The Education Division of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in Los Angeles held the 2016 Lunar New Year Celebration party for Taiwanese students studying abroad on February 7. More than 300 people took part in the joyful event, including more than 250 Taiwanese students currently studying in different parts of the southern and western region of America, ten Americans who have studied in Taiwan, members of 26 societies in Los Angeles for people from Taiwan, and TECO staff.

The party gave overseas Taiwanese students an opportunity to exchange details of their life and study experiences in America and celebrate the most important Chinese festival, Lunar New Year, together. Unlike in past years, this year’s occasion was a large scale event. The Education Division of TECO cooperated with alumni associations in Southern California and with many academic and entrepreneurial societies to sponsor and organize this party. Dr. Liang Li-Ling, the Director of TECO’s Education Division, advised the students to make good use of their time to contacting and building up friendships with professional people in their local communities. People from Taiwan in alumni associations and local societies can provide great assistance with and helpful information about academic developments, employment, and life in America.

TECO’s Director-General Steve C.C. Hsia gave an opening address, pointing out that studying abroad is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for many people. He said he hoped that the Taiwanese students would broaden their horizons, expand their international outlook, and understand American culture and customs. He encouraged them to take part in the activities held by TECO and their local alumni associations. He also told them about the government’s HiRecruit services platform. This welcomes overseas Taiwanese students to come back to Taiwan and contribute what they have learnt abroad to their motherland, and helps them find suitable employment to do so. Then before kicking off the party, Steve Hsia led everyone there in a prayer for the people suffering from the catastrophic earthquake that had taken place in southern Taiwan.

In addition to the luxurious buffet served, everyone enjoyed some performances organized by the Taiwanese Students Associations in the southern California universities, including a cappella singing, an electric guitar piece, and a magic show. The students were also given raffle tickets with a range of prizes available. The local alumni associations donated many gifts for the raffle: the biggest prizes included a round-trip Taipei-Los Angeles airplane ticket, and an Apple watch. Everyone had a very good time at the party and the students returned to campus life with a strong sense of connection with supportive local alumni.

Photo:2016 Taiwanese Students at the Lunar New Year Celebration held in Southern California.