Societies and associations – oh my!
By Rachel, studying MSc History, from the USA.
My name is Rachel and I’m an American international student pursuing an MSc in History. When I was looking into the University of Edinburgh at the end of my undergraduate studies, I was particularly worried about finding friends. Coming to the UK from the US, I didn’t know anyone, how things work, or even where anything was!
I was particularly nervous, as I’m pursuing a history degree, but I come from a science background. This left me worried I wouldn’t have much in common with my cohort.
GEAS -The Edinburgh University Roleplaying Society
The first society I joined was GEAS, the Edinburgh University Roleplaying Society. I love to play tabletop roleplaying games, like Dungeons and Dragons. I was unsure that I’d be able to play in Edinburgh, as it takes a group of people who can meet regularly. Those who play D&D know that it can be a challenge to organise sessions, even when you’ve known people for years.
GEAS meets twice a week and they organise other events throughout the semester, like Conpulsion – which is just a few weekends from now! I’ve been running a weekly game every Wednesday since September. The friends I’ve made at GEAS are in a bunch of different schools. I’m in the History MSc programme, one of my players does robotics, another does biology, and I’m playing with a History undergraduate student!
Last semester I was playing with someone who was on their Erasmus exchange, and we’ve been able to keep in contact with her after she’s gone back home to Norway. It’s been so fun to get to be myself every week and keep up with a hobby that I never thought I would translate across the Atlantic.
Me, GM’ing at a session for GEAS!
History Society
After getting started with GEAS, the next society I joined was the Edinburgh University History Society. The History Society is an interest group for both students who are in the history degree programme, but also just those who are interested in history. I ran for and was appointed as the Postgraduate Representative.
The History Society Committee meets every Monday and we plan events for those in the society, and those in the degree programme even if they aren’t society members, at the undergraduate and graduate level. I work closely with the other postgraduate representative, who has become a really close friend of mine.
Our favourite thing to organise is pub socials for the postgrads, as it’s one of the few times we are able to get together outside of class as a big group! Being part of the history society has made me feel a lot closer to those in my degree programme, as I have an excuse to talk to them about how they’re feeling and what kind of events they’d like to go to! Plus, members of my cohort come up to me and make requests for society events. I can’t recommend this kind of society enough.
I’m really excited about April, as we have our society ball coming up. Being a student from the US, I’ve never been to a ball before, and I rarely have an excuse to wear a nice dress. Not only am I connecting with the people in my cohort, but I’m also getting to feel fancy in a way I never have before.
From left to right: Abbie, Me, Madison, Nyah, and Olivia! All friends of mine from the History Society at our winter ceilidh!
Scottish Brewing Archive Association
The last society I’ve joined in Edinburgh is one that isn’t affiliated with the university. I’m a student member of the Scottish Brewing Archive Association (SBAA). It’s an association that raises money for the Scottish Brewing Archive, which is a collection of historical brewing artifacts from across Scotland’s history, maintained by the University of Glasgow.
The Archive has helped create things like the Tennent’s Brewing Experience at the Tennent’s Brewery in Glasgow. I’ve met so many cool people through the SBAA, who have been working in brewing in Scotland for decades. I’ve even gotten to connect the SBAA with the History Society!
A few weeks ago, I hosted a talk by the SBAA president for the History Society on brewing history in Edinburgh. It was so rewarding to combine my interests and connect societies across the city.
Me, hosting the SBAA for the history society!
Making friends
In the end, I shouldn’t have been worried about making friends in Edinburgh. Even though I’m an international student and a postgrad, through joining societies, I’ve become more connected to the University and to Edinburgh at large.
I have made friends in my cohort, across the colleges, and with people whose careers I admire. If you’re worried about making friends as either an international student or a postgrad, I wouldn’t worry. There’s so many opportunities for growth and making friends, that I never needed to worry about it. Plus, I go to so many meetings each week, sometimes I’m a little overwhelmed.
There’s a society for everyone in Edinburgh, both through the Edinburgh University Student Association (EUSA) and outside of it.
There’s a society for people to watch bad films, to learn swing dance, and so many more. Especially if you’re worried about missing home, there’s societies for being an international student from different countries. Don’t let anxieties hold you back from a place as cool as Edinburgh. It can be lonely sometimes, but there’s a place for you here!
Discover more blogs about societies at Edinburgh
Why joining societies is worth it
Exploring societies at the University of Edinburgh
Want to find out more?
Edinburgh University Students’ Association
