Desi Union Society creates a positive community for students from South Asian countries
GCU students from South Asia have come together to form the Desi Union Society, which brings together students from five different countries.
The Desi Union Society was created to develop a community between students from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal. As well as hosting events, the society has the aim to include a number of features to help students feel included while reminding them of home.
The society will also make a point of highlighting the importance of looking after your mental health, which is a topic that is often overlooked in South Asian countries.
Kranti Rai, Desi Union President, explained: “The term ‘Desi’ actually comes from a sort of slang or informal phrase which is used by people from South Asian countries – all known as ‘Desi’ people. It makes us all feel included and united.”
He added: “We always wanted to start a society that is more inclusive of all of the South Asian countries. We were initially part of the GISA Society, but that tends to focus on specifically India.
Although we all share very common traditions and culture, students from the other South Asian countries didn’t feel like they belonged so we wanted to create another society which could help them feel more included.”
As well as creating a community for South Asian students, the society wants to help sports become more accessible to it’s members.
“We really want to show that the society is open to everyone and to help make sports more accessible to students within GCU. The plan would be to at some point host some matches, within GCU and outside of it.” Explained Vice President Muhammad Bilal.
He added: “For example, during the summer we were invited to take part in a football match with the Nigerian Society, but due to timings we couldn’t go through with it. We’re hoping to start it up again and maybe invite other country-based societies to take part as well.”
Understanding the importance of community themselves, Kranti and Muhammad appreciate how societies like the Desi Union can make a huge difference to students when they first begin their journeys in a new country.
Kranti said: “Societies like these are fundamental, especially in regards to people’s mental health. It can be quite tough for international students to make friends straight away, so finding a group with people from home is a real comfort.
Muhammad added: “We want to try and remind them of home. It is a bit of a culture shock coming from a South Asian country to somewhere so different like Scotland; the climate and food spice levels especially!
Within the society, we also do what we can to help each other with things like finding jobs and advice around accommodation; especially as people who are more experienced with how it works here in Scotland. We also want to highlight ways to have a healthy diet here, and promoting the free water we have available here! Desi people sometimes stick to drinking soft drinks and energy drinks so we plan to encourage members to consider healthier options.”
Find out more about the Desi Union Society by checking out their Instagram page
By Rachael McAlonan
Got a SCEBE or GSBS story? Email me at Rachael.McAlonan@gcu.ac.uk or connect with me on social media