiao, Dean of Guanghua, and Prof. Zhou Li-an, Associate Dean of Guanghua and Academic Director of the Future Leaders Program, delivered heartwarming speeches, in which they commended the efforts of the Future Leaders students in the program during this adverse pandemic and expressed their best wishes for the Chinese new year along with hopes that we will all soon be reunited in the campus.

Performances

Then, to start off the day’s interactive festivities, performances were given by groups of students. Through these performances, the students were able to showcase their talents, creativity, and diverse traditional backgrounds. The passions these students demonstrated through their performances revealed the eclectic profile of the Future Leaders program. The animated performances were so well conducted that the audience enjoyed the same experience as if watching it live.

My Spring Festival Traditions

Building up the festive atmosphere, the performances were followed by an easygoing discussion of “My Spring Festival Traditions”. With themes ranging from food, presents, etiquette, decorations, students with different cultural backgrounds share their special ways of celebrating the festival back home. For example, stories were shared about hanging Chinese Red Lanterns and door couplets for good luck in China, or tossing the sashimi high and shouting out “Huat Ah” in Singapore. Some of these traditions call back nostalgic memories; others bring on tender feelings. Such a discussion not only helped students who are not familiar with the Chinese tradition understand the significance of the Spring Festival, but also strengthened the bonds between cohort members.

Competitions

The festivity reached its peak when friendly competitions were held between groups. It gave way to heated competition among members trying to succeed for their group in both physical and intellectual challenges. Physical challenges involved sit-ups or pushups while the intellectual competition was about tongue twisters and a trivia Kahoot. Everyone had a good laugh when fellow cohort members, encouraged by the bonus points, showed their hidden talents. Students witnessed one-of-a-kind performances such as original drawing, saying their ABC’s backwards, or playing Brazilian drums and got to know a little bit more about each other.

Prize Awarding & Best Wishes

The event concluded with awarding prizes and sending warm wishes to members whose birthdays are in January and February. A round of applause was also given to the student government cohort for their contributions in helping and organizing various events along the year such as informal networking meetings between Future Leaders members and discussion meetups with faculty and professors. Notwithstanding the pandemic keeping people physically apart, the vibrant community of Guanghua has brought Future Leaders members closer heart to heart.

I had so much fun in all the organized events. They definitely were the highlight of the semester.——Alba Lin, Italy

I really enjoyed them because this is the only other contact point besides lectures. I think it is so important to get to know each one with fun activities because of the current situation of not being able to see each other in person.——Nina Baal, Germany

It was really moving to see the birthday party. And the Spring Festival Party indeed brought me lots of laughter. Students in our program are all really cute, and I really like to spend time with them.——Qiushi Mei, China