Christmas Celebration at CJCU: A Warm Send-off for 2024 Spring and Fall Exchange Students
Laughter, festive music, and the warmth of friendship filled the air as CJCU's local and international students gathered for a special year-en celebration on December 19th, 2024. The "Hearts & Spades Christmas and Exchange Student Farewell Party," jointly organized by the Overseas Student Association (OSA) and International Student Buddy Union (ISBU) with full support from the Office of Global Engagement, transformed an ordinary evening into a heartwarming festival of cultural exchange.
ISBUxOSA Christmas decoration
Group photo of CJCU students and professors
The celebration featured a thoughtful program presented in Chinese, English, and Japanese, reflecting the university's diverse student body. As hosts switched effortlessly between three languages, students from Korea, Japan, France, Indonesia, Malaysia, and beyond shared stories, tears and smile. Exchange students took to the stage to share their journeys - from their first nervous days of speaking basic Mandarin to confidently navigating life in Taiwan. Many spoke warmly of the support they received in CJCU, especially their ISBU study buddies, who had become not just language partners but treasured friends.
One-year and one-semester exchange students experience sharing
The Dean of the Office of Global Engagement captured the spirit of the evening perfectly in her address, reminding everyone that distance and differences fade when friendships are made. As students played a game, exchanged gifts and shared a meal together, the room buzzed with conversation in multiple languages, bursts of laughter and the clicking of cameras capturing precious memories. Looking around the room, one could see that CJCU had succeeded in creating something more than just an international program - it had built a true home away from home for its global family.
Dean of OGE presented Certificates of Study to exchange students
Game time
Christmas gifts exchange
Group photo of exchange students, OSA and ISBU members