Letter to the Editor: KPU African students club encourages dialogue on African culture
Socially committed students at Kwantlen Polytechnic University launched the Students of Caribbean and African Descent (SOCA) Club to provide support and lobbying services for students from Africa and create profiles about the region for the university community.
Africa is an important cultural, social, and political region in the world with a population of about 1.5 billion as of last year. Of this, the continent boasts a youth population of over 400 million.
The region is struck by climate change challenges such as drought, flooding, and food insecurity that require urgent African and global action.
The club understands the importance of embracing and celebrating diverse cultural backgrounds within the KPU student community and consists of capable individuals ready to lead and set the pace for intercultural progress.
The club’s members believe that in unity, they can move mountains. As a social community and university space, building relationships and providing support and direction to new immigrants is incredibly important to KPU SOCA.
SOCA is dedicated to supporting new students who have recently immigrated to Canada for post-secondary education. Navigating university life in a new country can be challenging, and many students make mistakes due to a lack of knowledge. Our club aims to educate members on how to succeed in university and have fun while doing it.
Research shows that fostering a sense of belonging and community is often an essential part of academic success for students. By acknowledging the cultural and societal differences we have at KPU, SOCA understands the importance of building a multicultural society and gives a space for all students to grow and contribute their skills to the wider community.
Often, international students neglect their own culture as they try to adapt to a new one. However, SOCA believes that cultural diversity is something to be celebrated and helps promote cultural awareness and pride. Through holding events and promoting cultural education, SOCA advocates for a more inclusive environment at the university.
Building a support system is also SOCA’s earnest priority. We put in the effort to provide peer support to our club members, KPU students, and faculty. We also guide students academically, socially, and professionally to create a safe space for them to share their experiences and learn from each other, fostering a strong support system for everyone.
Additionally, SOCA encourages members to participate in club activities and believes that getting involved in the KPU university community is essential to having a well-rounded university experience. While many African students may feel hesitant to join clubs due to concerns about fitting in, we aim to connect our members with other clubs through promoting participation and comfortable interaction.
Knowledge builds understanding and peace. As the great French philosopher Charles Montesquieu famously said, “Peace is the natural effect of trade.”
Peace also comes with learning, travel, globalization, and cultural understanding. KPU along with SOCA can contribute to these laudatory goals and be at the forefront of promoting understanding and peace.
