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...

I'm surprised at the amount of comments saying "go for it, they will love someone from another background joining in."

I've always been under the impression that people from Asian (Indian, Pakistani, etc) backgrounds prefer to stick together, and tend to "other" people from different races. So for that reason if it was me, I'd personally feel quite awkward being one of the few non-Asians there.

They might be polite to your face, but wondering why you're there behind your back.

OP I would just do this seriously. If they say all are welcome then all are and I bet the food at their events will be bloody amazing.

I've always been under the impression that people from Asian (Indian, Pakistani, etc) backgrounds prefer to stick together, and tend to "other" people from different races.

Wow.

Racist. You're saying that Asian people are duplicitous and liars.

Bloody Hell

Obviously not all. But having grown up in a very diverse area my (and a lot of other peoples!) observation is that they tend to prefer sticking with people of their own culture and heritage 🤷 Not saying there's anything wrong with that.

There is so much to unpack there @Grandeur it’s practically a branch of Ikea. Worth a quiet think about othering, the forms it might take, the various ways it can look?

I did end up going to tonight's event :)

The President made me feel really welcome, her White-British boyfriend came along so I wasn't the only one. My race was barely acknowledged beyond the odd joke (e.g. me and the boyfriend were sitting close to some super hot lights and the President said of course the ones not built for heat are getting hot). Everyone spoke to me the exact same way as fellow Pakistanis.

I didn't really ask questions about Pakistan but learned some interesting things from hearing other people talk. Was one of those atmospheres where you can sort of switch between conversations and no one minds. Lots knew my friend too when I mentioned her so there's that link established. I'd say 95% of everything said was in English, very little Urdu/Punjabi.

I don't need a quiet think, thank you. I've witnessed the othering first-hand many times 🤷 Not saying it's exclusive to that particular demographic or that they all do it, but without going into detail, I have seen it first-hand on many occasions. Thanks for your input though!

I should clarify we went to a shisha place.

Mumsnet is obsessed with “safe spaces”

I do not think some of the commenters here have experience of these sort of uni societies. They are not usually safe space style environments to talk of direct challenges etc, but cultural and social gatherings, parties and outings.

i think it’s fine and I’m glad you enjoyed it.