Four years ago, Yishen Cai came from China to the U.S. to earn a bachelor’s degree. Transferring to Concordia from Madison, Wisconsin into his junior year, Cai is studying business management. Cai chose to further his education in the states because he believes it holds a higher degree than one earned in China. Being far from China, Cai doesn’t always get to go home every holiday like other students.
Concordia University Chicago receives a month break for the Christmas holiday, the first week of December to the first week of January. Most students go home for the holiday, but not all students have the luxury to do so. He says Christmas is not as strongly celebrated there as it is in America. Ninety-two percent of Americans celebrate Christmas according to Pew Research Center. Cai describes Christmas in China as a “romantic day.” People use this as a day to take their significant others on dates.
China’s version of Christmas is called the Spring Festival, also known as the Chinese New Year. The Spring Festival marks the new year in China. Fireworks are used all day and firecrackers go longer than the short spurt we are used to in America, said Cai.
Last December Cai did have the opportunity to go home during the month of December. This year, Cai said maybe he will visit his friends in New York. The only other time Cai really gets to go home is during summer break. Reading books is also a hobby and he hopes to read five books this coming winter break, said Cai. Some of his favorites are commerce, economics, globalization, and essential business fortune tellers.
After he graduates he wants to become an entrepreneur and possibly go live back in China.
