Mahmood Alabdulla
Getting Involved in Clubs & Societies by Mahmood Alabdulla
Hey everyone! My name is Mahmood, and I'm a 1st Year Medicine student from Iraq. I'm going to take you through the clubs and societies experience at RCSI Bahrain and how to get involved! When I joined RCSI Bahrain, I had little experience with clubs and societies, so the process of getting involved in them was slightly unclear to me. How do I join the clubs I’m interested in? Would it be a big time commitment, and would it affect my studies? I had a lot of questions, but they were all cleared up during the annual Clubs and Societies Fair, where I got to see the booth for each club and society, meet the team, sign up to stay updated on their events, or apply to join the team. I signed up for many, and ended up joining two societies, where I took on the role of events officer. One of the first things I did was help run a fundraiser selling 3D-printed figurines for charity, and since then, I’ve taken on more roles, met many people, and had a lot of fun!
The clubs and societies at RCSI Bahrain cover a wide range, from academic and sports to arts, so the events vary quite a bit. Some offer hands-on practical sessions with limited spots, while others are open events like competitions and gatherings. Some are geared to support students in their studies, while others give them a well-deserved break to enjoy.
If you’re thinking about getting involved, here are two tips. First, don’t miss the C&S Fair! It’s a fun event that gives you the chance to explore everything in one place. Second, don’t overthink it. If you’re worried about time management or feeling inexperienced, just give it a try and join one or two societies that you’re interested in. Getting involved helped me improve my teamwork and time management skills, and it could do the same for you! And if you’re just curious, you can always sign up to receive updates from the societies you like, you’ve got nothing to lose.
I hope this gave you a better idea of what clubs and societies look like at RCSI Bahrain. If you want to find out more, many societies have public Instagram pages you can check out!