Dozens of students gathered at the Civic and Global Engagement House to celebrate Halloween with a pumpkin carving and painting party. For several of the international students in attendance, it is their first time celebrating the holiday.

“I grew up in a rural area in Cambodia, so we did not have Halloween, Christmas, or anything. I was born on Christmas Day, actually, but I had no idea,” Chayhok Chhor ’27 said. “This is my third year in the United States, but my first year joining this event. It’s awesome.”

First-year Chinese students Allen Shi and Eddie Lu shared what they knew about Halloween before they came to the U.S.

“I just knew a little about Halloween,” Shi said. “Sometimes young people in China celebrate with pumpkins like here in the U.S. They carve or draw on them.”  

As for costumes, Lu agreed that they have become more typical these days among younger people in China.

“Especially in bigger cities like Shanghai,” he explained.

Students were invited to pick a pumpkin from the “pumpkin patch” located in the back of the Civic and Global Engagement House. Painting and carving materials were provided, giving students the chance to let their creativity shine. The movie Halloweentown also played on the TV, while spooky tunes blared from the speakers.