On the eve of the Lunar New Year, Tunghai University President Mao-Jiun Wang, Chief International Officer Annie Y. Tsai, Student Labor dean I-Min Tso, Office of Public Relations Director April Chen, and International Student Affairs Chih-Yun Wu visited the international student dormitory to cheer up international students who were unable to go home for the holidays due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The school also prepared a "warmth kit" to bring the students a warm with family touch.

 

 

President Wang explained the significance of the different items in the warmth kit; a coin symbolizing new beginnings; an orange for good-luck; an apple for peace and safety; and a tiny red-envelope gifted by the Taichung City Mayor which was captioned, ‘dashing toward happiness’. A Tunghai postcard was included for the students to send their festive experiences and greetings back to their families.

 

 

 

 

Chief International Officer Annie Y. Tsai said that among the approximately 1,000 international students, 252 stayed in the dorm for the winter break. The International Office delivered new year meals and warmth kits to all of them. Student Labor dean I-Min Tso shared interesting new year customs and experiences in Taiwan with the students . To invigorate the event, exchange of new year fun couplets was designed for the international students. In order for the students to understand the contents of the couplets, local students explained the contents with body language before each international student chose their favorite line and formed in pairs to exchange the typical lunar new year symbol of good wishes.