Sitting down with Mabubha, we got an insight of how the Bengali Student Association works at Ryerson University. A Business major who had immigrated to Canada from Bangladesh, Mahbuba always took an interest in taking part at different school functions, clubs, and groups. “I was always a friendly person, I could never be quiet, I loved to talk to anyone since I believe that is just the person I am”. “In high school there were a lot of academic groups and not cultural groups but I was a part of most of them, since my group of friends would join it so I would join it as well”.
Campus Caravan Ryerson just started a Bangladeshi Student Association (BSA) not too long ago, it was formed in 2003. Was it very necessary to have a Bengali Student Association, why not just collaborate with other cultural groups on campus? Mahbuba says that BSA was formed in order to bring together Beganli youth community, and to introduce Bengalis to seniors and the alumnus and to help them network. Among other goals was to showcase the Bengali culture to students and different school bodies.With 200 members, BSA has gained momentum and strength in Ryerson University. “Other universities have a lot of international students but I feel that we are strong according to our schools population,” says Mahbuba. Executive Team
Aside from keeping Bengali culture alive, BSA also helps Bengali students who are new to Ryerson to get them comfortable on campus.
The most famous BSA event on annual basis is the Alpona Contest. It is an art contest where we draw on the floor to create a path, but we do it on paper. We, then, have an artist come evaluate the art work.
Like every other university, the BSA is funded by their student union. “We are given a certain amount at the start of the year and if we need extra funds then we have to go to the community.” BSA holds a lot of charity events to help out the community which is why Mahbubha feels that the community is more open to their group when it is in need of funding. Aside from that BSA is also involved in raising money for schools in Bangladesh.
Inter Uni Soccer Tournament
Being a non-profit organization, Mabubha and her team uses their funds wisely. “We hold a formal every year and that is where most of our money goes to, so whatever we make from other events that are not tied to charities; we use it towards our formal.”
Aside from the cultural ties and values, BSA is there to help you out as a student. “We are there to help students out if they are experiencing problems, we try to hold seminars like the life of a teenager growing up in Canada, we know that it can be hard since our parents are trying to hold on to our culture and pass it on to us. Being citizens of two countries it is hard for most students,” says Mahbuba. Balancing everything out so that you do not disappoint your parents and peers is the solution to the problem.
Author:Hamesh Singh
