CONGRATULATIONS to ArabSoc for winning Society of the Month for April. Here's what they had to say about the event they ran that bagged them the award.
#1 What was the objective of your event?
Arabsoc has held several events since we started last year. Our most popular events were when we started off our academic year by inviting all our members to a meet and greet bonfire by the beach. The aim of this was for our new members that had signed up from fresher’s fair to come along and all get introduced to one another. The aim was for our members to make new friends, learn more about our society and for everyone to enjoy themselves with the fire going to provide warmth and music playing in the background to ease people. It was a great success and we were delighted to hear good feedback. Another of our events that gave us rave reviews was our cultural night. This was a night filled with entertainment and the objective was for everyone to just enjoy themselves for a night away from uni stress. We wanted to do something different. This night included shisha for those who pleased and for those who are not fans there was a variety of Arab foods, dessert and soft drinks available along with Arabic music playing throughout the night. We also hired a belly dancer who got everyone hyped up and encouraged people to come a little out of their shells. This night was such a success and we had many requests to do it again. So, we did. This time we joined with the Greek society from Sussex who after hearing about our cultural night wanted to collaborate with us in hosting another. This event was MUCH bigger. A professional belly dancer, a tabla performer, a DJ, shisha, and of course an Arab favourite, in which no event would be a success without…humus and baklawa for people to snack on throughout the night. The objective of this event was to get everyone together again and see all our lovely members and provide them with a night where they would meet their friends, destress and enjoy.
The next event we wish to host will be something for us to give back. Our society has been a great success for a new society that only started up in 2015/2016. We are planning to use money raised from our events to organise a homeless run. This event is planned to take place hopefully this month before we all break for Easter hols and we will surely keep you posted.
#2 When did your event take place?
Our bonfire event took place in October. Cultural night in December. And our latest Arabian night took place 3rd march
#3 Where did your event take place?
Bonfire Night: Brighton seafront
Cultural Night: Levant Café and restaurant
Arabian Night: Al Duomo Restaurant
#4 How many people came?
Bonfire Night: 40 people
Cultural night: 70 people
Arabian Night: 200-300 people
#5 How did the attendees participate?
Everyone came with a great attitude and a desire to meet new people and socialise. They were a crucial part in the success of our events. They interacted well with another. A lot of people came early and help set up and lots of people brought props to decorate.
#6 What did you learn?
Arabsoc have learned to work together through a big community of people from various nationalities and backgrounds. We have also learned how to organise ourselves, our events, and to work together in challenging situations.
#7 How does your event benefit students?
It benefited lots of different students from different cultural backgrounds to come together and see/learn about the arab culture e.g. food, music, entertainment aspects. It is also hugely beneficial for students to get together and socialise in a warm, nice atmosphere that is welcoming and has a little something for everyone.