Stephanie Chan, a senior linguistics major, always wanted to learn more about Hong Kong, where her ancestors on her father's side lived. But no club at UB gave her what she was looking for.
The Hong Kong Student Association (HKSA) has given Chan the feel of Hong Kong she couldn't find anywhere on campus. Although Hong Kong officially became a part of China in 1997, there are aspects that differentiate it from other cultures. Chan is the president of HKSA and focuses on creating workshops and events that unite members of the club under a single identity.
On Thursday, in 330 Student Union, HKSA is featuring a romantic comedy film from Hong Kong. Hot chocolate and Hershey's Hugs and Kisses will be provided for free.
"We feel that it is important to have an event for Valentine's Day because it can help us and our members spend time together," Chan said. "Valentine's Day is not always for lovers; it's for friends, too. We help to promote Hong Kong culture through this film while giving our single and coupled members another option of celebrating."
Chan said the film gives couples an option aside from spending money at a theater and on chocolate.
Arlene Zhou, a sophomore biomedical sciences and pharmacology toxicology major, was born in southern China. She moved to the United States when she was 9 years old and visits her family back home often.
When she visits, she sometimes also goes to Hong Kong. She wanted to find a little bit of Hong Kong in Buffalo, and HKSA has helped her do so.
"We host many unique events," Zhou said. "We have dessert night, where we serve Hong Kong desserts made by e-board members. We also have 'Cha Siu Fan,' where we roast pork over rice. It's delicious. We've also done tea tasting in the past. Our club is really trying to bring the Hong Kong culture into the university."
Zhou will be at Thursday's movie event. She is excited to continue spreading her love for Hong Kong's culture to other members of the club and UB students.
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