Far from home, full of warmth: Tongji celebrates the New Year with its international community

As the Spring Festival approaches, red lanterns are hung high on Tongji University’s campus, filling every corner with a joyous festive atmosphere. With the New Year drawing near, many international students stay on campus during the winter vacation and are unable to reunite with their families overseas. To ensure these students who choose to welcome the New Year at Tongji have a lively and peaceful Chinese New Year, the International Student Office has prepared heartwarming initiatives, bringing the warmth of home to campus.

Heartwarming Gift Packages, Full of Sincere Care

Each New Year gift package is the first Spring Festival surprise from the International Student Office to international students staying on campus. Inside, they found: a red scarf symbolizing good luck, adding warmth and auspiciousness to the winter; a rich snack package to satisfy every taste; fresh apples wishing peace and health, conveying sincere New Year blessings; and specially prepared free meal coupons from New Year’s Eve to the third day of the lunar New Year, sparing students any worry about meals during the holiday.

From scarves that ward off the cold to meal coupons that warm the stomach, from sweet treats to apples of good fortune, every gift reflects the university’s thoughtful care for its international students. When receiving the packages, the students beamed with joy and expressed their heartfelt thanks to the university and the International Student Office staff. Countless “Thank you!” and “Thank you, Tongji!” filled the winter campus with warmth that knows no borders.

Wonderful Activities, A Date for Reunion

Beyond the gift packages, the university has also prepared a variety of Spring Festival activities for international students staying on campus—offering them a chance to experience Chinese New Year traditions and ease homesickness through togetherness. On February 7, the International Student Office will host a festive garden party featuring folk culture activities, inviting students to discover the unique charm of traditional Chinese festivals through laughter and hands-on fun. That evening, all students staying on campus will gather for a warm reunion dinner, sharing steaming dishes and heartfelt conversation on an unforgettable New Year’s night.

As the years turn, the warmth stays. Tongji University has always stood by its students, using real action to build bridges between cultures. This Spring Festival, the campus under red lanterns glows even brighter—because of a care that crosses mountains and seas, and because of the lasting, cherished memories international students carry with them from Tongji.

Source: Tongji University