Traditions Bring Connections

Living in Penang for the past seven years has taught me to love Chinese New Year, even the fireworks. To me, that sound means something beautiful: families gathered, neighbors celebrating – a community alive.

When we first arrived in Penang just before COVID, I remember standing on our balcony watching a dragon dance outside a nearby home, curious about what it all meant. Over time, curiosity turned into appreciation. Now I feel the excitement when I see red lanterns lining the streets of Georgetown, look forward to pineapple tarts, and to delicate love-letter treats left on tables to share with others.

One thing I have learned as an outsider is that Chinese New Year is about family connections. Even when people jokingly complain about the busyness or all the visiting and traveling, you can tell they cherish the tradition. There is an intention behind it. They are making time for relatives, sharing meals, and spending multiple days together.

As our family prepares for a new chapter, there are many things we will miss about this school and community. For me, I will miss being part of this season, learning from it, observing it, and being welcomed into it. While it is not my cultural holiday, it has shaped me. In many ways, it feels more meaningful than a typical American New Year’s Eve celebration because it centers on belonging, and honestly, it is much more fun than a New Year’s Eve party. You can’t help but love a dragon that throws oranges to the loud beat and rhythms of the drums.

Living in different cultures teaches us that we do not have to own a tradition to learn from it. I can choose to prioritize family dinners, intentionally reconnecting with relatives, and allow celebration and connection to stretch over days rather than hours.

That is one of the gifts of our community; we don’t just live alongside one another’s cultures; we are invited to experience them. And in that sharing, we all belong a little more.