There are a number of ways you can get involved with cultural clubs, opportunities, and events that celebrate and promote different cultures and traditions to help to broaden your understanding of the rich diversity around us. 

See below for some examples of ways in which you can get involved with cultural clubs and socieities, not just at Reading, but globally. 

Join our 'Global Study Lounge and International Student mailing list' to hear about cultural celebrations, activities, and events as they happen. 

 

[1] The University Grapevine's Culture Club

 

What is Culture Club?

Culture club is a FREE ten-week online cultural exchange programme between university students organised by The University Grapevine. It runs every year between October and December to connect students from all over the world. Take a look at their website or their Facebook page for more information.

Why should you join?

• This is a fun, low-stress and engaging project to learn more about other cultures from around the world, that results in long-lasting friendships!
• It’s a sustainable and very diverse global experience. You aren’t just paired from two locations. You will interact globally - exchanging multiple cultures, viewpoints, language(s) and language varieties.
• Participants receive a course completion certificate to share on their online profiles and CV helping you to stand out in the competitive job market.
• You can also use your participation towards the RED Awards!

When does it take place?

Culture Club takes place once a year for ten weeks (Oct-Dec). Student applications MUST be received by October 1st!

The Culture Club usually meets on Mondays every 2 weeks at 08:30 – 09:30 UK time.

What do I need to take part?

All you need is access to a device with internet and a free Zoom account!

What should I do next?

1. Check the schedule on the website to make sure you are available to take part.
2. Apply via the application form on the website. There are a maximum of 200 participants, so don't wait too long to apply! NB: One application per student.
3. Attend the 5 zoom ‘parties’ in the schedule. Students who participate in at least 3 sessions will receive a course completion certificate.

If you have any questions about the Culture Club, or the application process and form, please contact the club's administrator, Robert, directly. 

You may wish to also check out the Global Study Lounge's own Online English Conversation Cafes that operates in a very similar way to this Global Culture Club! 

 

[2] Reading Students' Union Cultural, Faith, and Arts Societies

Societies at Reading are open to all and are either taught by professional teachers or are student-led, which makes for a wide variety of experiences and learning. With over 100 societies in Reading Students' Union, there is something for everyone. The students' union plays host to many different types of societies. See below for some examples of the range of societies on offer, opening intercultural and communicative experiences to you!

Societies often choose to run their events in the Global Study Lounge and, when they do, details will be included in our weekly newsletter so make sure you've joined the 'Global Study Lounge and International Student mailing list'.

Often events are for members only, but societies do run events, especially for big cultural celebrations, where there is either no charge (i.e., its FREE!) or a guest/associate member price.

• Amnesty International [@uoramnestyinternational] 
• Afro-Caribbean Society [@ReadingACS]
• Arab Society [@arsocreading]
• Association of British and Chinese University Students [@uorabacus]
• Ballroom and Latin [@reading.rubls]
• Bhakti Yoga Society
• Black Girls Space [@bgsrdg]
• Book Society [@uorbooksociety]
• Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Society [@uorbjj]
• Buddy Up! [@buddyup_uor]
• Central Asian Society [@uor.cas]
• Desi Society [@readingdesisoc]
• Effective Altruism Society [@eas_uor]
• Environmental Conservation
• Filipino Society [@uorfilsoc]
• Film Society [@readingunifilmsociety]
• Fine Art Society [@ru.fineart]
• International Society [@Internationalsreading]
• Italian Society [@italiansocietyuor]
• Japanese Society [@uorjpn] 
• Jordanian Society
• Knitting and Crochet Society [@uor_knitxcrochet]
• LGBT+ Society [@lgbtreading]
• Nepalese Society [@uornepsoc]
• North African Society [@readingnasoc] 
• Pakistani Society [@uorpaksociety]
• Photography Society [@uorphotographysoc]
• Polish Society
• Pop Culture Society [@popculturesociety.uor]
• Reading Glee and A Capella Society [@weareraca]
• Reading University Drama Society [@ruds_drama]
• Reading University Malaysian Society [@ru_msoc]
• Reading University Music Society [@rumstagrams]
• Reading University Nigerian Society
• Reading University Society for Arts and Crafts [@RUSACSociety]
• Romanian and Moldovan Society [@uor.romania.moldova]
• Russian Speakers Society [@ru_rss]
• Salsa Society [@readingunisalsasoc]
• Spanish and Latin American Society [@uor_slas]
• Swing Dance Society [@rulindyhoppers]
• Tamil and Mallu Society [@reading_tamilxmallusoc]
• The Languages Society [@uor.languages_society]
• Third Culture Kids Society [@uortcks]
• Travel Society
• Turkish Society [@turkishsociety_rusu] 
• Ukranian Society [@uor.ukraine] 
• WaterAid [@wateraiduor]
• Welsh Society [@uorwelshsoc] 

Please note the above is not an exhaustive list. See a full list of societies available at Reading. 

 

[3] Department for Languages and Cultures and 'Languages for All' Clubs and Events

 

The department for Languages and Cultures and Languages for All often runs events and activities, or host clubs, with a specific cultural or linguistic focus. One such club is the British Sign Language (BSL) club, see more information about this club in our Conversation Cafes page. 

The department and programmes host events all over campus, including within the Global Study Lounge. To be kept informed of when such events are happening, make sure you've joined the 'Global Study Lounge and International Student mailing list' or check out the department for Languages and Cultures 'News and Events' and Languages for All webpages.