“Building our home away from home” is the motto the Chinese Student Association has carried since the club first began.
Growing up where few people shared his cultural background, Chanvong resonated with that motto in a personal way.
“There were only a handful of people that looked like me,” said Chanvong. “So, my friends and I found the Asian Student Club.”
Now at UMass Boston, Chanvong finds himself as the Secretary of the Chinese Student Association, a place that strengthens the connection students have with their cultural identity.
CSA has not only become an integral part of student life but has also helped promote cultural awareness, making the campus a more welcoming and safe environment for all UMass Boston students.
Last semester, clay pot rice from the local staple Clay Pot Cafe was the main dish of the Fall Thanksgiving Event. When the lid is opened, steam escapes from seasoned rice underneath Chinese bacon and shiitake mushrooms. The dish’s signature, however, is at the bottom of the clay pot, where the rice is crisped to just the right texture.
Besides strengthening cultural awareness through traditional food, the Chinese Student Association also shares traditions cherished in many families’ hometowns, offering students a glimpse into what it was like growing up in East Asian communities.
On April 29, the Jade Spades Trades event connected students to social gatherings akin to the ones they grew up with. The event featured popular traditional games such as Mahjong, Fight the Landlord — also known as Dou Dizhu — and classic poker games. Everywhere, from street corners and alleyways to hair salons and public parks, these social games have transformed from childhood memories into shared experiences for those from similar cultures.
Sometimes, that shared experience sounds like a familiar echo passed down through thousands of years.
On April 16, the traditional seal carving event introduced students to an art form that has existed for more than two millennia. In ancient Chinese culture, seals symbolized ancestral identity, social status, and intricate craftsmanship. From imperial seals used by Chinese emperors to personal seals passed down within families, seal carving was a valued tradition that connected both the ruling class and working class in ancient China.
For Chanvong, the most rewarding part of being a part of the CSA E-Board is planning and preparing events such as Jade Spades Trades and Seal Carving.
“Events like these are an important part of campus life because a lot of people are still finding their place of belonging here at UMass Boston,” he said. “Being part of a large community of people you may have never met before, all working together to uplift student identity, is something deeply meaningful.”
The Chinese Student Association has left an lasting imprint on the student body not only through community-building activities, but also by going out of its way to spread awareness about its historical significance for those who are unfamiliar with the culture.
Something special sticks with each student after every CSA event: the feeling of being included.
“CSA wants to thank everyone for their support and continued growth,” Chanvong ends with gratitude toward the student body. “It is a place for anyone who needs to feel supported and belong on the UMass Boston campus.”