International Student Newsletter

Dear international students,

We hope you all had an enjoyable spring break!

在本通讯的公告部分，了解更多有关资源和活动的信息，这些资源和活动可以帮助您提高在波士顿大学的学术和社交体验。例如，了解LGBTQIA+学生资源中心提供的不同活动，以及由GLAM4GOOD和波士顿大学纽伯里中心赞助的快闪精品店，为学生提供免费的全新服装，洗发水，除臭剂和化妆品。要为你的职业生涯做好准备，请查看BU Connects提供的许多工具，包括网络目录、行业和亲和团体，以及指导机会。Proud to BU播客和100多个校友职业教练的职业网络研讨会讨论了各种主题，从网络到管理不确定性，再到ChatGPT和人工智能领域的求职。如果你有一个商业想法，或者对培养企业家心态和强大的社区感兴趣，可以考虑参加BU BUild Lab的Pitch and Pizza或idea Generator Lab研讨会，并开始开发可用于任何行业的创新技能。最后，请注意，一年一度的全球项目摄影大赛将于2024年3月18日至29日举行，今年的主题是“全球参与”。提交您的全球参与主题照片（最多3张！）是展示您在过去一年中在波士顿或世界任何地方参与全球活动的好方法！

In the Student Experiences section, BU junior Wenxuan Li (CAS’25), reflects on her study abroad experiences in Geneva and Kyoto, and shares recommendations with other international students considering studying abroad. In Culture Corner, learn about multicultural and religious holidays in March and April, including Easter, Holi, Ramadan, and Passover, and how they are celebrated at BU.

We wish everyone good luck with any upcoming projects and exams. Happy Spring!

Announcements

LGBTQIA+ Student Center Resource Spotlight & Events

Thanks to GLAM4GOOD and the BU Newbury Center, the LGBTQIA+ Student Center has a pop-up boutique of free, brand-new clothing, underthings, shampoo, deodorant, and makeup! Stop by anytime (808 Comm Ave, 2^nd Floor) and take what you would like! For upcoming events, including LGBTQIA+ Climb Night, Ask Away!, and Trans & Gender Expansive Art Showcase, check out the Center website.

BU Connects

BU Connects is a platform exclusively for BU alumni, students, faculty, and staff that brings Terriers together for personal and professional networking on a global scale. Listen to the Proud to BU podcast, browse the 100+ career webinars, and learn more about key features, including the networking directory, industry and affinity groups, and mentoring opportunities here.

More Information

Global Programs Photo Contest

The annual Global Programs Photo Contest is March 18 through March 29, 2024, and the theme is Global Engagement. All students are eligible to submit up to three photos. For a full description of the contest, prizes and submission guidelines please see the contest page.

BUild Lab

BUild Lab is a collaboration space that helps all BU students and recent alumni transform their ideas into something real and develop innovation skills, an entrepreneurial mindset, and a strong community. Check out their upcoming workshops including the Idea Generator Lab on March 29 and April 16, and Pitch and Pizza on April 9, and start building innovation skills that can be used to create impact in any career.

Upcoming Events

Full Calendar

Student Experiences

A Word from Students

BU junior,Wenxuan Li (CAS’25) reflects on her study abroad experiences in Geneva and Kyoto

Read the Full Story

Culture Corner

Multicultural and Religious Celebrations during Spring

Easter (Christian)

Easter is a Christian tradition marking the day Jesus Christ is said to have come back to life. The holiday concludes the “Passion of Christ,” a series of events and holidays that begins with Lent, a 40-day period of fasting, prayer and sacrifice, and ends with Holy Week, which includes Holy Thursday (the celebration of Jesus’ Last Supper with his 12 Apostles), Good Friday (on which Jesus’ crucifixion is observed) and Easter Sunday. On Easter Sunday, people attend church services where they sing and pray. It’s a day for some family activities as well, like decorating hard-boiled eggs and searching for hidden treats around the house.

In 2024, Roman Catholic and Protestant Easter is observed on March 31. Eastern Orthodox Easter is observed on Sunday, May 4.

Source and more information about Easter can be found here.

Easter celebrations at BU. BU Marsh Chapel and BU Catholic Center will host a number of events during Holy Week (March 24-March 31), including Easter Sunday sunrise service (March 31, 7:30 am, BU Beach), Protestant Festival (9 am-11 am, Marsh Chapel) and a Roman Catholic Mass (1 pm, Marsh Chapel).

Holi (Hindu)

Holi is a popular Hindu festival, known as the Festival of Colors, Love and Spring. This ancient tradition marks the end of winter and honors the triumph of good over evil. Across India, Holi celebrations differ from region to region, but common rituals include lighting bonfires, throwing colorful powder called gulal, eating sweets, and dancing to traditional folk music. Different colors have their own symbolism: Blue is for Krishna, a Hindu god usually portrayed with bright blue skin. Green is for rebirth and new beginnings, and red symbolizes marriage or fertility. In 2024, Holi is observed on March 25.

Source and more information about Holi can be found here.

Holi celebrations at BU. At BU, the Hindu Cultural Association (HCA) will host a celebration on March 30 (1:30 pm-3:30 pm, Cummington Mall) with dance performances, music, and color powder. Tickets for the event go live on Eventbrite on March 20 at 6pm.

Ramadan (Islam)

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Muslim calendar and the holy month of fasting. It begins and ends with the appearance of the crescent moon, and in 2024 it is observed between March 10-April 8. For Muslims, it’s a time of increased worship, charity and good deeds. Socially, it often brings families and friends together in festive gatherings around meals to break their fast. Ramadan is followed by the Islamic holiday of Eid al-Fitr (April 10, 2024).

A list of 25 traditional dishes enjoyed for Ramadan around the globe can be found here.

Source and more information about Ramadan can be found here.

Ramadan celebrations at BU. BU Dining Services, in collaboration with Religious Life and Student Government, will provide iftar meals between March 18 and April 9. Maghrib, Isha, and Taraweeh prayers will take place daily in the lower level of the George Sherman Union (775 Commonwealth Avenue) in Room B02.

Passover (Jewish)

Passover is one of the Jewish religion’s most sacred and widely observed holidays. Jewish people observe the weeklong festival with several important rituals, including a traditional Passover meal known as a seder, the removal of leavened products from their home, the substitution of matzo for bread and the retelling of the exodus tale. In 2024, Passover is observed between April 22 and April 30.

Source and more information about Passover can be found here.

Passover celebrations at BU. Join BU GradHillel for an interactive Passover Seder and a festive meal on April, 22 at 7 pm (RSVP here) and an End of Passover and Semester party on May 1, at 4 pm (RSVP here). Events will take place at BU Hillel (213 Bay State Road).