I first came to Canada in September 2014. It was also the first time I had been so far away from home. I felt pretty excited to start a new life on my own when I got here, but the reality was much different and harder than I had expected. I also had felt very lonely, especially when as Chinese festivals approached because I knew I would have to spend a day with special meaning on my own. Nevertheless, I joined the Chinese Student Union during that 1st year of university at TRU, and I discovered that they regularly have many activities for when the Chinese festivals arrive. They did their best to make us all feel like home despite all of us being so far away from it.

(McGill Residence, TRU, By Xukai Wang)

A few days before the Spring Festival, the president of the Chinese Student Union invited me to join the Chinese Spring Festival Party at CAC in TRU, and she asked me to prepare for a show for that. I am more of an introverted person, so it was a huge challenge for me to sing a song in front of so many people. However, I exclaimed “Yes!” as I decided to take a chance since the festivals had been so helpful to me, and I had begun to also feel excited because the Spring Festival is always important for all Chinese people. In China, we normally have reunion dinner with family in the evening, and children who are still in school receive special iconic red envelopes from adults. We also are allowed to set off fireworks for celebration. Therefore, I said “Yes!” without hesitation when she asked me.

(Campus Activity Centre, TRU, By Xukai Wang)

I was planning to sing a Chinese song, but they said there already so many Chinese songs on the list. I chose the song called “You Raise Me Up” because what I sang on my high school graduation ceremony. It also reminds me of many things, such as my parents, friends, and teachers. I was so nervous when I stepped on that stage. The lights all around me were so bright I couldn’t even see the faces of audience. But once I started, it went well. I forgot some of the lyrics while I am singing, but overall I think it was a pretty great show for me. I love singing. I think I’ve got a lots of ‘something’ inside me that’s been wanting to come out for so long, and I’ve just never really had the guts to do it justice and go out on my own. Singing finally lets me express myself. So, I’m just trying to force myself to do it, and I’ve really had my breakthrough, and that is what I really needed when I was so far away from home.

(Campus Activity Centre, TRU, By Xukai Wang)

At the end of the Chinese Spring Festival Party as we finished up inside, the fireworks had begun. When I looked for those fireworks in the night sky, I cried because I was homesick.  But it was also a cure for me because I knew I was watching the same types of fireworks as my family also were. The fireworks were so beautiful that I think all the Chinese in TRU would have the same feeling as I did. But afterward, we have to put that emotion deep inside of our hearts and move on, as there are so many challenges in my way on my path to success. But I am not afraid. (TRU Campus, By Xukai Wang)