Yenching Scholars at the PKU New Graduate Student Union Halloween Party

On November 2nd, Yenching Academy GSU co-hosted, along with 7 other Peking University departments, the New Graduate Student Union Party, under the theme “Harry Potter & Halloween”. Graduate students from around PKU were able to welcome new incoming students, as well as make friends from other departments within the university.

The organizers of the 2018 New GSU Party, with 2018 YCA Scholar Jake Hamel from the US (in the middle) who was one of the 4 MCs of the event

Several YCA Scholars actively helped with the organization of the event, especially with the performances of the night. The party officially kicked off with a dramatic violin solo performance of “Hedwig's Theme”, the famous Harry Potter theme song, by 2017 Scholar Minjoo Noh from South Korea, who is also the Head of YCA Music Group. Then the 4 MCs came on stage to moderate the event, including 2018 YCA Scholar Jake Hamel from the US, who demonstrated his excellent Chinese skills all throughout the evening.

2017 Scholar Minjoo Noh performing the Harry Potter theme song on violin

The party continued with interactive games and more performances by talented students from other PKU departments. In between the games and performances, the YCA Dance Group, joined by several other PKU students and led by the 2018 Scholar Anastasia Kurbatova from Russia, really livened up the party by putting on a fun fusion swing dance performance for the participants!

2018 Scholar Anastasia Kurbatova in the middle of a lively fusion swing dance with fellow Scholars Ilari Makela, Federico Verly, and other PKU students

Almost 20 YCA Scholars attended the event in total, and some were dressed to impress. 2017 Scholar and this year's GSU President, Miles Graham, showed up sporting real tree branches together with fellow 2018 Scholar Olivia Holder! All in all, YCA GSU had a great time meeting and befriending PKU students as well as working together to host an amazing party for the new 2018 Fall semester.

GSU President Miles Graham (second to left) and other YCA Scholars having fun at the 2018 PKU GSU Party in their Halloween costumes

by Minjoo Noh