Starting a society and RA updates

This was partly the reason why I applied to be a Resident Assistant – a position that I got and that’s been keeping me busy since the start of September. For those interested in the RA role, which I outlined and explained the application process for in my previous blog post, it is definitely worth the effort you put into it. Yes, you do have to sacrifice a week of your summer holiday to attend all the necessary training, but it is a valuable bonding time with your new team and you get to have the entire flat, if not the building for yourself for a week. The most challenging time for me as an RA was understandably the Welcome Week, which was packed full of welcoming activities, parties and questions from residents. However, after the Welcome Week, things have been steady with regular meetings, office hour and duty days approximately every 10 days and of course, organising two to three events per month. The events are really the core of what RAs do and they are also the most enjoyable part! This month, I’m organising a trip to Edinburgh Blood Donor Centre to donate blood alongside our residents as well as sushi cooking class and visit of Edinburgh Castle. If you’re thinking about your second-year accommodation, I would greatly recommend looking at your Resident Assistant options!

 
The second exciting thing by which I’m getting involved in the local community this year is helping to start a new society under the Edinburgh Student Association. The society is called Girl Up Edinburgh Campus, and will serve a supporting role of the UN Foundation Campaign Girl Up, which has been active since 2010. Although Girl Up has been around for seven years, there are only three clubs in Europe supporting it and no club in Scotland, making us the first one. The Girl Up project focuses on empowering girls in developing countries by working with girls and women to take action. I’m on the committee as a Public Relations Officer, so get ready to hear from me about our events on all social media!