The Spring Festival holds a special place in the hearts of Chinese people, evoking the warmest anticipation. Even for Chinese overseas students, the festive spirit and nostalgia for their homeland remain undiminished by distance. Whether it's shopping, enjoying lion dances, donning new clothes, or preparing the New Year's Eve dinner, these rituals connect them to their cultural roots. Let's join them in experiencing a diverse Chinese New Year, from thousands of miles away.

For Enid, purchasing New Year's goods has always been the tradition shedeeply anticipated in her childhood."Back then, my family took care of everything, and I simply enjoyed the food and received red envelopes. Now, as a student in the United States, it's my turn to prepare for the Spring Festival." Compared to everyday shopping, buying New Year's goods brings her unparalleled excitement and warmth."In a foreign country, I've always sought to embrace local culture and partake in their festivals. But when I think about the Spring Festival, I feel completely embraced by Chinese culture, recreating the most familiar New Year happiness from my memories."

Gu Sijia, an overseas student in the UK, holds a deep affection for Chinese calligraphy brush, inkstick, inkstone, and paper due to her lifelong practice of calligraphy. For her, writing the character "Fu" and couplets with features of the Chinese zodiacserves as a meaningful way to evoke the spirit of the Chinese New Year and extend blessings.Reflecting on her experiences, Wang Yuezhu, who studies in France, shares, "Back home, New Year's Eve always meant family reunions. Regardless of distance, we would gather for a reunion dinner." However, this year is special for her as she celebrates the Spring Festival with friends who are far from their hometowns. They bring the New Year's Eve dinner to Iceland. From ingredient preparation to cooking, plating, and taking photos, everyone showcases their culinary prowess, culminating in a joyous feast featuring dishes like sour soup fish, potato beef brisket, dumplings, and enoki mushroom soup.

Meanwhile, in Melbourne, Ash reserves a table at Olinda Tea House to enjoy the traditional lion dance performance during the Spring Festival. Amidst the lively drumbeats, the lion dancers present cabbage and red envelopes, symbolizing blessings of wealth and good fortune. With graceful leaps and playful tumbles, the lion captivates Ash and her friends, adding to the festive ambiance with its charming display.

"Food holds paramount importance in the lives of people." Food not only stands out as the centerpiece of the Spring Festival but also serves as a bond among the Chinese.

In Chinese restaurants, the lanterns not only contribute to the festive atmosphere but also illuminate Wang Yuezhu's profound sense of belonging. She reflects, "From my hometown to a foreign land, we carry Chinese culture to the global stage. At the same time, Chinese culture always beckons us back to reunion."

During the Spring Festival, numerous celebrations will unfold throughout the UK. Notably, London's Chinatown hosts the largest Chinese New Year celebration outside of Asia. The vibrant streets here will be embellished with lanterns, Chinese knots, andadornedfloats. Spectators can immerse themselves in the spectacle of traditional dragon and lion dances, alongside captivating performances of Chinese music, dance, and martial arts.

Source：Yangcheng Evening News

龙年新春，和海外中国留学生一起过年！

春节，总能唤起中国人心中最温暖的期盼。对于留学生们而言，虽然身处异国他乡，年味和乡情却从未因距离而减少。买年货、看舞狮、穿新衣、准备年夜饭……让我们和海外留学生们一起感受千里之外的花样中国年。　　

买年货，是Enid儿时最期待的过年环节之一。“小时候都是家里人操办一切，我只负责吃东西和收红包。如今在美国上学，就轮到我自己为春节做准备了。”Enid表示，比起日常的采购，置办年货让她多了一些兴奋和亲切。“在异国他乡，我一直努力融入当地的文化，参与他们的节日。一想到春节，就感觉完全回到了祖国文化的怀抱，可以不用尝试新的东西，复刻记忆中最熟悉的过年快乐。”　

在英国留学的顾思佳从小学习书法，对笔墨纸砚有着独特的情感。对于她来说，亲自提笔写下具有生肖特色的福字和春联，是一种传递年味、表达祝福的特别方式。

“以前在家里的时候，年三十是一家人团聚的日子，不管多远都要在一起吃团圆饭。这个年对我来说很特别，我要和远离家乡的朋友们一起过。”留学法国的王悦瞩说。今年春节，她和朋友们将年夜饭带到了“世界的尽头”——冰岛。备菜、掌勺、摆盘、拍照……大伙“八仙过海，各显神通”，共同完成了这顿特别的年夜饭。酸汤鱼、土豆牛腩、包子、饺子、靓汤金针菇闪亮登场，诱人的菜肴把餐桌摆得满满当当。　　

澳大利亚墨尔本杜鹃山庄在春节推出的舞狮表演，是吸引Ash订座的一大亮点。当天，舞狮演员向Ash和朋友们传白菜、发红包，送上财源滚滚、吉祥如意的祝福，伴随着欢腾的锣鼓声，狮子翻腾跳跃，憨态可掬。　　

“民以食为天”，吃，不仅是春节的重头戏，也是中国人表达情谊的纽带。

中餐厅里，高高挂起的红灯笼不仅装点了喜庆的氛围，也照亮了王悦瞩内心的归属感。“从故乡到异乡，我们把祖国的文化‘带出去’，同时，祖国的文化好像一直在召唤着我们，将我们带回她的身边，书写新的‘团圆’故事。”

春节期间，英国各地将举办各式各样的春节庆祝活动，伦敦中国城举办的新春庆典游行是亚洲以外规模最大的中国新年庆典。届时，伦敦中国城街道两旁将挂满红灯笼、中国结等春节元素的装饰物，还有花车巡游，传统的舞龙舞狮表演，以及精彩的民乐、中国舞、武术等演出。

文｜羊城晚报记者 孙唯 实习生 胡雨潇 李博
图｜受访者提供　
翻译｜史洋溢