Growing student life on display at SIG fair
Student Government organized the Student Interest Group Fair in the Sama Dining Hall for the incoming class of 2017 on Aug. 31. The event featured ...
Sep 7, 2013
Student Government organized the Student Interest Group Fair in the Sama Dining Hall for the incoming class of 2017 on Aug. 31. The event featured around 45 different groups whose members all were eager to welcome the freshmen. The fair was an elaborate set up as all the dining hall tables were rearranged, all free boards were plastered with posters advertising various SIGs and toothsome treats were in abundance.
“I think [the fair] was a really nice idea to introduce the new students to what the NYU Abu Dhabi extracurricular life is all about,” said freshman Paulius Urbonas. “It was a really resourceful opportunity to interact personally with the SIGs rather than going onto NYU Classes or the Student Portal.”
All students, new and old, were enthusiastic about this interaction and large crowds gathered around several booths. The upperclassmen were in awe of how much the university had grown since their own freshman year and how much more is offered now.
“Every year is busier than the last and it is particularly exciting for a senior to witness the growth and expansion of the NYUAD community,” said senior Joshua Shirley, leader of the NYUAD Debate Society.
The class of 2017 was excited to see what the university had to offer and the students were, in some cases, over-eager to sign up for everything possible.
“I wish I could help freshmen understand that there is no way to grasp every opportunity, to make the most of every moment in this incredible environment,” said Shirley. “There are limits to how efficient you can be and limits to how happy you can be if you are focusing on efficiency alone, rather than the joy of the experience.”
Some of the most popular SIGs with numerous sign-ups were those who had advertised heavily prior to the fair, such as ADvocacy, Debate Society and Fencing. Despite the initially large sign-ups, the question remained of how many students were serious about their commitments and would actually turn up for the first meeting after the fair.
“We had just more than half of those who signed up at the SIG turn up for our first meeting. I was pleasantly surprised — I had expected only a quarter of our 60 or so new members to attend,” said Shirley.
The fair provided an opportunity for interclass bonding and chances for students to try new activities and engage with the community.
“I had never thought scuba diving would be something I would get to try at college,” said freshman Kamel AlSharif.
After successfully arranging this year’s SIG Fair, members of NYUAD's Student Government are already looking into new ways that they can improve the experience for the entire NYUAD community.
Sophomore Clara Correia, alternate senator for Student Government and coordinator for the SIGs, said she was interested in new ways of involving the other members of the community.
“Looking forward, we hope to be able to also invite faculty and staff for a part of the fair, so that they can also be aware of this aspect of the university life and perhaps even get involved in the interest groups,” she said.
Mitali Banerji is a contributing writer. Email her at thegazelle.org@gmail.com.
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