One of the greatest advantages of the international community at Williams is the opportunity it offers domestic students to explore and appreciate different cultures. To deepen this intercultural experience, Assistant Head of School for Enrollment and Advancement Sharon Gaudreau and Global Perspectives Interdisciplinary Certificate Program Leader Liam Tresnan developed a plan to connect domestic and international students beyond the classroom. Their solution? Snack Chats.
Each month, during these informal sessions, domestic and international students enjoy a midmorning snack together to learn more about one another’s cultures, collaborate on event planning, and strengthen their intercultural skills.
Recently, these groups worked together to organize the school’s annual Lunar New Year celebration. “Students shared their favorite traditions for the Lunar New Year, explained the significance of the Year of the Snake, and helped plan how we could come together as a community for this celebration,” said Tresnan.
The result was a vibrant and engaging Lunar New Year celebration. Led by Head Ambassador Ken Wang ‘26, the festivities kicked off with a trivia game focused on Chinese history and traditions, followed by the distribution of red envelopes containing chocolate coins instead of money. Throughout the day, students participated in activities in the Williams Room, including playing Mahjong and creating their own firecrackers.
This celebration not only marked the start of the new year but also served as a meaningful opportunity to blend both cultures at Williams, reinforcing the school’s commitment to fostering community and intercultural understanding.
