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My name is Xinran, a student from Nanjing, a historic city in eastern China, and I am currently living in the University’s accommodation at Crown Place in Liverpool. Being away from home has made festivals feel a little different, but also more meaningful in unexpected ways. The New Year has always been an important time for me, as it is a moment to look back on the past year and look forward to a new beginning. This year is the Year of the Horse, which is often associated with energy, progress, and a positive spirit, so it feels like a perfect time to start the year with hope and motivation.

Before the New Year arrives, I plan to prepare my room and our flat in the same way my family would do at home. I will start by cleaning and tidying up, which symbolises saying goodbye to the old year and welcoming a fresh start. I also want to put up red couplets and the character “Fu,” which represents good fortune. Even small decorations can make the apartment feel warmer and more festive, especially when you are far from home.

Food is always at the heart of the celebration for me. Back in Nanjing, my family would prepare dishes such as egg dumplings, tofu balls, spring rolls, and dumplings, and the reunion dinner would be the highlight of the year. This time in Liverpool, I want to recreate that feeling in our flat. I am planning to invite a few friends over, and I will also celebrate with my international flatmates. We will cook together and share a big dinner. I hope to make fried spring rolls, tofu balls, sweet and sour pork ribs, and a few other dishes that are usually eaten at New Year. After dinner, we plan to watch the Spring Festival Gala together, which is a simple but meaningful way to spend the evening.

The next day, I also plan to greet my flatmates and wish them well for the new year. In my culture, visiting people and sending good wishes is an important tradition, and it is common to share sweets and snacks as a friendly gesture. I brought some candies and snacks from China, and I would love to share them with my flatmates, so we can celebrate together and wish each other peace and good luck for the year ahead.

Living in student accommodation means you often celebrate special moments with people from different backgrounds, and that makes the experience even more memorable. Around this time, there will also be a New Year event at Crown Place on the 19th February , and I am planning to join it after our own small celebration at home. It feels nice to be able to celebrate in more than one way and with more people.

The New Year is, above all, a time of togetherness and hope. Even though I am far from home, celebrating it with friends and flatmates makes it feel warm and meaningful in its own way. As this is the Year of the Horse, I hope it will be a year full of energy, progress, and new opportunities for everyone.