by Laura Hoksbergen

Features Editor

Five years ago, two Calvin students decided to bring Chinese culture to campus. Fan and Rose Wang, who are now graduate students at Wheaton were from mainland China and wanted to share a little of themselves with the rest of the campus.

The result is our current vibrant China Club.

``We are trying to bring more Chinese cultural related issues to Calvin community by working with the new Asian Studies department and the greater Grand Rapids Chinese community and church,'' says Megan Pai, a current member of the club.

``China will be a super force,'' she continues. ``And I think thru China club people can have a basic scoop about Chinese culture, people and issues.'' 

The club has many different activities during the year - monthly meetings as well as numerous outings a fun get-togethers.

``Our welcome event is a Culture Night where we brought Chinese food, games and a Jackie Chan movie,'' says Pai. ``And ever year we do something for Rangeela - to bring a bit of Chinese culture to the stage.''

At the end of the year, the club takes a trip to China town, where they partake of Chinese cuisine and sing karaoke, the Chinese way.

Activities also include the Grand Rapids community in a unique way.

``We work with Grand Rapids Chinese Church for a youth group bible study,'' says Pai, ``and quite a few people come.''

While the club likes to extend itself to include the community, but it also helps its international members adjust to life in the United States.

``The club helps me to adapt myself in this new western culture,'' says Deb Lim, a new member of the club. ``Here I find a place where you can just relax and feel closer to home.''

Not that you have to be Chinese to join.

``I have met people that are not Chinese in the club,'' says Lim, ``and it's just amazing to see how they are involved and interested in Chinese culture. They're open and incredibly wonderful people.''

``The group is diverse,'' says Pai. ``Not all [of us are] Chinese but a [we are a] good population of those who are interested in Chinese culture.''

And there is indeed much to learn.

``I'm a Malaysian Chinese and wanted to know more about the Chinese people from different countries,'' says Lim. ``I want to find out how Christianity is getting about in China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, etc. If I am to reach out to the people there, getting to know the culture is the number one item on my list.

``I'm discovering how even though you're a Chinese, but the place or province in which you come from really makes a difference. For example, Hong Kong and China are very different. Hong Kong people speak Cantonese and China people speak Mandarin (Chinese). I've learnt to appreciate these differences and not just lump them all together. I've learnt to appreciate the culture itself because i am more Malaysian than I am Chinese.''

Despite all this, the club is really about the people.

``I expanded my Chinese vocabulary,'' Lim says. ``And i got to meet some really great people.''

``What makes China club special is we are all somewhat interested in Chinese culture or trying to learn more about it,'' says Pai.