University life can bring a truckload of experiences with it — given that the student knows where to go in order to learn more than just some pre-organised, theoretical curriculum. Engaging in extra-curricular activities certainly makes university life more fun. It also helps thousands of students every year indirectly embrace team-work, discipline, hard work, flexibility, leadership and crisis management skills, hence prepare them to the practical hardships in life, which they will have to face when they graduate and start working. It also helps freshmen to break the ice and get to know people outside their usual circle of friends. Look for clubs that run under names like Freshmen Induction Programme and First-Year-Experience. Of course, the most popular activity or organised club in most universities is the Student Union which serves as a link between the High Board of the University and the students. It can be compared to a miniature People's Assembly with an elected president and members of parliament. Next on the list, there is the Model United Nations — a very popular simulation of the actual United Nations, which helps in gaining general knowledge, strengthening debate skills and solving international problems in politics, economy and human rights by diplomatic means. If one is looking for something more “local”, there is also the Model Arab League, which focuses on the problems in the Arab world. In Cairo University, there is a simulation of the Model European Union and Model American Congress. When looking at self-development, leadership programmes and societal development, there is of course the famous Students in Free Enterprise, International Student Leadership Conference and Alashanek Ya Balady. These clubs can be found in more than just one university. If a student is planning on travelling abroad and getting to know different cultures, the Association Internationale des Etudiants en Science Economique et Commerciale would be the perfect place for him/her. It helps students find temporary jobs abroad in all sorts of countries, and works on building sustainable growth in different societies. To excel in one's major, one can join various societies and clubs that help in developing the skills and knowledge needed for a certain field of study. For example, some universities hold stock market simulations, where students become stock brokers in an artificial environment for some days in order to get in touch with the practical world. The British University in Egypt is also known for its societies for architecture, chemical petroleum and mechanical engineering. Those interested in business and in understanding the stock market should watch out for a club called the Stock Market Simulation, where participants go head-to-head, trade stocks in a close-to-reality environment and experience the stress and guts it takes to buy stocks and bonds in the real world. If a student wants to be of use to society and make a difference in the lives of those in need, there are tonnes of clubs that work on charity-projects. Almost every university has at least one, although their names differ. There is also a club called Campaigners, which mainly focuses on environmental issues and how to solve them. Having some extra-curricular activities on one's CV has never hurt anyone — on the contrary, it shows that one is able to multitask and is ready for new experiences. Just make sure that you do not get wound up in too many clubs — they all require hard work, effort, dedication and time.
