February may be the shortest month of the year, but it offers powerful opportunities for connection, reflection, and celebration. For J-1 visa participants, February can be a time when winter fatigue sets in and motivation begins to dip. Thoughtfully planned cultural activities for February help re-energize participants, strengthen workplace relationships, and reinforce the values of cultural exchange at the heart of the BridgeUSA program.
This month is also rich in cultural significance, from Valentine’s Day and Lunar New Year to Black History Month and Carnival celebrations around the world. By recognizing these moments, Host Employers can create inclusive, educational experiences that allow participants to share their cultures while learning more about American traditions.
1. Valentine’s Day or Friendship Celebration
Valentine’s Day in the US often celebrates not only romantic relationships, but friendship and appreciation as well. Host Employers can throw a simple “friendship day” activity such as a card-making station, appreciation board, or small treat exchange for participants and staff.
These cultural activities for February encourage positivity and belonging while opening conversations about how love, friendship, and relationships are celebrated in different cultures. It’s a small gesture that can have a big impact on participant morale during the winter season.
2. Lunar New Year Cultural Celebration
Lunar New Year is an important holiday celebrated in many countries, including China, Vietnam, Korea, and beyond. If you host participants who celebrate Lunar New Year, or even if you don’t, this is a wonderful opportunity for cultural exchange through food, decorations, music, and storytelling.
Host Employers can invite participants to explain traditions such as family gatherings, symbolic foods, or lucky colors. Celebrating global holidays like Lunar New Year reinforces the BridgeUSA mission of learning through shared cultural experiences.
3. Black History Month Learning Activity
February is Black History Month in the United States, making it an ideal time to explore American history and culture together. Host Employers can organize a group discussion, short documentary viewing, museum visit, or reading activity focused on influential Black leaders, artists, or historical moments.
For J-1 visa participants, this provides deeper insight into American society and its ongoing cultural story. It also encourages meaningful conversations about history, diversity, and social progress within the workplace.
4. International Comfort Food Exchange
Winter is still in full swing in February, making comfort food a popular and relatable theme. Host a lunch or dinner where participants and staff bring favorite comfort foods from their home countries and explain why those dishes are meaningful.
These cultural activities for February highlight how food connects people across cultures while offering a relaxed setting for cultural exchange. They are also an easy way to bring warmth and connection into the workplace during colder days.
5. Carnival or Cultural Festival Spotlight
In many countries, February is associated with Carnival celebrations filled with music, dance, and vibrant traditions. Host Employers can spotlight Carnival by hosting a themed event, sharing videos or music, or inviting participants to talk about festivals celebrated in their home countries during this time of year.
These cultural activities for February emphasize global cultural diversity and give participants an opportunity to proudly share their traditions. They also allow American staff to experience celebrations they may not otherwise encounter.
Planning cultural activities for February helps maintain momentum and connection during a month that can otherwise feel long and quiet. These activities remind participants that cultural exchange is ongoing and that their presence and perspectives are valued.
By continuing to engage participants through inclusive, educational events, BridgeUSA Host Employers strengthen workplace culture, promote mutual understanding, and create lasting memories. These February experiences often become defining moments of a J-1 visa program, reinforcing the impact of cultural exchange long after winter ends.