In the Rosenwald ISAP suite, students gathered to celebrate the Lunar New Year with food and great conversation.

They served steamed and fried dumplings, noodles, vegetables, different choices of meat, and fried rice. They also had some delicious rice cakes that everyone should try.

Samuel Aguilar is one of the students who came to celebrate.

Brian and Allison Lee also came to celebrate. Brian Lee explained that in Korea, they have to bow to the Elders and then the Elders will hand them money when celebrating the new year.

From left to right we have Brandon Vistan, Yingchu Chen (Taiwanese), and Alessi Villanueva (Filipino). Alessi Villanueva said that her family celebrates the new year “with lots of Chinese food, fireworks, and different traditions. Like having 12 round food on the table to represent the new year and have good luck”. Yingchu Chen celebrates by “having a big dinner with family that has traditional foods. They give each other a red envelope with about 600 Taiwan dollar. “It is a symbol of luck because 6 means a smooth year”.

Freddy Lee celebrates the new year with “떡국 [Tteokguk]. Its like rice cake soup. For every bowl you eat you add a year to your life”