11 Days to FIUTS CulturalFest 2024!

Being a Booth Captain at CulturalFest Expo is “a truly learning experience as I got to take more responsibility for my group and the event through leadership skills and effective event planning strategies.” 

Yijun Chen, Booth Captain of China

Every year, CulturalFest fosters much personal growth—from communication skills to leadership competency—as participants organize their presentations and interact with various visitors. 

Yijun Chen, an education major student from China, enjoyed and learned as a volunteer from past CulturalFests. The lively engagement with different cultures at CulturalFest was an amazing experience for her and she is back to be a Booth Captain for China this year. Her journey and the elements of Chinese culture she is going to represent are below! 

My name is Yijun Chen. I am from Hunan, China. I am proud of my identity as a Chinese. I enjoy learning and experiencing Chinese culture and other ethnic cultures, especially about traditional clothing and dance. I am honored to represent my own country and perform Chinese dance at CulturalFest! 

I have been participating in CulturalFest for the past two years. From my previous experience, I believe this event is meaningful and helpful to create a more inclusive and supportive community for all of us. This kind of belief and trust provide me confidence and energy to participate in CulturalFest again this year. 

In the last two years, I have participated in CulturalFest as a volunteer. This year, I want to challenge myself to take leadership to be a Booth Captain. It’s a truly learning experience as I got to take more responsibility for my group and the event through leadership skills and effective event planning strategies. I also built connections and friendships with my group members in this experience. 

The topic we chose for this year is Chinese calligraphy. Nowadays, we seldom experience the act of picking up a pen to write a letter or compose an article. Chinese, as one of the few remaining ideographic scripts, carries a history and evolution spanning over a thousand years. It possesses a unique charm and profound significance that captivates those who delve into its intricacies. Through this initiative, we aim to inspire people to rekindle the traditional habit of writing, to appreciate the enchanting beauty and cultural richness embedded in Chinese characters. 

CulturalFest provides a platform for diverse cultural expressions, including music, dance, art, and cuisine. Audiences can experience and appreciate various aspects of different cultures. CulturalFest creates great opportunities and a safe environment for people from different backgrounds to engage in meaningful conversations. 

We’re delighted to see the growth in Yijun and we can’t wait to practice Chinese calligraphy with her at CulturalFest Expo 2024!