The importance of societies in university

When away from home, students will feel alone, disconnected and lonely from family, environment and religion.

Societies such as the Indian Society at the University of Kent are mightily important when wanting to reconnect with like-minded people.

I spoke to Ricky Gohil, a member of the Indian Society, who speaks on the importance of societies like these, the family feel it provides and how the society allows him to reconnect with his roots.

“Sometimes, when I am away from home, I do feel disconnected from my culture since I don’t have my family here but with the society, I feel like they are my brothers and sisters and I’m able to rediscover who I am.”

The Indian Society hosted their very own Diwali celebration last month that Mr Gohil attended the festival and he spoke of his experience of it.

“It was exciting and it was definitely a different experience to how I usually do it at home. It felt quite good to share this experience with people in the same boat as you in university and are like-minded to yourself.”

Diwali can have a special meaning to each individual and Mr Gohil told me what Diwali personally means to him.

“For me, it’s all about family and spending time with the family members I don’t get to see much. It’s always nice to spend time with them and doing the Punjab prayer and the Rangoli patterns is fun.

“It’s just a nice atmosphere and festivals like Diwali make you realise what is important in life.”