Page 18 - Fall 2017 Magazine

chinese cuLTuRe
AvodAh
by sam mahtani
cAlIfornIA IS HoME To ovEr 250,000 cHInESE, many of which are immigrants in the Los Angeles area.
In an e ort to understand this unique culture, earlier this semester nearly 20 Providence students took a trip to the San Gabriel Valley in Southern California, an area sprawling with various Chinese businesses, supermarkets, shops, and restaurants.
The students had the opportunity to experience Chinese culture and explore its unique cuisine by visiting San Gabriel Square. Additionally, students interacted
with the authentic supermarket and food stalls, followed by a meal at New Capital Seafood restaurant.
Lindsey Osburn ’19, had this to say about her experience: “I felt like I was in a di erent country,” said Osburn “We were the only people in the restaurant that weren’t of Chinese descent, so it felt like we were immersed in a new culture.”
This Avodah excursion also focused on learning more about Chinese-American religion. Providence students rst visited the Hsi Lai Buddhist temple, an
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