Winter solstice is an important solar term in the 24 solar terms of the lunar calendar and is also a traditional festival in China. At this time every year, people all go back home to celebrate this festival, which is called "having a destination at the end of the year." During this winter solstice, international students from Business School can not get together with their families, but they still miss their relatives like everyone in China.

A common saying goes in China: "Winter solstice, have dumplings." Chinese people used to celebrate the arrival of winter with food. People from the North usually have dumplings, but people from the South usually have tangyuan, made of rice and sweets. On the morning of December 21st, international students and Chinese students from Business School wrapped dumplings and made tangyuan together in the cafeteria to celebrate the arrival of this festival.

The international students were divided into two groups, the north and the south. They learned how to make dumplings and Tuanyuan separately under the guidance of experienced cook from the cafeteria. After a while, they even began to compete with each other about who had wrapped the most beautiful dumplings or Tangyuan, and discussed in Chinese or various foreign languages about their works.

The cook is very experienced in wrapping dumplings or Tangyuan. Their action looks like a performance in these international students’ eyes, and the students are shocked by the cook’s skillful technique. All of them observe every movement of the cook carefully, and the cook is very willing to share the experience with these students as well.

When international students were learning how to wrap dumplings or Tangyuan, Chinese students introduced some traditions of winter solstice to them, and explained why Chinese people have dumplings or Tangyuan in this holiday.

When all of the dumplings or Tangyuan were done, the cook helped boil them. Although some dumplings or Tangyuan were broken, everyone still showed strong interest to try them. Osei Cosmos even asked for a packing box from the cafeteria to bring some dumplings or Tangyuan to share with his friends. He said happily, "This is my first time to wrap dumplings, and I want my friends to try them as well.” Ren Yuan, a Chinese student who has been introducing traditions to international students, said, “In fact, I do not know the traditions of winter solstice either. But in order to explain it to everyone clearly, I look for some information in purpose. I am surprised to find such rich background of winter solstice.”

Shongwe Khonzi held a bowl of Tangyuan and said, “Tuanyuan, Tuantuanyuanyuan” in Chinese, and asked for her classmates to take a video for her.” She also said, “I want to send the video to my parents. Chinese culture is very interesting. Tangyuan means I miss them very much.”

In China, having tangyuan in winter solstice means unity and happiness of the family.   people's wishes and expectations for a better life often reflect in traditional Chinese festivals. However, nowadays, people gradually forget some traditions, especially for young people in China. This event not only provides a chance for international students to experience the charming of Chinese traditions and spreads the Chinese culture, but also awakens national roots of Chinese people.