[San Marino, CA] – As the soft melodies of ancient Chinese music filled the air, members of the Study in China Alumni Association (SCAA) gathered at the Huntington Library Chinese gardens for a remarkable immersion in Chinese culture on August 5th, 2023.
Founded by American alumni from multiple universities in China, the Study in China Alumni Association is a non-profit organization that offers resources, language exchange programs, cultural events, and career networking opportunities to its members. The SCAA aims to provide China – U.S. exchange opportunities, allowing members to deepen understanding, appreciation, and connection with Chinese culture, while simultaneously providing members opportunity to practice Chinese language.
Members of the SCAA, passionate about Chinese culture, enjoy sharing it with their American friends and family. One founding member, George Stiffman, went to China to learn about Chinese Tofu and will soon launch Broken Cuisine, a cookbook teaching Americans delicious and sustainable recipes with Chinese tofu. He shared, “At the event, I felt like I was back in China for a few hours, and I had a great time practicing Chinese with the other attendees.”
The event at the Huntington Library included a private, bilingual Chinese and English tour of the Liu Fang Yuan, or the Garden of Flowing Fragrance, as well as a delightful lunch at the Jade Court Cafe. The Huntington’s Garden of Flowing Fragrance, the largest Chinese garden outside of China, offers a blend of traditional Suzhou-style design and Californian craftsmanship. While practicing Chinese, participants wandered through elaborately designed pavilions, crossed stone bridges spanning a serene man-made lake, and admired native Chinese plants, absorbing the profound essence of China’s cultural aesthetics.
Actor and Influencer, Kenan Heppe, with over 5 million worldwide subscribers (IG: @KenanHeppe) and known for his roles in the Chinese series ‘The Three Body Problem’ and the film ‘Red Star over China’, commented, “After living in China for 5 years, I miss being surrounded by the culture. The Chinese language changed my life, and I’m grateful the SCAA helps me find more opportunities to use these skills, and more ways to connect with like-minded people.” Kenan and his wife Nina Heppe met at a gym in Beijing, China. She added, “It was so much fun to hear each other’s stories from the times we lived and worked in China! Great people, a meaningful cultural outing, and an entertaining guide. Looking forward to the next one!”
Mitch Lazerus, the SCAA’s co-founder and an alumnus of Peking University, shared, “We not only visited one of the most amazing Chinese gardens in the world and learned about the history, philosophy and culture related to it, we learned from each other and shared our own stories and experiences in China and in our careers and activities today. The most amazing part is that this largely all happens in Mandarin! Surely nowhere else is there a group so enthusiastic, dynamic and talented! Anyone seeking Mandarin skills will find the SCAA to be the ultimate resource and a sheer delight!”
Post-tour, members relaxed at the Jade Court Cafe, savoring traditional Chinese dishes like the renowned Dan Dan Noodles. Amidst flavors and laughter, they practiced Mandarin and shared anecdotes, truly embodying the spirit of the SCAA – one of exchange, understanding, and respect for the rich tapestry that is Chinese culture. Angela Efros, President of the SCAA, reflected on the day, saying, “The Chinese Garden served as an ideal backdrop for our members to reconnect. Our gratitude goes out to the expert tour guides who brought the garden’s history to life for us.”
