On February 15, 2022, it is coincidentally the fifteenth day of the first month of the lunar year. In a unique and festive vibe, the Lantern Festival coincided with the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. International students of Beijing Forestry University were invited to join the theme activity of "Lantern Festival" carried out by Huaqingyuan Community Youth Club.

Social workers and volunteers from Huaqingyuan community began with explaining the origin, the customs and significance of the Lantern Festival. Then, after introducing Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games, a knowledge quiz for the Winter Olympic Games began. The students raced to be the first to answer questions.

After the quiz, an exciting game of riddle guessing began. Led by social workers and volunteers, our international students gathered around the venue, guessing riddles and learning about Chinese culture of the Lantern Festival. Having the answers to the riddles, the students exchanged their lottery tickets accumulated in the guessing part for exquisite gifts.

In the laughter, the students started to make their own lanterns and TangYuan (glutinous rice dumplings) in two groups.

Our international students were really enjoyed in the activities. Here are their thoughts:

ANDREA MONA FRANCOISfrom Dominica：

Just as the sun slowly melts away the snowy remnants of the winter season

Likewise did this activity ignite a fire in my heart, melting away the boredom and restlessness of the winter vacation

So precious are the chances we have had to properly socialize with each other

So precious are the opportunities to enjoy the fellowship and kind of the locals

How heartwarming it was to feel welcomed at such an exhilarating activity

How energizing it was to laugh and smile with each other

How rewarding it was to participate in the challenges

And how accomplished it felt to have won a prize

Gratitude is definitely due to the planners, volunteers and teachers for their hard efforts in allowing foreign students to enjoy such a wonderful occasion

TULEI LAAVASAfrom Samoa：

Today I had a wonderful time,celebratingthe Lantern Festival with volunteers and other international students from other schools. This great opportunity gavemea chanceto taste the sweetness in my busy life.I had a lot of funinplayingthe game and it's a wonderful moment.While playing the "Guessword Puzzle" game, I was verylucky and happyto get the prize as a souvenir gift. Although I found that I made tang-yuan very ugly when I made it, making tang-yuan was full of warmth like a family reunion.