Goodbye 2021, Welcome 2022! Christmas Party Bids Farewell
With the end of semester final exams and many festivities around the corner, the Australian National University China Centre hosted a Christmas party at the end of 2021 for students still in the country. On such a special occasion, ANU students could still get together at Christmas in China and we are all looking forward to and enjoying the Christmas season with their friends for a better, bright 2022 ahead!
The first Christmas party was held in Beijing on 17 December 2021 as scheduled. In addition to the delicious cuisine at the Christmas buffet dinner, the best part of the event was when everyone came together to compete for the best costume. ANU students donned their favourite dresses and walked down the catwalk, enjoying the spotlight of professional photographers. The event was a fantastic way for everyone to destress and socialise by letting off steam and making new friends.
On 21st December 2021, Shanghai Study Hub manager Wendy hosted a Christmas turkey dinner to which all ANU students were invited to. The restaurant was prepared and was filled with beautiful Christmas decorations and a rich Christmas atmosphere. The Christmas dinner was very warm and felt like a family affair, with a whole turkey being shared and 30 ANU students gathered together to play a game of 'Who's Secret Santa'. The Christmas game brought the "ANU friendship" closer to each other.
On Christmas Eve (24 December) 2021, Chengdu Study Hub manager Liz prepared and held a Christmas dance party. Students all dressed up as part of the Christmas decorations, danced happily and chatted passionately. During the Christmas raffle, students experienced the excitement of Christmas surprises and being hit by gifts which was definitely a new experience for many students!
During the Christmas period, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor for International Strategy Sally sent a special and kind greeting for the international students who were still in China, "Please be assured that ANU is working on everything we can do to bring you back to our campus safely. You are not alone in China. You have the full support from our China-based team and the study hubs across China. Please do not hesitate to contact the team when you need anything or help from ANU. I want to wish all of you here today a very merry Christmas and a very bright 2022."
Just in time for the end of the year, the ANU Vice Chancellor Brian Schmidt has also sent their New Year wishes via video from the Canberra campus. He said, "Thank you for your incredible efforts, for the role that you have played in keeping us on track to deliver on our critical national mission in what has been a truly difficult year. The COVID-19 pandemic has been an extraordinary disruptor like nothing that we have experienced in our 75-year history. But what has made it manageable is you, our people, our community. To our students, who have adapted and shown incredible resilience. Thank you."
