School of Social & Political Sciences

Author: Chen Zhenyu, MSc Global Economy student

This year marked a milestone in my life: it was my first Spring Festival spent away from home. As an international student in the UK, returning to China wasn’t possible, and for the first time, I had to face the most important holiday in the Chinese calendar without my family. However, what could have been a lonely experience turned into something unexpectedly warm and meaningful, thanks to the friends I’ve made here in Glasgow.

Spring Festival Eve began quietly. That morning, my friends and I gathered in the living room and watched Xinwen Lianbo on China Central Television. Seeing familiar scenes of celebration across China—families hanging red lanterns, preparing reunion dinners, and bustling streets filled with festive decorations—brought a deep sense of comfort. Even though I was thousands of miles away, the familiar voices, language, and atmosphere made me feel emotionally connected to home. It reminded me that Spring Festival is not just about a physical place, but about shared traditions and emotional belonging.

By midday, we began preparing our own reunion meal. We went out to buy ingredients and returned with everything we needed to make dumplings—flour, minced meat, vegetables, and seasonings. Dumpling-making is more than just cooking; it’s a cultural ritual. As we sat together folding dumplings, some neat and perfect, others uneven and messy, we laughed at our creations and shared stories of how our families celebrated Spring Festival back home. In the background, we streamed the CCTV Spring Festival Gala, the iconic annual program that millions of Chinese families watch together. The performances—songs, dances, comedy sketches—created a familiar festive atmosphere. Even though we weren’t sitting in our family homes, we recreated the feeling in our own way.

Eating the dumplings we made ourselves was especially satisfying. Each bite carried not only flavor but also effort, companionship, and nostalgia. It was a reminder that traditions can travel with us, and that we can build new memories while honoring old ones.

Later in the afternoon, we decided to go out and buy fireworks. On the way, it suddenly started raining—a very typical Glasgow moment. Unfortunately, we had forgotten to bring umbrellas, so we walked through the rain, laughing and slightly regretting our lack of preparation. Yet somehow, the rain made the experience more memorable. It was one of those small, imperfect moments that later becomes a cherished memory.

In the evening, we ordered takeaway food to make the night more relaxing. Without the pressure of cooking a full dinner, we could simply enjoy each other’s company. After eating, we began our board game session. We played poker, Avalon, and Blood on the Clocktower—games that require strategy, teamwork, and a bit of deception. The room was filled with laughter, arguments, and playful accusations. These games did more than entertain us; they strengthened our friendships and gave us a sense of togetherness that closely resembled the spirit of reunion that Spring Festival represents.

As midnight approached, we took the fireworks we had bought and went outside. Standing together in the cold night air, we lit the fireworks one by one. The bright sparks illuminated the dark sky, and in that moment, everything felt symbolic. The fireworks represented celebration, hope, and new beginnings. Even though we were far from home, we were not alone.

That night, I realised something important. Spring Festival is traditionally about family, but family can also be found in the friendships we build. Being away from home taught me to appreciate the effort it takes to preserve traditions and the importance of community. Instead of feeling sadness, I felt gratitude—for my friends, for the shared experience, and for the opportunity to celebrate my culture in a new environment.

Celebrating Spring Festival in Glasgow was different, but it was still meaningful. It taught me resilience, adaptability, and the value of connection. While I missed my family deeply, I also discovered that home is not defined solely by location. Home can be created wherever people come together with warmth, tradition, and shared joy.

This first Spring Festival abroad is something I will never forget. It was not the same as being in China, but in its own way, it was just as special.

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First published: 8 April 2026