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The Lunar New Year is a festival typically celebrated in China and other Asian countries. Festivities begin with the first new moon of the lunar Calendar and end on the first full moon, 15 days later. The lunar calendar is based on the cycles of the moon, so the dates of the holiday vary slightly from year to year. In 2024, it starts on February 9th and end on February 24th. About 10 days before the start of the new lunar year, houses are thoroughly cleaned to remove any bad luck that might be lingering inside. New Year's Eve and New Year's Day are reserved for family celebrations, including religious ceremonies honoring ancestors. It is customary to give out red envelops (lai see) with a small amount of money to family members, specifically children. Dances and fireworks are prevalent throughout the holidays, culminating in the Lantern festival, which is celebrated on the last day of the New Year's celebrations.
Join the CLU community's celebration with dragon dancers, Taiko drummers, arts & crafts, and food in Kingsmen Park on February 23, from 12-2pm. |
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| 10 New F-1 International Students & 3 J-1 Exchange Students from 11 Countries!
The Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS) and volunteer Peer Mentors welcomed our Spring 2024 new international undergrad cohort on January 16, 2024 for their international seminar and orientation. The diverse group of student come from eleven countries: Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, China, France, Germany, Iran, Ireland, Nigeria, Tunisia, and the United Kingdom! Of special note is the inclusion of three exchange students from the University of Aberdeen in Scotland, the first J-1 exchange student visa holders hosted by Cal Lutheran! Exchange students commit to share their culture with the community during their semester of studies in the USA.
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Race & Ethnicity in Latin America: A Travel Seminar
Professors Fiore Urizar and Seales with the Department of Languages and Cultures explored race and ethnicity in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia with a group of students in January. As described in the syllabus:
"The course [explored] discourses surrounding race and ethnicity in Latin America from the colonial period to modern day. Students unpacked ideologies that center national identity and language as a means to obscure deeply embedded racial hierarchies and analyzed how a variety of countries have developed and deployed their own unique set of social tools to shape how race intersects with ethnicity, indigeneity, hybridity, and purity at different historical junctures." Faculty paid particular attention to the tension between celebrating mixed racial heritage—an important political project at specific historical moments—and Eurocentric values that favor whiteness and 'purity'.”
During the two week seminar, the students completed a comparative analysis of the course objectives between the US and Colombia. |
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Invite an International Faculty Member to CLU
The J-1 "Exchange Visitor" visa is a non-immigrant (temporary) visa for international scholars to come to the USA. California Lutheran University is approved by the U.S. Department of State to sponsor “Exchange Visitors” for full-time and temporary activities that include teaching, lecturing, observing, consulting, and/or conducting research. The purpose of the J-1 visa is to increase mutual understanding between people of the U.S. and people of other countries by means of educational and cultural exchanges, thereby strengthening the ties between the nations. CLU has an apartment option to host scholars on campus (pending availability) to promote the scholar's full engagement with our community.
Learn how to become a department host for J1 visiting scholars: Attend an upcoming session and/or email international@callutheran.edu to meet with Dr. Patricia Aguirre, Director of the Office of International Students and Scholars. Tuesday, February 6 at 11am. To register: https://clu.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJIvceugqz8uHd16zhAsjjackfL1thsIMR8e Friday, February 16 at 1pm. To register:
https://clu.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0vf--hqDgsGdDumQF_GdEY-Gpptm5OGEZt |
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| OEA Education Abroad Fair | Tues. Feb. 6 |
We are thrilled to extend a warm invitation to our students to attend the upcoming Education Abroad Fair for Spring 2024. There will be 11 international education providers offering experiences around the world for CLU students to study abroad. The Office of Education Abroad will also feature upcoming faculty-led program offerings. All away program details are available on the OEA website. Contact oea@callutheran.edu with any questions. Tuesday, February 6 | 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM |Student Union Lobby |
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| Global Café | Thurs. Feb. 8 |
The Global Cafe's theme in February is dedicated to teas from around the world. The tradition of tea houses, tea ceremonies and serving tea will be introduced and discussed.
Please join us for a delightful time where community members can meet and enjoy each other's company. Drop by any time between 2pm-4pm in the Student Union. Thursday, February 8 | 2 PM - 4 PM | Student Union Main Lobby |
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| USA & MEXICO PRE-CIVIL WAR RELATIONS South to Freedom: Runaway Slaves to Mexico and the Road to the Civil War Tuesday, Feb. 13 | 12:25PM-2PM | Ullman 100/101
Alice Baumgartner, PhD, assistant professor of history at the University of Southern California, will provide a necessary perspective on pre-Civil War America and the profound importance of Mexico in the history of the United States. She’ll highlight the collective stories of American enslaved people who escaped to Mexico during the 19th century seeking freedom, and how Mexican abolition contributed to the sectional crisis in the U.S. and shaped the lives of enslaved people.
Baumgartner will deliver a virtual presentation and present part of her research while engaging with the audience. Lunch will be served. Baumgartner’s book South to Freedom: Runaway Slaves to Mexico and the Road to the Civil War has won multiple awards and prizes and was an editor’s choice by The New York Times Book Review and a finalist for the L.A. Times Book Award.
This free event is part of the Black History Month programming and is sponsored by the Office of Talent, Culture and Diversity in collaboration with the Center for Global Engagement. To RSVP, visit bit.ly/3NbpPvC. |
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| Lunar New Year Festival | Fri. Feb. 23 |
The Cal Lutheran community is invited to join the Center for Global Engagement for our campus celebration welcoming the Year of the Dragon according to the Chinese zodiac. There will crafts tables with the following activities: paper cutting, dragon lantern making, chopstick-pickup competition, calligraphy name writing and cookie decorations. A food truck offering lunch suitable for the occasion, Taiko drummers and lion dancers will create a festive and unforgettable atmosphere. Visit the CGE website for details about the ongoing celebrations or contact global@callutheran.edu with any questions.
Friday, February 23 | 12 PM - 2PM | Kingsmen Park |
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The final day of the Lunar New Year in China is known as Shangyuan Festival, which is the festival of what? -
Dragons
- Red Moon
- Food
- Lanterns
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TRIVIA ANSWER: #4 The Festival of Lanterns |
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