CBU students celebrate the Lunar New Year

Riverside, Calif. (Feb. 4, 2022)— Students at California Baptist University welcomed the Lunar New Year with martial arts demonstrations, music, a dragon and lion dance, and a variety of Asian foods on Feb. 3.

Lunar New Year is an event celebrated in many Asian cultures, said Courtney Watson, director of International Student Services.

“It’s an opportunity for us to showcase a culture that is widely represented here on campus,” Watson said.

The Lunar New Year began on Feb. 1 and the celebration of it continues into February.

Willow Beach, a psychology and music freshman, enjoyed the dragon and lion dance as well as the variety of snacks and boba tea offered.

“I was really interested in seeing CBU bring different cultures in and getting to experience cultures I haven't really had experience with first-person,” Beach said.

Koichi Furusawa, a business administration junior from Japan, sang the Japanese song “Kanden,” which translates to “Electric Shock.” Japan does not celebrate Lunar New Year.

“It was a really good cultural exchange for me as an international student,” he said.

The event brings Asian and American students together, Watson said.

“Seeing our students who volunteer here and the ones that are performing … light up with excitement watching their American friends get excited about their culture is really heartwarming. That's why we do what we do at the International Center,” Watson said.