Many college students will stay in Shenzhen for this year’s Spring Festival in response to the national call for people to celebrate the holiday at the location where they live or work. Reporters with the Shenzhen Special Zone Daily recently interviewed some of them to find out their feelings for this special experience and their plans for the holiday.

“This is my first year not to spend the Lunar New Year at home, but it feels good. The teachers have taken good care of us and arranged various activities throughout this month,” said Hao Shuting, a senior majoring in economics at Shenzhen MSU-BIT University whose home is in Heilongjiang Province.

“They took us to visit the Overseas Chinese Town and watch exhibitions there. We also made dumplings together and had a party. I have also signed up for some activities at the Lianhua Hill Park and the Civic Center on February 7 and an African drum class on February 8. The school plans to organize students to have dinner together and watch the Spring Festival Gala on New Year’s Eve.”

Although she is unable to go back home in northeastern China and meet her family this year, Hao said that the activities organized by the university and the care of classmates have eased her homesickness.

She plans to find an internship this winter vacation and stay in Shenzhen after graduation. “Many of the world’s top technology enterprises were established here. Shenzhen has a wide range of job opportunities, a good platform for personal growth, and great potential for development. It also offers convenient facilities and favorable policies for graduates.”

Zheng Haiyun, a senior majoring in accounting at Shenzhen University, is from Maoming in Guangdong Province. Although Maoming is not far from Shenzhen, she still chose to stay put for the Lunar New Year.

“I choose to stay in order to answer the city’s call, and to prepare for exams and job interviews after the Lunar New Year.”

She said that her parents are very supportive of her decision. She currently has taken on the job of temporary dormitory supervisor. Her daily work includes checking the number of students, issuing meal vouchers, and dealing with other affairs assigned by the teachers. (Yang Yawen)