Founded in the Middle Ages in Italy following the establishment of universities, student associations are a focal point in the lives of young people attending university. Over the years, they have spread all over the world, especially within Anglo-Saxon countries where, through the active participation of students, they have specialised in various areas of interest, from politics to the environment, and even the Italian spirit, giving rise to Italian Student Societies.
The Student Union
In the United Kingdom, student associations – called the Student Union, university societies or student organisations – are non-profit organisations whose aim is to involve their members in the life of the university and its local town or city. Italian Societies emerged spontaneously and independently of these student representative groups, namely the Student Unions, and became a focal point for young Italians studying abroad and all other students interested in Italian culture.
By organising events, cultural gatherings and networking activities, Italian Societies represent a first port of call for the Italian student community and an opportunity to meet other young people, share their experiences, and mutually help and support one another. The whole thing is a celebration of Italianness, often involving themed events to which all students are invited: Italian, British and international.
The Italian Student Society Network
The Italian Student Society Network (ISSN) aims to encourage and organise the viewpoints of Italian students abroad, all the more so now in a post-Brexit UK.
Through ISSN, Italian Societies have already been able to organise many joint initiatives, including political debates, analyses and presentations on current issues and social events in London, thus stimulating interaction between institutions, companies and the Italian student body, and facilitating the dissemination of useful information for Italian students.
Most recently, for example, information and contact details were circulated regarding the Settlement Scheme, which allows people to remain in the UK post-Brexit. In addition, the network aspect has allowed students from one university to attend events at another, thus promoting an exchange of ideas and collectively extending the service provided by all Italian Societies.
Italian Societies and universities
All the best-known and most prestigious British universities are members of the ISSN:
- King’s College London
- London School of Economics and Political Sciences
- Imperial College London
- University College London
- Queen Mary University
- Westminster University
- Royal Holloway
- Brunel University
- SOAS
- University of Loughborough
- Cambridge University
- Oxford University
Habacus has found in ISSN a partner with whom we can support Italian students studying or wishing to study in the UK, especially in a post-Brexit environment where there is a lack of financial support for foreign students. Habacus supports the training of young people, including those outside Europe.
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