People display Zongzi, or rice dumplings, at a workshop in a restaurant in Manhattan, New York City, the United States, on June 16, 2018.

The young girl's words were echoed by another college sophomore who did not identify herself.

"Being able to make authentic Chinese festive food and share it with others really helps with the homesickness," said the sophomore. "It can be hard to stand especially in the first few years in the US."

The participants were instructed step by step to make a Zongzi on their own: layer two leaves, with the smooth sides up and form a cone, and add fillings of different kinds in proper order. Then add another leaf around the edge of the cone to make it wider and fold the leaf towards the middle, upper remaining part of the leaves towards the back. Finally, use kitchen string to wrap tightly around the dumpling.