To join my uni's Pakistani Society even though I'm not Pakistani/Asian?

[Ahsoka2001]

I'm back at uni doing an MA for one year (straight after finishing undergrad, I'm 21) and wanted to join at least one society despite being very busy.

There's a few I tried in first year and didn't like (e.g. board games society only had niche games no one knew and not the classic ones) and the sports societies are all quite expensive.

In second year, I made friends with an amazing girl who had Pakistani heritage and in fact led the Pakistani society till she graduated last year. She was very proud of her culture and just knowing her has made me quite interested in learning more about the country/people. So I thought joining this society would be a nice way to do that and meet some new people. But would it be odd to do this as someone who's White British?

The website does say "This is not exclusively for Asian students, all are welcome" but I'm wondering if this is just a formality and in reality it would be a bit odd? Not sure...

Give it a try! Nothing to lose.

I know a Pakistani who joined in with the Korean society. It's all good. (And if it's not, then you'll find out soon enough)

I do wonder if it would be a bit odd if I’m honest. I think if you’d lived in an Asian country that would be enough of a link but having a Pakistani friend probably isn’t.

Facebook kept suggesting the ‘Professional Asian’ group to me (probably because I have a lot of friends with Indian heritage) but I didn’t join.

I should have said - I’m white british (which is why I decided against the Professional Asian group). I did mention to an Indian friend as a bit of a ‘Facebook don’t know me as well as they think they do’ and she said it would be fine to join. But I thought not.

I think it’s abit odd but YANBU to try, it does say not exclusively for Asian students

If they say its nor for exclusively Asian then its fine

Message them and ask? Could be a great way to learn about music, art, film, history etc of the culture.

I think there's a difference between joining it and joining in with the events. Ask your friend.

@Bournetilly @PeterPomegranate fair enough.

Are the courses and degree you have/are taken, and your likely work sphere going to be advantaged by this?

Why not?

Pakistani food is great, you may pick up some of the language Urdu or even Pashto if you're lucky and in my experience at least Pakistanis are very friendly, hardworking people (our neighbours are Pakistani so I may be biased :) )

If it's wrong for you, you'll pick that up quickly enough

@Trainbear I never thought societies are about benefitting your courses. I mean, they can be of course but if not then no big deal. I think it's more about meeting new people and having fun. At least that's what my uni's told me. Benefitting your future/course is what work experience is for, surely?

Approach the society and ask. You would be demonstrating some sensitivity instead of just turning up. Explain why you're interested.

@FuriousFurious well, to join you just fill out an online form and have the society added to your student union account. You could join every society the uni have and never attend a single event hahaha

@pattihews great idea, thanks.

Honestly Op I think it would be a really odd thing to do.

The Asian group is somewhere for people to discuss their own culture and family issues in their native language.

Must be plenty of other groups to join.

I don't see the problem. I'm from a different country and if someone from another country wanted to join a group based on my country because they are interested, I wouldn't have a problem.

@gnilliwdog this is true, film is a big one out of those for me, huge film fan and never seen Pakistani films. I actually work with a film society (outside the uni) who recently opened their own venue and are looking to work with uni societies. So I could arrange to show some Pakistani films at the venue with the society for example, benefitting both of us. This isn't exclusively my idea, my boss was telling me to go round suggesting this to societies at Freshers' fayre.

@Dinoteeth fairs.

I’m sorry I think you should let them have their space without a white person barging in.

Absolutely join!
University societies are generally open to everyone and it's a great way for students from different backgrounds to mix rather than just sticking to their specific cultural groups.

@PeekabooAtTheZoo would you be saying the same thing if a black African person wanted to join? Bearing in mind Pakistanis aren't really classed as black.

Wait so you want to exploit them as well? I have no words.

Yes this is a good idea. You’ll get a feel from how they respond whether it’s a genuine ‘yes please, we’d love you to come’ or an ‘mm ok, yeah sure’.

A bit try hard.