FUSIA Communications and Cross-Cultural Internship Program (CCIP) interns took part in the 18th annual Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival in New York. The festival brings people from across cultures together in the spirit of summer joy, friendly competition, and a traditional celebration, with a modern New York flavor. Though the CCIP students did not race a dragon boat themselves, their participation was no less special.

Taking place on Meadow Lake in Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Queens, the festival ran over the course of two days, with two races as the feature events. However, the races were definitely not all the event had to offer. The public was treated to shows, traditional dances, a parade and performances. And keeping in spirit with last year’s event, sponsors again set up booths to show their support.

FUSIA/CCIP has been a long time creative sponsor of the event over the web, but this marks the first year FUSIA/CCIP has been given a booth to show its support. In lieu of this special first, FUSIA/CCIP decided to do something different. This year, FUSIA/CCIP set up a sponsor’s booth and the CCIP interns manned it.

The goal was to get the spectators involved, sharing in the festivities with them, and gathering some valuable information in the process. CCIP and the interns also wanted to lend a helping hand to the local vendors and in doing so, devised a survey. This proved yet another opportunity for them to build upon both practical and personal experience and all in the midst of the extraordinary multicultural backdrop that so few cities can provide.

"This special event in this very special neighborhood embodies the spirit of cultures coming together to build and experience something beautiful. As with all the previous years, I’m glad to have added my part into this multicultural fabric" said Elizabeth Kay, president of FUSIA.

Showing how far they have come in barely more than the middle point of their 7-month program, FUSIA/CCIP students conducted their survey on Asian Internet Usage with poise and professionalism. The interns did not forget to bring their festive spirit either-as a treat for festival goers the interns also held a free barbecue at the booth. The day ended with a small raffle for all those who participated in the survey.

One of the CCIP intern organizers had this to add: "It was wonderful meeting so many different people from this city. Their diversity will never cease to surprise me. Even without having tallied the answers of the survey, just by being here, I think I've already learned a lot." said Tony Lam, a year 2 Electrical Engineering Student of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University.

Another student said simply, "I'm glad I signed on for this. Not for one moment did I think of it as just an extra workday. I’ve gotten a new experience out of this to carry with me for years to come. That’s worth a lot more than the couple of hours I gave." Said Wan Hon San, a year 2 Accounting and Finance Student of the University of Hong Kong.