The aroma of delicious food, along with the sounds of chattering and laughter, and traditional Chinese music filled the air as Cal Poly Pomona’s Global Campus hosted a special luncheon to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival.
The Oct. 2 luncheon welcomed 61 new international students and 15 visiting scholars for the harvest festival event, a celebration in Chinese culture to give thanks to the gods for the autumn harvest. Held at the Ursa Minor in the Bronco Student Center, it brought together 134 attendees, including faculty, staff, and students. The celebration featured warm greetings, cultural performances, trivia games and a lucky draw, all designed to help new international students and scholars feel at home in the CPP community.
The program opened with an international lunch that was enjoyed by all, along with plates of mooncakes at each table. Lisa Xue, assistant vice president for Global Campus and senior international officer, welcomed all who were present at the festive occasion. She was followed by remarks from Larisa Preiser-Houy, interim Dean of the College of Professional and Global Education, who thanked campus partners and stakeholders for their continued support of CPP’s international programs.
“We are truly grateful that you have chosen Cal Poly Pomona as your academic destination for study and research, and we are committed to ensuring your academic journey here is rewarding and memorable. You are supported by an outstanding Global Campus team dedicated to providing you with the best possible experience,” she said.
International students and scholars shared inspiring stories about their journeys to CPP. Speakers included Yongwang Liu, a visiting scholar from China; Crystal Han, a Cal Poly English Language Institute (CPELI) student; Wenting “Ginger” Jiang, a graduate digital marketing student; and Ana Sofía Menjívar Vega, an undergraduate animal science pre-vet student from El Salvador. Each speaker expressed gratitude for the support they received from CPP faculty, staff, and classmates.
The celebration came alive with cultural performances. Highlights included a Japanese Taiko drum performance by the Japanese Student Association’s Touzan Taiko, the Tinikling national dance of the Philippines performed by Barkada, and solo music performances by Wang Tao, Sara Severova, Amir Pourmehdi, Stella Fu and Salem Ceja. These performances showcased the cultural diversity of the CPP community and created a lively, festive atmosphere.
In her speech, CPELI student Crystal Han reflected on how CPP’s supportive programs helped her grow academically and personally, while Ginger Jiang shared her path from language programs to graduate studies in Digital Marketing at CPP. Visiting scholar Yongwang Liu described the warmth and hospitality he experienced on campus, comparing the festival’s full moon to the sense of unity felt at the event. Ana Sofía Menjívar Vega shared her journey from El Salvador to CPP, emphasizing the challenges and joys of being an international student and her deep gratitude for the community’s support.
The event concluded with trivia games about the Mid-Autumn Festival, a lucky draw for prizes and the sharing of mooncakes, a traditional treat that symbolizes reunion and gratitude.
