HAPPY 2019, happy spring semester begins！

February 7, 2019 by ashtonhr

I am Duanduan Yuan, from China, the first Chinese fellow in the VCU Humphrey program.

Every year, January—the first month of the year, always presents something special, and something new. It is the sign of all beginnings and possesses the ability to see things both past and future. We, Humphrey fellows, also, started our second semester at VCU.

New things come to us all this month.

NIDA Drugs and Alcohol Week

First, three fellows including me successfully arranged the NIDA Drugs and Alcohol Week Event at our partner college, J. Sergeant Reynolds Community College.

National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week® links students with scientists and other experts to counteract the myths about drugs and alcohol that teens get from the internet, social media, TV, movies, music, or from friends. It was launched in 2010 by scientists at the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) to stimulate educational events in communities so teens can learn what science has taught us about drug use and addiction.

Thanks to all of those who participated in our event, especially the students there. College students make up one of the largest groups of drug abusers nationwide. There are many reasons college students turn to drugs. Starting out in college brings some natural social anxiety for many students. And alcohol is nearly always present at house parties. It is very important we do more awareness education with college students.

We are so grateful to have this opportunity to meet those students, who willing to learn that knowledge and helping others in the future. Some of them were very active and asked so many questions.

Kemp Spangler, one of our speaker shared his own addiction and recovery story with the students. He is a newly graduated students from VCU.

We all know, approximately 21 million Americans suffer from substance abuse, and an average of 175 people a day die from an overdose. Despite the growing epidemic, there’s still a culture of silence around addiction and stigma surrounding drug and alcohol abuse. So we are grateful for people like Kemp, who can speak up and provide great hope for those still suffering. Even if students in that class do not have addiction problems, they surely know someone who needs support.

We know, there is much talk about stigma as it pertains to mental health issues. But what our Humphrey here can contribute to break down the stigma and share the truth in the US and our home countries.

Celebrating Chinese New Year

Chinese New Year is the first day of the New Year in the Chinese calendar, which differs from the Gregorian calendar. It is also known as the Spring Festival or the Lunar New Year. Every year is represented by a zodiac animal sign. 2019 is the year of pig. And Chinese New Year 2019 is February 5, 2019. The celebration lasts from the night before the first day of the lunar year until the Lantern Festival 15 days later.

It was the first time I spent Chinese New Year without family members. But I treasure this unique experience very much with my US friends in Richmond. On January 24^th, I took part in facilitating in the Chinese New Year Celebration at Reynolds College. And several fellows also came to the event. It was a great opportunity for me to share traditional Chinese culture to my US friends.

Chinese New Year is the most important and longest of all Chinese festivals, celebrated in Chinese communities worldwide. I shared the story of spring festival on the stage and enjoyed Chinese classic music, songs, dance and Tai Chi with other fellows.