Cal Poly’s student body consists of a variety of cultures collected in a small beach town on the West Coast. On campus, cultural clubs create welcoming communities for so many students, and invite many to practice and respect traditions from all around the world. These clubs tie students to their culture and promote diversity on campus. This week, Her Campus interviewed some of the Cultural Clubs at SLO to understand their mission.Â
- What is the ultimate goal of your club?Â
Chinese Student Association: “The ultimate goal of the Chinese Student Association is to be a place of community where people can find a sense of home but also a place to learn more about Chinese culture and connect and make new personal bonds. We try to provide a home away from home by having events and programs that help connect people and make people feel more comfortable with their time here at college.”
- Why do you feel it is important to have your club on campus?
Thai Vietnamese Student Association: “We believe that giving a space for Thai and Vietnamese students is imperative since college is a very different environment, one that some students may feel much different from home. We strive to provide that home away from home especially since a big proportion of international students in Cal Poly are Vietnamese.”
- How does your club benefit Cal Poly’s student body?
Indian Student Association: “ I think our club benefits the student body because we are able to recognize the many interests of Indian culture as a whole through our events. This can make people feel more at home and/or allow them to learn something new and grow their cultural knowledge. ISA also has a large international student population so for students who have been celebrating all of these festivals/events since they’re very young, it allows them to have a home away from home.”Â
There are over 25 cultural clubs on campus, and they are open to all students at Cal Poly. The primary mission of these clubs is to create a home for students, and a safe space where they can practice their culture. College is a transitional time, and it is important to find a sustainable community. The cultural clubs on campus can create that family for you. Incoming students can find diverse spaces on campus that allow them to seek cultural resources and collaborate with students across campus. There are so many resource centers on campus, such as the Multicultural center or The Black Academic Excellence Center where students can receive academic or social support. Whether it’s at the Black Student Union, the Filipino Cultural Exchange, the Multiracial Student’s Association, the Armenian Student Association, or any group that connects with your background, Cal Poly has a space on our campus for you.