More than 30 students from UIC have chosen to stay on campus for the Chinese New Year during the winter vacation. Daily life services such as campus dining, express delivery, and convenience stores are uninterrupted.
Student Gao
During this holiday, Gao gave himself the main task of preparing for the IELTS test and preparing for the mathematical modelling competition. He spent the rest of his time reading extracurricular books and exercising.
Gao
The junior residence assistant in charge would ask about his life every day, which made him feel at home. Also, he can go out and shop to get daily needs. He joked that there are students who stay in college, and the six swans on the campus are no longer alone.
This year is the first time Gao has not returned home for the Chinese New Year. Gao explains that he was a bit homesick, mostly because his family wanted to see him who are not around all the year-round. However, they still supported him to stay in Zhuhai.
Student Chen
Chen explains that this particular time has allowed her to do what she wanted and gave her the whole time to develop her hobbies. She made arrangements for her winter vacation at college by doing all the different things she enjoys: learning Cantonese, skateboarding, photography, reading, practising calligraphy, and creating bookmarks.
Chen
Chen doesn't feel lonely on campus as the residence assistants are very concerned about her. The residence assistants often chat with her and ask about her recent life and mental state. They also help students solve various problems and make them feel warm and at ease.
As a freshman, this is the first time Chen has been away from home for so long. She explains that the feeling of homesickness will naturally occur. However, after video calls with her family and friends, she knows that they are all well and relieved. Chen also found a sense of belonging like home at UIC.
Chen cooks in the common room of the dormitory every day. For the upcoming Chinese New Year's Eve, Chen explained that she should make a video call to her family and friends, as well as prepare herself a hot pot meal, in addition to watching a movie.
Student Zhang
During the winter vacation, Zhang and his girlfriend are preparing for the IELTS test together. Apart from making video calls with relatives and friends at home to relieve his homesickness; Zhang has dedicated plenty of time to study. He would study in the dormitory study room every day, and the quiet environment made him more focused. Besides, he also does some part-time work to apply what he has learned. For Zhang, this is a rare opportunity to exercise and improve.
Zhang
The college's service to the remaining students made Zhang feel warm. In addition to daily catering, express delivery, and other services, Zhang also received a call from the Student Affairs Office. They called to inform him that they are preparing New Year's Eve dinner for the students on campus, making him feel pleasantly surprised. These arrangements made his new year even better.
Student Chang
On a quiet campus, it is rare to meet classmates when going out. Chang was a little uncomfortable at first. She practised the guitar, wrote a diary, made schedule books and settled down to read books in the dormitory every day. Gradually, she also began to enjoy this kind of leisurely life.
Chang
Chang explained that UIC's express delivery stations were not closed during the winter vacation, and it was still very convenient to buy things online. Convenience stores and cafeterias were still open. Chang said that her daily needs were not affected, and the general pace of life remained unchanged.
Student Xu
Xu often goes to the sports park for morning exercises, the library to study in the afternoon, and entertainment with friends in the evening. He hopes to maintain self-discipline and good learning and mental state during the winter vacation.
Xu
Xu explained that last semester's busy study arrangements have ended, so he can currently relax. He doesn't arrange much for himself every day. In terms of learning, Xu explained that it is mainly to preview some subjects for the next semester and start making plans for his future. It is all about maintaining self-discipline and good condition.
Xu's family supported him to stay at college and mailed him cakes and snacks. He plans to participate in a New Year's Eve dinner organised by the college to celebrate with other students who stayed in college.
From MPRO
Editors: Samuel Burgess, Deen He, Zhang Fan
