College Celebrates Mid-Autumn Festival’s Asian Culture, Diversity and Inclusion

The Mid-Autumn Festival is one of the traditional festivals celebrated with family gatherings, typically by countries in east Asia, including China, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, and Vietnam. The Dean’s Advisory Council on Diversity and Inclusion (DACODI) hosted the Mid-Autumn Festival which transformed the David J. Joseph Student Hub into a celebratory atmosphere complete with decorations and good food.

The festival featured traditional Asian foods like tofu, rice, spring rolls and mooncakes, with international students on hand to explain their culture and the significance of the Mid-Autumn Festival. Another notable part of the Mid-Autumn Festival, which usually aligns with a full moon, were the lanterns set up around the Student Hub. This follows the tradition of lighting lanterns to symbolize family reunion and pray for good fortune.

Student Ramsha Rashid, the events and celebrations subcommittee chair on DACODI, states why DACODI hosts the Mid-Autumn Festival every year. “It’s important to celebrate because it helps our international students feel more welcome and at home.”

DACODI hosts other ethnic / cultural events throughout the school year in hopes of helping international students feel more included and comfortable.