Columbia International College

Over 200 staff and students ushered in the year of dragon and celebrated the Lunar New Year as part of our International Cuisine Series on Wednesday January 25th. Red and Gold decorations transformed the Ainsliewood Gymnasium into a classic dining hall, complete with round tables set for traditional Asian family style dining.

This year’s Lunar New Year meal consisted of:
o Hui Guo Pork
o Kung Pao Chicken
o Spring Rolls
o Beef & Green Peppers in a Black Bean Sauce
o Bass with Ginger and Onion
o Yang Chow Fried Rice
o Sweet and Sour Bass
o Niangao (New Year’s Cake)

Carmen and Amanda, students of Columbia and the evening’s MCs opened the Lunar New Year festivities by welcoming students in the crowd from different countries to come up and wish all the guests a “Happy New Year” in their own language. Students from, Russia, Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Taiwan and China bravely came forward an extended their well wishes.

As Staff and Students dined they were treated to the musical styling of our Columbia Choir and the Columbia School Band.

Many students also performed throughout the evening, sharing a variety of talents, like:
o Singing celebratory songs
o Playing instruments such as:
o Clarinet
o Flute
o Gu Zheng
o Hu Lu Si

We like to thank Sodexo Food Services for all their help and hard work, as well as Ms Courtney Workman, Ms. Melissa Yun Zhang, Ms. Keylin Palomo and the entire Cuisine Series Team . We would also like to recognize the efforts of one particular student who went above and beyond, Linda Yan . She put in countless hours organizing the musical performances and decorations, as well as preparing a heart warming speech about her first Lunar New year celebrated away from her family.