Foreign students enjoy Spring Festival in Tianjin

Tianjin(CNS)- Foreign students in Tianjin recently savored the unique elements of Chinese Spring Festival, including the bright red lanterns and intricate paper-cuttings decorating the houses. They also enjoyed the fireworks and seasonal cuisine, such as jiaozi (or dumplings).

"I was supposed to return to Spain for winter vacation at this time, but I delayed my flight to experience a Chinese Lunar New Year in Tianjin," says Gabriel, a student.

Pan Mingxiao, a foreign student from Vietnam, has also been fascinated by Spring Festival. "My three classmates and I shot firecrackers together on Spring Festival Eve. We had great fun," he says, adding that fireworks not only light up the festival air, but also convey wishes for good luck.

Bangura, a Guinean who is currently working on his PhD at Tianjin University, spent Spring Festival Eve with a local resident and her whole family. Together they watched the Spring Festival Gala on CCTV, made dumplings and enjoyed a New Year dinner. "For the big dinner, all the family members gathered together, eating and chatting," says Bangura. "It is so nice and comfortable. I shared the delightful moments of a family reunion."

According to data from the Tianjin education office, 16,805 foreign students from 155 countries studied in Tianjin in 2011.