Chinese Program Update

Ninth Annual Knox Asian Festival 

The Chinese program held a cultural exhibition booth at the Ninth Knox Asian Festival in World’s Fair Park August 28. Dan Wang set up the cultural booth, and interacted with visitors along with Chuan–Hui Weng, Yen–Chen Hao, and some students from Chinese classes. By promoting the Chinese culture and language in a local event with many visitors, the Chinese program hoped to help the Knoxville community gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of a different culture.

UT International Festival

During the 2022 UT International Festival, the Chinese Culture Club organized a culture tent and sold bubble tea to raise funds for the club’s future events. Additionally, through the promotion of the organization and Chinese culture at the culture tent, the CCC introduced the club to new students. Dan Wang also invited local performers to perform a Chinese Dance: Rhythm of Fall. This dance depicts the sweetness and sadness of the season of fall, as the lyric describes in the form of Chinese traditional verses. It is important that the CCC and the Chinese Program continues their participation in UT’s annual International Festival for the positive impacts it has on the UT community. 

Hardin Valley Academy Recruitment

Yen-Chen Hao, Chuan-Hui Weng, and one Chinese minor student visited a Chinese 2 class at Hardin Valley Academy Oct. 26. The faculty talked about the UT Chinese program, study-abroad opportunities, and the Chinese Culture Club. The Chinese minor student shared his college experience, focusing on the motivation and benefit of learning Chinese. He also led a China-themed trivia game. The HVA students were very engaged and responsive. We all had fun during the one-hour visit.

International coffee house featuring CHIN 432 class

Dan Wang (Chinese) led her students from Chinese 432 to host an International Coffee House Wed., Feb. 1 in Hodges Library. The students gave poster presentations on Chinese Year (history, tradition, food, legend, and Chinese zodiac). This event was co-hosted with UT I-House. It was an excellent opportunity to showcase their language skills and promote cultural awareness and understanding.

Chinese Lantern Festival

The Chinese Culture Club celebrated the Chinese Lantern Festival Feb. 6 on campus. The CCC officers prepared Tangyuan, a traditional Chinese dessert of this festival, for all attendees. Everyone enjoyed different flavors of Tanyuan, watched Chinese TV shows, guessed riddles, and learned the traditions of this important festival. This event provided an entertaining and effective way to spread Chinese cultural awareness to the community.

Dumpling Night

The Chinese Culture Club hosted a Dumpling Night Feb. 27 at the I-House Great Room. The CCC officers prepared both pork and vegetarian dumpling filling pre-made and taught everyone how to fold traditional style Chinese dumplings. Attendee made dumplings and enjoyed their handmade delicious dumplings. It was a fun and engaging experience for all.

China Day

The Chinese Program and the Chinese Culture Club hosted the first every China Day May 4 in I-House Great Room. Around 100 students and faculty attended the event. It featured a fashion exhibition demonstrating traditional Chinese clothes and a China-themed talent show performed by Chinese learners and Chinese international students. 

It was great to see so many Chinese language learners challenging themselves to sing a Chinese song, to recite a Chinese poem, and to do Chinese Kung Fu Shan dance (a traditional Chinese Tai Chi martial art using a fan weapon). This event showcased students’ passion and enjoyment of learning the Chinese language and Chinese culture, and it also provided a good opportunity for our students and Chinese international students to build friendship in a friendly competition. This event was sponsored by CGE Global Catalyst Programing Grant, CFAAPI, and the Asian Studies program.

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