Hi all, the weather here has been very warm and sunny recently. Everyone seems to be enjoying the weather, you can see a lot of students sitting on the grass by the lake just talking to their friends and chilling. Perfect for stress relief, especially when exams are coming in less than a month.
Couple weeks ago, the ISA (Indian Student Association) organised the most colourful event at Surrey- Holi 2016. Holi is Hindu Spring festival in India and Nepal, the festival is also known as the festival of colour or the festival of sharing love. All of the students are welcome to join the event. I think this is such a great way for students to learn and experience other cultures. The members of the ISA had kindly prepared all the colour powders and some traditional food and drinks for free for the event. The event took place in the PATS field at 1 o’clock in the afternoon. Many students got their early to queue up. They had speakers blasting Bollywood hits mixed with western pop music.
My friends and I got changed into clothes that we didn’t mind getting dirty (I mean colourful) and we got to the venue just in time before it started. Everyone was very happy and throwing colours to each other. People didn’t mind to get dirty at all, everyone was just enjoying the festival and throwing colours to their friends. My friends and I had a really good time and it made such good memories.
The event was a big success and everyone had a really great time. The photos are taken from the ISA Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/isa.surrey), there are more photos from the event and past events as well. So please feel free to visit their Facebook page.
Breaking News!! I have recently became the President of the Mental Health Society (MindSoc)! I am really looking forward to work with other members of the society and organise events for students.
The society aims to raise awareness about mental health and emotional wellbeing at The University of Surrey.
By tackling the stigma, discrimination and negative attitudes surrounding mental illness and encouraging and educating students to consider mental health as part of their overall health in order to promote simple ways of staying mentally healthy! Studying at university can sometimes be a bit overwhelming, especially if you are leaving your home country to study abroad. Many people neglect the importance of staying mentally healthy and only focus on their physical health. However, it is also important to take care of your mental health too. We hope that by organising events and educating students about mental health, mental illnesses/disorders are no long a taboo but something students should be able to openly talk about. And that students can be more understanding and caring about their friends who might be suffering from it. We have to accept that mental illnesses are actual physical disorders that requires treatment and help. It is 2016, and mental illnesses/disorders shouldn’t be something to be ashamed of and embarrassed about. Feel free to look up MindSoc on facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/SurreyMindSoc/?fref=nf) or you can email me or leave a comment if you have any questions or concerns. I am happy to share my personal experience through emails. 🙂
Not only the ISA but other cultural societies also organise events to share about their culture with other students. The Surrey ABACUS is also organising the ” Miss ABACUS” event, which is a cross-dressing beauty pageant on the 18th May 2016. Please feel free to visit their page for more information. (https://www.facebook.com/surreyabacus/)
Also, tonight is the Students’ Union AMM (annual members meeting), which they will be discussing the Union’s budgets and affiliations for the following year, students and societies are also welcome to submit their policy motion and can attend to vote. As a student at the University of Surrey, you are a part of the university. Therefore, I think it is important to be aware of what’s happening at the uni and the things may or may not directly relate to you. Your voice does counts and could make a difference!
I hope you all a great weekend and enjoy the nice weather!
Diana x
