UIC celebrated the Lantern Festival by hosting a vibrant welcome dinner for its students on 12 February 2025. The event, which celebrated cultural unity and academic promise, brought together international and exchange-in students, those in the Extended Study Programme (ESP), and international interns. This semester, UIC's international community has grown to more than 50 students from a diverse range of countries, including the US, Germany and France.
The festivities began with a warm welcome. UIC Provost and Acting Associate Vice President (Internationalisation) Prof Patrick Chau captivated the audience with a heartfelt message, emphasising UIC's commitment to providing a rich educational experience. He shared four key pieces of advice: learn from textbooks and peers, step out of your comfort zone, aim ambitiously beyond limits, and cultivate a good understanding of Chinese culture while enhancing global competencies.
UIC Provost and Acting Associate Vice President (Internationalisation) Prof Patrick Chau
UIC Associate Vice President (Teaching and Learning) and Dean of Graduate School Prof Huang Yu encouraged students to explore the friendly and dynamic community at UIC and discover their passions for study and life. He also mentioned the establishment of the UIC Boston Center, showcasing UIC's dedication to offering students broader global opportunities.
UIC Associate Vice President (Teaching and Learning) and Dean of Graduate School Prof Huang Yu
UIC Associate Vice President (Student Development) Prof Stella Cho highlighted the success and growth of UIC's ESP, introducing students to the resources and opportunities available at UIC and in the Greater Bay Area (GBA), encouraging them to grow academically while experiencing the Chinese culture and diverse school life, pointing out exciting internships and exploration opportunities.
UIC Associate Vice President (Student Development) Prof Stella Cho
UIC Vice President (Administration) hands out red packets to students
Director of UIC International Development Office Dr Katharina Yu hosts the event
The Lantern Festival celebration featured traditional Chinese elements, and for Danelya Serik from Kazakhstan, a first-year student of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at UIC, it was her first time celebrating the festival and eating tangyuan.
Danelya Serik
"I love the atmosphere of the event; everyone is enjoying themselves," she said. "I had never tried tangyuan before. At first, I was confused about what it was, but after tasting it, I found it delicious." Serik noted her participation in various activities at UIC to deepen her understanding of Chinese traditional cultures. "These activities make the cultures more accessible to foreigners," she added.
Noah-Maximilian Bonekamp from Germany, who is studying at UIC via the ESP this semester, said he was not only experiencing the Lantern Festival for the first time but also the Chinese New Year. "It's exciting to see someone is celebrating New Year for this long. I think it's a great tradition and incredible to see," he remarked. He was also excited about the surprises and opportunities that UIC and the GBA would bring to him during his learning journey here to deepen his understanding of China.
Noah-Maximilian Bonekamp
Chelsea Leong from Ireland, currently interning at UIC, described her experience. She's familiar with the festival thanks to her family but still finds excitement in celebrating it with friends in China while experiencing different cultures. "(Compared with other options, coming to UIC) is the better choice I've made after graduating." She added that after a semester of internship, she has gained a lot and has new ideas for her future.
Chelsea Leong
From MPRO
Video: Season Li, Owen Li
Photographer: Owen Li
Reporter: Cecilia Yu, Cheryl Chen
