ABBEY LOVETT

Guest Reporter

Imagine the stress of finals. Instead of popping prescription drugs or downing Red Bull, students should drink cups of tea, which can increase energy and lower stress hormones.

The Asian World Center recently invited students and faculty to drink and learn about Asian tea and the Asian culture.

Dr. Maorong Jiang, the center’s director, wanted to inform students of the dozen teas and their different benefits.

“Tea can make you more healthy; it helps lower your cholesterol,” Jiang said.

One of Jiang’s favorite combinations is jasmine tea and olong tea. When his students have examinations, he will give them tea to help releive stress, he said.

Students and faculty filtered in and out during the afternoon event.

While a dozen people drank their tea, Andrew Trapp, a 2008 graduate, gave a presentation on his experience in China. He taught English at Hohia University in Nanjing, China for one year.

Trapp said he hopes his experience in China will encourage other students to study abroad. The Asian World Center would like to send more students to work with Hohai University.

Dr. Judith Kissell, the director of Health Administration and Policy Program, said she enjoyed the tea and that it promotes interest in China.

Krista Zuroske, Business freshman, attended the event and she said it was interesting to see all the benefits of drinking tea.

Corinne Googe, Arts & Sciences freshman, has Jiang as her political science professor, but she heard about the event primarily through Student News, she said.

This year, the Asian World Center moved into Lower Becker, next to Irma’s Bistro, Jiang said.

In previous years, the Asian World Center had tea and reading events in the Union Pacific Room.

Jiang’s aspirations extend beyond teaching about tea, he said he hopes to build an Asian garden outside of Lower Becker in the future.

He explained it would be a wonderful combination of the Asian World Center and the Department of Fine and Performing Arts.