Celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival
The Mid-Autumn Festival is a vibrant harvest celebration and holiday observed across a number of Asian countries and communities worldwide. It traditionally falls on the 15th day of the 8th month of the Lunar calendar, when the moon is at its fullest and brightest.
The official start of the celebrations for 2025 is Monday, October 6th. Some countries and cultures celebrate across multiple days.
A Celebration of Harvest and Family
Predominately observed in countries like China, Vietnam, Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand, the festival is a time for gratitude, reunion, and observing the bountiful autumn harvest.
While the central theme of gathering with family and loved ones is universal, each culture brings its own unique traditions, whether it's a specific emphasis on the full moon, honoring ancestors, or celebrating children.
The Mid-Autumn Festival is known by several beautiful names, reflecting the cultural diversity of its observance:
- China (Mandarin/Cantonese) | 中秋节 (Zhōngqiū Jié) / 中秋節 (Jūng-chāu Jit) (Mid-Autumn Harvest Festival, Mooncake Festival)
- Vietnam | Tết Trung Thu (Also known as the Children's Festival)
- Korea | 추석 (Chuseok) / 한가위 (Hangawi) (Often referred to as "Korean Thanksgiving")
- Japan | 月見 (Tsukimi) (Moon Viewing)
- Hong Kong, Thailand, Taiwan | Moon Festival or Mooncake Festival
- Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia | Lantern Festival (Note: This is distinct from the Lantern Festival that takes place in the first month of the Lunar calendar)
Festive Foods
Food is a significant element of the Mid-Autumn Festival, with specific treats that symbolize reunion and completeness:
Mooncakes are the most iconic food, widely eaten and gifted, in many communities that celebrate the "Mooncake Festival". These dense, round pastries traditionally feature rich fillings like lotus seed paste or red bean paste, often with salted duck egg yolks to represent the full moon. Modern variations include everything from ice cream to chocolate fillings.
In Vietnamese households, you may enjoy two main types of mooncakes: Bánh Dẻo, which is a sticky-soft, mochi-like pastry, and Bánh Nướng, the more common baked mooncake. Tết Trung Thu also features green rice flakes (Cốm) wrapped in lotus leaves and a colorful Five-Fruit Tray offered to ancestors.
In Korea during Chuseok, families prepare Songpyeon, small, crescent-shaped rice cakes steamed over pine needles. These are often filled with ingredients like toasted sesame seeds, chestnuts, or red bean paste. The crescent shape symbolizes future prosperity.
From all of us, we wish you a joyous and memorable Mid-Autumn Festival!
From Angelina's own culture and language, 추석 잘 보내세요! ("Have a good Chuseok!")
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The Mosaic Center and all events are open for full participation by all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or any other protected category under applicable federal law, state law, and the University's nondiscrimination policy.
Calling All Graduate Students!
Join the writing accountability group to commit to your writing goals. We had our Kickoff meeting on Friday (10/03) and we have already formed some groups!
But it is not late! You can still join WAGs to commit to your writing project. Sign up now!
What are Writing Accountability Group, or WAGs at UMBC?
What: Writing Accountability Groups (WAGs) are voluntary and facilitated by fellow UMBC graduate students
Who: WAGs are comprised of a group of graduate students (usually 4-8 participants per group) interested in developing writing habits and accountability
Why: Develop habits of writing every day for a short, manageable period of time by setting goals and being accountable to WAG peers
When: WAG groups meet once a week for 60-90 minutes for 10-12 weeks. The group finds a weekly time mutually convenient to all group members.
- Where: The group decides on a mutually convenient location to meet, whether in person or online via WebEx or other video conferencing platform
The application for the Spring 2026 Graduate Student Fellowship at the Dresher Center is now live! This fellowship supports graduate students in the humanities and related disciplines who are pursuing innovative research.
Apply now and learn more on the website:
https://dreshercenter.umbc.edu/fellowships/graduate-student/
If any students have questions about the program or application process, please contact chobson1@umbc.edu directly.
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The application for the Spring 2026 Graduate Student Fellowship at the Dresher Center is now live! This fellowship supports graduate students in the humanities and related disciplines who are...
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Mon, 06 Oct 2025 10:32:46 -0400
Coffee Monday!
Start your week off right!
Freshly brewed coffee, tea are waiting for you in Commons 308. Come join the Office of Graduate Student Life this morning for Coffee Monday from 10AM - 2PM! Follow their myUMBC page for more info about events like this!
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Freshly brewed coffee, tea are waiting for you in Commons 308. Come join the Office of Graduate Student Life this morning for Coffee Monday from 10AM - 2PM! Follow their myUMBC page for more info...
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Mon, 06 Oct 2025 09:46:10 -0400
Dinner with Friends
A Conversation about Issues Affecting People at UMBC
On Thursday, October 23, UMBC's Center for Democracy and Civic Life will host Dinner with Friends, an engaging, facilitated conversation that will connect you with other members of the UMBC community. The program will take place on October 23, 2025 from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. in the University Center, UC 312. The Center for Democracy and Civic Life will provide a catered dinner.
