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CSUN China Institute Welcomes New Students with Warm Community Gathering
November 22, 2025 at 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm
On November 22, 2025, the China Institute at California State University, Northridge (CSUN), successfully hosted its 2025 New Student Welcome Event, bringing together faculty, student advisors, and newly enrolled Chinese students for an afternoon of connection, support, and celebration.
Institute Director Wei Cao, Ph.D., along with several student advisors, led the program, which featured a relaxed luncheon, Q&A sessions, and lively faculty–student discussions on academic expectations, campus resources, and strategies for a successful first year. Dr. Cao emphasized the Institute’s long-standing commitment to building a supportive community, saying, “We warmly welcome all Chinese students and hope to encourage even more students to join our growing community.”
Five first-year undergraduate and graduate students from various majors attended the event. Zhihao Xia, a first-year master’s student in Business Analytics and current president of the Chinese Students and Scholars Association, shared, “I learned a great deal from interacting with faculty and students across different academic fields, which broadened my knowledge and expanded my perspective on future career development. My favorite part was the CSUN history trivia. It helped me learn more about the university’s remarkable past and outstanding alumni. It was my first time discovering that CSUN’s Journalism Department produced Linda Lingle, who later became the governor of Hawaii.”
The event was generously sponsored by A&W BBQ Seafood Restaurant in Granada Hills. Student advisor Yue Zheng, Ph.D., expressed appreciation for the support, saying, “We are profoundly grateful to have a local Chinese restaurant sponsor this event. Their food brings students the taste of home. Even if they cannot reunite with family during Thanksgiving, enjoying familiar cuisine can help ease homesickness.”
Established in 1982, the CSUN China Institute is dedicated to fostering academic and cultural exchange between the United States and China. The Institute looks forward to hosting more programs that enrich student life and provide meaningful academic, cultural, and community support.
