Celebrating Chinese New Year in America

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This world is populated by a variety of races that come from different cultures and different backgrounds. These people differ in many ways. Do you know Chinese in all over the world have something in common? It is the Chinese New Year! Chinese New Year is the most important festival in Chinese culture and it is celebrated once every year. They do not have a specify date for Chinese New Year because the date is set by traditional calendar that was invented in China long time ago. A day before Chinese New Year or known as Chinese New Year eve, family members who is working out of state will go back to their hometown to have a family gathering and a special dinner will be served. There is fifteen days of celebration in the Chinese New Year and each day carries a different meaning. For example, for the first day of Lunar New Year, it is the welcoming of gods from the heaven and earth. According to the elderly, the family members will gain protection from this goddess by worshipping them. Many Chinese will abstain from meat because they believe that this will ensure long and happy lives for them.

Most of the western people do not have a deep understanding of what Chinese New Year is all about. Further more, this is not a common festival that they is celebrated. As a result, it creates a big difference of the surroundings for Chinese New Year. The purpose of writing this research paper is to compare the ways international Chinese students celebrate Chinese New Year in United States of America.

I have been in America for 15 months; this is my second year celebrating my Chinese New Year in the states. Since I have been here, I have never enjoyed the Chinese New Year anymore. Things were different here. I still have to attend...

... middle of paper ...

...lso held a party in New Hub.

In conclusion, celebrating Chinese New Year in the states is different compare to other Chinese countries. It is difficult for a foreign Chinese student to adapt the different feeling of celebrating Chinese New Year. Chinese students from different counties have different ways to celebrate Chinese New Year. After I had been through a disappointing Chinese New Year for my first celebration in the states, I hope that other students would feel better for their first year in the United States. It helps to reduce the fear for international students of further their studies overseas. This research paper increases the understanding of different celebrations that are held by international students. After talking with students, I wanted to try to create a better Chinese New Year atmosphere next year in Indiana for those new Malaysian students.

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