Student Cultural Groups: Chinese Student Association

Headed by co-presidents Brian Chen ’16 and Julie Kwong ’16, Princeton’s Chinese Student Association (CSA) is one of several distinctive and impactful cultural groups on campus, but it strives to make its own unique mark on Princeton through exciting and inclusive programming that incorporates everything from fun food-themed study breaks to community service work. The club’s ultimate goal is to celebrate Chinese culture in all its various forms.

Anyone can get involved in CSA and attend events, but the club is run by a small executive board and a larger freshman board in the fall that coordinates with the executive board to plan club programming. The intense level of planning that happens behind the scenes in CSA allows the club to host frequent and diverse events for general members to attend.

Recently, the club has also taken a turn toward the philanthropic, sponsoring a trip to a local Chinese school to engage rising juniors and seniors in conversations about college and future goals. CSA is hoping to pursue more community service projects in the future, expanding its aim of honoring Chinese culture to the field of volunteering as well. As far as other future projects, CSA is also hoping to begin offering Mahjong nights for all interested students to come and enjoy the traditional Chinese multiplayer tile game. For those interested in getting more connected to Chinese culture, CSA is the perfect place to do this — the group itself is close-knit, and “the food is amazing,” according to Chen.

Meanwhile, this Saturday is CSA’s Lunar New Year Banquet, a semiformal event at the Fields Center that will feature banquet-style food from students’ favorite local Chinese restaurants. To sweeten the deal, the event will include performances from student groups and a keynote speech from Dante Basco, a prominent voice actor known for voicing the characters of Prince Zuko in "Avatar: The Last Airbender" and Jake Long in Disney Channel’s "American Dragon: Jake Long." Basco will be speaking, taking questions, and hosting a meet-and-greet following the banquet. The event is from 6-8 p.m. and tickets will be on sale at a table in Frist from 2-3:30 p.m. and 8:30-10 p.m. through Feb. 20.