BUas stimulates a diverse community with BUas Clubs

Author: Viktorija Doļa is a Game Design and Production student from Latvia. In her job for the BUas student community she is responsible for managing the clubs at BUas and she is a leader and organiser of the Narrative and Women in Games guild.

At BUas, there are many ways to organise and facilitate the BUas community. Numerous activities are organised for and by the community of students and staff such as Sport and Play Fest, De-stress Fest and Cupid’s Carnival. Studium Generale activities spotlight current substantive topics such as inclusion, AI or the Ukraine war. Green Office organises events and activities with the aim of raising awareness and creating a more sustainable campus. The annual Good Mood Week with dozens of activities focuses on student well-being. The HUB provides entertainment in the form of (live) radio, podcasts and BLEND magazine. A very important role in community building is also reserved for the BUas Clubs, which bring students and staff together around shared interests. All to make students and staff feel welcome and at home.

As the manager of BUas Clubs, I was asked to share both my personal journey and the story of the clubs. In this article, you will read about my experiences as an international student at BUas and about the way BUas Clubs enrich the lives of participants, featuring personal stories from those who have been positively impacted by the clubs.

My journey to the BUas Community Team
Many international individuals often grapple with impostor syndrome at thebeginning. It stems from thenotion of starting afresh, considering oneself a blank slate, and downplaying the significance of one's past. The path that led you to your current point should not be overlooked whenembarking on a new chapter. Neglecting your journey and past achievements can lead to feelings of being lost, depression, and the emergence of unfamiliar challenges. As an international student, navigating these struggles simultaneously was not a luxury I could afford, but I did. I aim to shareinsights on how to sidestep thistime-consuming trap.

When I began my journey, I needed a side job that fit my demanding study schedule of 40 hours a week, 9 to 5. It was a daunting task, especially after two years of difficult migrant jobs. The thought of returning to those roles made the challenge even more difficult. Through diligent research, I discovered various avenues to explore. There are student-centric platforms offering 'tasks'—quick, low-effort gigs for a day or a few hours with minimal pressure. The Student Portal often features postings for jobs requiring basic skills like proficiency with Microsoft software, documentation, or email correspondence. Some opportunities demand more active involvement, such as event organising. Frequently, positions as a waiter or waitress are available.

Engaging in a bit of networking is a smart move.Seeking advice from students in their second or third year can provide valuable insightsinto favourable job conditions, team dynamics, and management.Mentioning a referral from such a student could even yield a bonus of 100+ euros - an excellent incentive to kickstart your journey.

Fast-forward to today, I manage the clubs for the BUas Community Team, a role I've proudly held for two years. In my first year, struggling to find a job, this position became my lifeline. Working in a small team of passionate, driven students to strengthen our diverse community does not feel like a job—it is something I would do regardless. My active participation in BUas activities was crucial in securing this role, so I highly recommend getting involved - you could be the next clubs manager!

The world of BUas Clubs
Now,let's diveinto the world of clubs. The main goal is to unite the BUas community around the same interests. Clubs are student or staff initiatives to get togetherwith like-minded people and have fun in a totally inclusive community. These are not just survival tools for international students; they serve as a portal to socialising, learning, and achieving a comfortable lifestyle. It might sound like an idealisticnotion, but clubs can genuinelypave the way for your dreamsto materialise.

Consider this scenario:you once enjoyed baking at home, butnow you find yourself in a student house with a shared kitchen, devoid of an oven and lacking the desire to spend more than 15 minutes there. Enter the Baking Club, fully sponsored by BUas. Here, you can exploreexperimental pastries you have longed to make, surrounded by like-minded individuals eager to share tips and tricks. With over 25clubs, ranging from the Chess, DJ, Gardening, ImprovTheatre, and Japanese Language Clubs to the Airplane Modelling, Maths, Neurodiversity, Running and Volleyball Clubs, there is a diverse array of interests to explore. And if nothing resonates with you, why not create your own club, filling the void with something reminiscent of your home?

As clubs manager, my job is also to ensure that all clubs are totally inclusive. We do that by carefully reviewing all club initiatives and supporting only the ones that do not exclude anyone. This allows for a more welcoming and enriching environment for all students to participate in extracurricular activities and feel a sense of belonging within the university community, no matter if you are a student or a staff member, which helps to erase the barrier. Ultimately, our goal is to create a campusculture that celebrates and embraces diversity in all its forms.

Finally, let us delve into the first-hand narratives of students and lecturers directly impacted by clubs – the leaders and members who shape and contribute to these vibrant communities.

Peter Janssen (student) – Role Playing Game Club leader
“I joined the RPG Club in my first year at BUas and have rarely missed a meeting since. They were open to anyone to join and it was exactly the kind of outlet I wanted for my hobby. The year passed and the organisers who started it were going to leave theNetherlands for their placements, so I took the opportunity to help organise the club myself. It has been a fantastic three years so far and I formed a lot of friendships because of it. After the current academic year is over, I will bepassing the torch to someone else, though I will still be around. I am excited to see what they will do next. The club has been organising different types of Tabletop Role Playing Games; including long-term events, playtests and trying out a variety of different systems. Over the years, we have grown increasingly popular since the inception of the club. I hope that after I leave, it will remain one of the largest and most open communities ofBUas.”

Quincy Kievit (student) – TEA Club member 
“The TEA@Buas club has positively influenced my life, sinceliving on your own can sometimes be lonelybut this club offersactivities where I can share my passion for theme parks, combined with someprofessional aspects. The club does not host too many events which makes it fun to join, and it does not become too much for me.”

David Wessman (lecturer) - Unplugged Games Club leader 
“The Unplugged Games Club is notjust a fun, social activitycentred on tabletop games,it is an opportunity for Games students to analyse and discuss games and game design, and playtest their prototypes. Over the years I have made friends with other club members and am pleased to see many alumni continue to participateyears after they graduated.”

Rico Visscher (student) – Multiple club member 
“It makes it easier to meet new peopleand socialise outsideschool, without being in a bar every day. Having a small room with some less social people in our house can be a bit lonely, so it is nice that there are clubs I can go to every day of the week.”

Join Clubs at BUasto experience it for yourself! You never know until you try; maybe this will be a life-changing experience.

This article was published in Uncover Magazine - Internationalisation. You can read the complete magazine via this link.