Student clubs are an inherent part of any university's life. They make students' life more varied and lively, bring them a unique experience and cultivate their communication skills. Another great advantage of the clubs is the fact that they bring together students with common interests. Masaryk University is a base for a few tens of such clubs, the majority of which admit international students as well.
A student choir, medical students' club, a student radio, or a theatre club. Anyone who considers joining any student club has a wide range of choice. Enrolment of new members is commonly held at the beginning of a new academic year or of a spring semester. And even though Czech and Slovak members prevail, other nationalities are also welcome.
Mimsa
Students from all around the world who study medicine at MU are associated to Mimsa. Masaryk International Medical Students Association bridges other local international associations and in this way helps international medical students adapt to a new country and its environment. Thanks to Mimsa, international students stay aware of what the requirements for individual courses are, how demanding a certain lecturer is, and can get assistance during the exam period. On top of all that, Mimsa creates a community of students who spend time together at cultural, sport, recreational and other events.
English theatre and student radio programmes
The Gypsywood Player theatre club has the longest tradition of all MU clubs: this year it celebrated its 50th anniversary. Altogether it performed over 40 stage plays in English, including Animal Farm or My Fair Lady. Most of the actors are recruited from the English language departments; however, anyone who speaks English can join in.
Another theatre (called Profidivadlo) is based at the Faculty of Informatics and - unlike The Gypsywood Player - only performs in Czech. Yet even they can take part - by assisting with the stage lighting, making costumes and sceneries, or composing music.
Those who consider pursuing journalism can approach Halas - a journal of students of the Faculty of Social Sciences. As the chief-editor Adéla Skoupá says, they welcome any opportunity to enrich the magazine with texts in foreign languages: “We take pride in the fact that we are a trilingual journal containing articles in Czech, Slovak and English. However, we would be pleased to extend our language portfolio with other languages, too.”
The students' Radio R also offers programmes in foreign languages. “International presenters are more than welcome in our radio - they have to take part in a casting, though. Examples of foreign programmes we broadcasted this year are Kitchen Sink or Teddy diabolic adrenaline,” says Martin Turek, PR Manager of the radio.
Learn to work in a team
An interesting experience of arranging various international projects is provided by a club called Be International. It allows students to travel to various foreign countries for up to 10 days to take part in an informal course full of games and contests.
Accommodation and meals are free, students cover 30 % of their travel expenses.
One of the students who have joined the Be International team is David Inashvili from Georgia. David arrived for an internship in September and what he appreciates about his experience with the project is that “one acquires responsibility and teamwork - which are both especially important these days.”
Help the others
When you get a bit more experienced, you can help the International Student Club in assisting the newly arrived international students during their first days or weeks in Brno. “Our members also participate in organising various cultural events and trips. They have an opportunity to get involved in our club's promotional activities and learn something new,” says Martin Zikuška, vice-president of the ISC.
In case you have an interest in philantropy, The Mission of Hope is the right club for you. Help children in hospitals, animals in shelters, or give remedial lessons to children in children's homes. It will be truly appreciated.