Attendees will be seated together in small groups and have the opportunity to participate in conversations in one of three topic areas:- Mental health
- Food insecurity
- Finding community on campus
Please RSVP by October 15, 2025 to reserve your seat at this popular dinner program and select your conversation topic of interest!
If you have any questions, please feel free to email the Center for Democracy and Civic Life at civiclife@umbc.edu.
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On Thursday, October 23, UMBC's Center for Democracy and Civic Life will host Dinner with Friends, an engaging, facilitated conversation that will connect you with other members of the UMBC...
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Sat, 04 Oct 2025 17:19:01 -0400
Reminder-Exclusive Movie Screening on Oct 13: Quad Life
Click on the movie poster to watch the trailer!
Join us for an exclusive screening of Quad Life — the powerful story of a young Black father whose world is turned upside down after a life-changing accident. Follow his journey of resilience and reinvention as he pursues his passion as an artist and quadriplegic sound designer, redefining what "normal" means along the way.
Popcorn will be provided. For a special surprise, the main actor will be joining us after the screening for a live Q&A session.
Go to this link and click "Going In-Person" to reserve your spot.
Please note: This event is not sponsored, and Quad Life is not currently available on Netflix. All graphics and introductory materials are created solely to enhance the promotional experience and generate excitement for this screening.
This event is open for full participation by all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or any other protected category under applicable federal law, state law, and the University's
nondiscrimination policy.
UMBC is committed to creating an accessible and inclusive environment for all. For additional inquiries about access or accommodation, please email
disability@umbc.edu
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Join us for an exclusive screening of Quad Life — the powerful story of a young Black father whose world is turned upside down after a life-changing accident. Follow his journey of resilience and...
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Main actor David Jeffers and his wife
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Fri, 03 Oct 2025 13:00:37 -0400
Free Coffee at Commons 308
The OGSL runs on Dunkin!
Need a mid-day pick-me-up? Stop by Commons 308 today for FREE coffee from Dunkin', courtesy of GEARS! Come hang out, grab a cup, and recharge for the day. Available while supplies last or until 4 PM—don’t miss it!
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Need a mid-day pick-me-up? Stop by Commons 308 today for FREE coffee from Dunkin', courtesy of GEARS! Come hang out, grab a cup, and recharge for the day. Available while supplies last or until 4...
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Fri, 03 Oct 2025 12:23:48 -0400
HAPPENING NOW - Writing Accountability Groups (WAGs) Kickoff Meeting - Fall 2025
Join WAGs, be accountable and accomplish your writing goals!
Calling All Graduate Students!
Join the writing accountability group to commit to your writing goals. The kickoff meeting is on 10/03/2025 from 11am - 12pm at ILSB 201 (virtual option also available). Light refreshments will be provided!
Click
here to join this meeting virtually.
What are Writing Accountability Group, or WAGs at UMBC?
What: Writing Accountability Groups (WAGs) are voluntary and facilitated by fellow UMBC graduate students
Who: WAGs are comprised of a group of graduate students (usually 4-8 participants per group) interested in developing writing habits and accountability
Why: Develop habits of writing every day for a short, manageable period of time by setting goals and being accountable to WAG peers
When: WAG groups meet once a week for 60-90 minutes for 10-12 weeks. The group finds a weekly time mutually convenient to all group members.
- Where: The group decides on a mutually convenient location to meet, whether in person or online via WebEx or other video conferencing platform
The Office for Academic & Pre-Professional Advising has openings available for Winter Orientation Advisors! Advisors meet with incoming undergraduate students VIRTUALLY during the month of January in one-on-one sessions to plan out and register for classes. No previous experience is required, and we will provide all training necessary!
Besides compensation, this is a rare chance for graduate students to gain professional and interpersonal experience. Depending on your field, your time as a student may not open you up to many client-facing interactions, and this is a pathway to gaining that experience. If you are considering a career in academia, meanwhile, advising experience is highly sought-after in faculty openings.
Advisors are eligible to be compensated at the rate of $100 per afternoon session and $50 per evening or morning session, with the opportunity to work several sessions during the month. Although there are only a few days during which help is needed in January, advisors in good standing may be invited back to participate in our much larger Summer program afterwards. Participants are also eligible to earn the Orientation Advisor microcredential! See more info here:
https://badges.umbc.edu/
Grad students on F-1 visas ARE eligible for this work and invited to apply!
We are online offering informational sessions for anyone interested or who even just MIGHT be interested in finding out about this exciting opportunity to expand their skillsets, make meaningful connections, serve their departments, and get paid! No RSVP necessary.
For additional details, see the application
HERE, which is due by October 15.
Hi everyone! Hope to see you there!
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Hi everyone! Hope to see you there!
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Thu, 02 Oct 2025 12:21:21 -0400