BY: TIANYU ZHANG (MARK)
The Chinese Students and Scholars Association (CSSA) is a student organization established by Chinese students who study abroad. Nearly every university in the United States has their own organization CSSA.
The CSSA-FHSU was established in 2006 and has grown to 130 Chinese students membership.“ The purposes to which the CSSA is dedicated are as follows: to promote the communication among its members, to organize, promote and conduct activities beneficial to its members, to disseminate information of interest to its members, to promote the friendship, culture exchange with the other organizations and communities at Fort Hays State University, in Hays, and in the United States.” said Qifan Hu.
“We will organize different activities at different times. For example, we organized the 2016 Mid-Autumn Festival evening party in Union Ballroom. CSSA provided delicious Chinese food and karaoke for everyone who joined us, we looked like a big family!” said Xin Liu, vice-president of CSSA-FHSU.
“During FHSU Homecoming Parade, we organized The Dragon Dance Team to show our Chinese traditional culture, let more Americans who have never been to China to learn and understand what is real Chinese traditional culture. At the same time, CSSA organized this activity to bring Chinese students together, make them happy and enjoy the festivities,” said Dr. Chunfu Zhang, a geography professor at FHSU.
With the growth of the Chinese economy, more and more Chinese students go abroad. They study hard and work hard, however, they do get homesick.
“China is the most populous country in the world. There are many traditional festivals in China. The most important of which is the Spring Festival. The Spring Festival same as the American New Year. It is the Chinese New Year. when it comes, everyone in China will stop watch the Spring Festival Evening Party Shows on CCTV 1. That program lets everyone feels like we are a big family. So CSSA-FHSU will imitate CCTV to hold a big Spring Festival Evening Party in FHSU, welcome join us! Make every Chinese student do not have to feel homesick is our promise!” said Qifan Hu.
“Although The Spring Festival Evening Party will coming in next semester, CSSA needs to plan the event now as soon as possible, because it is so important for us to make an awesome show. There includes the singing, dance, comedy, and music show. We need four months to get ready. We hope everyone joins us and shows their talents. There is no discrimination and prejudice, only a heart of unity, everyone looks like the family members.” said Xin Liu.