International students at Beijing International Studies University celebrated Little New Year－usually a week before Spring Festival－at one of (他们的) teachers' home in Beijing on Thursday.
For Marcela Vazaves, celebrating the Spring Festival is to (花) it with loved ones, whether it is with friends and teachers around her or with parents and (亲戚) in Mexico online. However, this year, she and two of her classmates were invited to a teacher's home, making dumplings and learning about the (文化) behind Spring Festival. The 25-year-old said (虽然) she felt sorry for not being able to travel home because of the COVID-19 epidemic (流行病) , she is (感谢) that she is safe and well in China. "The university has taken (真正地) good care of us international students since the epidemic broke out more than a year ago," she said .
"The university has paired all international students with people in Beijing and prepared (礼物) for them, so they can celebrate the festival with (当地的) people and enjoy a real festival environment." said the teacher. "Inviting students to my home is a good way to make friends with them. I teach international students Chinese language, I also want to build true (友谊) between us," he said.
