SOAS’s New Societies for this Year
'There are three exciting and unique societies, brand new to SOAS and taking on new members.'
Ciara Ladd, BA International Relations and Arabic 28/10/2024
Now that the fun (and chaos) of Welcome Week is long over and you’re settled into your class routine, joining another society might be at the very back of your mind, but if you can make room in your schedule, there are three exciting and unique societies, brand new to SOAS and taking on new members!
If you are a former state school pupil then the 93% Club is the place for you, regardless of what you’re studying. The UK’s least-exclusive members’ club has arrived at SOAS for the 2024 academic year, and all state-schoolers are cordially invited. The society has two main goals: creating a community for state-educated students to support and uplift one another, and fostering connections and opportunities with a range of employers to help you get the most out of your education. They will be hosting socials and events featuring leading employers to help you network and access your dream career. One of their main goals this year is to work with as many industries as possible. Whether you’re hoping to break into finance, diplomacy, law or the creative industries, the 93% club will be there to support you. The society is completely free to join, and you can sign up with just a few clicks on the SOAS SU website; follow their Instagram (@93soas) and join the WhatsApp group to stay updated on upcoming events!
Global Brigades is the perfect place to get into the sometimes daunting and ethically fraught world of volunteering. It's a platform where you can work with like-minded students who are dedicated to a community centred approach. Additionally, Global Brigades is a nonprofit organisation committed to a holistic, self-sustaining approach to charity, with all money raised going directly to helping disadvantaged communities; no volunteer tourism here. They are organising a brigade to Honduras in summer 2025, helping to make justice accessible for communities with extremely limited and expensive legal representation. However, you don’t need a legal background to get involved; in fact, no experience is needed, just a humanitarian spirit and a bit of enthusiasm! It’s also no problem if you’re not able to make it on the brigade itself, as people who are interested in fundraising and organising are also more than welcome. If you’re curious, the GB committee will be holding an information evening on the 28th of October to answer any questions about the fundraising and the brigade itself. You can reach out to them on Instagram (@soasglobalbrigades) or join the whatsapp community.
Maybe you fancy a glass of wine after a long day of studying? Well, now there’s a society for that too! The Grapevine is reframing wine appreciation in a way that’s open to all SOASians. There’s no need to feel intimidated if you’re a complete beginner; the Grapevine’s mission is to make wine culture accessible and create a welcoming environment for everyone. Tastings will be beginner friendly, affordable and guided by a professional sommelier so, if you’ve ever been curious about wine, this is a perfect way to scope it out. True to the SOAS mission, they will be decanting wines and decentring the west, highlighting delicious wines and fascinating wine cultures from the Global South. Join for events such as a South African wine tasting, where the society will be sampling delectable wines and exploring the impacts of the apartheid regime on the country’s wine industry and culture. Membership is completely free and, while tasting events will be ticketed, the Grapevine society is committed to keeping prices low to fit everyone’s budget. For a fusion of education, appreciation and community, head to their Instagram (@soaswine) or sign up for free on the SU website.
