ISO - March 2010 e-Newsletter
Do you ever wonder why there are so many student groups, associations and organizations on campus? Why there seems to be a club devoted to almost everything these days? French club, fencing club, even those kids on the quad playing Frisbee seem to have made it official with the university and found sponsorship for throwing around a plastic disk. (Don’t get me wrong, ISO loves Frisbee clubs.)
Not only is it fun to join student groups on campus and be a part of something bigger (whatever it is that you’re into) it creates a better community on campus—a more connected and interactive group of students that may, in fact, be happier than their less social counterparts. A 2008 study even suggests that happiness is contagious—a “collective phenomenon”-- that spreads amongst friends and close relations depending on their connections and interaction.1
Student groups on campus allow you to connect with fellow students with similar interests or backgrounds and provide a host of positive outcomes you may never have considered:
- You make friends. Everyone has, and loves, having friends. Get with the party.
- Free food! Seriously. For college students low on cash, going to a lecture or film discussion often leads to complimentary snacks and sandwiches. Not to mention those Spring Fling events, Homecoming and Welcome Back barbeques.
- You can network like crazy. Consider for a minute, maybe you want to be a veterinarian someday. There’s bound to be at least one other person on that big campus that feels the same way about helping animals as you. Find him or her (maybe at a Biology club meeting) and you find a possible networking opportunity for when you’re studying for graduate tests together, applying to graduate schools or even trying to set up your own practice. What I mean to say is this; you are going to meet people that you may continue to meet in various career situations—applying for the same jobs, as co-workers and colleagues who someday may help to improve your chances at a better job or opportunity.
- Aspire to be president. Or VP. Or treasurer. The greater your level of involvement and responsibility, the more understanding and experience you’ll gain from the position. Plus, let’s face it, being president of anything looks good on a resume.
- Activities and events will fill your free time on and off campus with all kinds of possibilities, not only meeting and greeting new friends. Maybe you’ll meet a fellow international student from another country and become obsessed with their delicious (although difficult to pronounce) cuisine. Maybe you’ll learn a new skill or discover a lifelong hobby. Explore. Join. Be a part of your community and take advantage of being a young scholar on campus…who, perhaps now, likes to play Frisbee. A lot.
At ISO, we support student associations and are always interested in creating cooperation between ISO and international student organizations. For international student groups that place an ISO link on their website—and for each new student who enrolls to one of our insurance services through that link-- ISO will contribute a referral reward to that particular organization. That’s a pretty sweet deal for your organization…think extra cash for that pizza party you’ve been considering.
In addition to ISO’s monetary contribution, we have also sponsored events for student organizations that have partnered with us for a substantial length of time. If you know of an association that’s interested in participating, let us know! We’ll set up a link specific to your organization and you just need to wait for the referral cash to roll in!
Until then, happy organization hunting from ISO!
- http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/337/dec04_2/a2338