Picture this, the semester just started and you’re busy studying; until whispers of a familiar yet unexpected event reaches you: The Assembly Festival!

 

Despite its recent addition, the Assembly Festival (Otherwise known as “Club Fest”),has become a tradition in IUGB, that takes place at the beginning of each new semester. Each semester, assembly members come together to showcase their passions and invite others to join fun. It’s the perfect way to welcome new students, break the ice, and get them excited about extracurricular activities. It’s also a chance for returning students to discover and rediscover assemblies, engage in their passion, participate in events and simply spend quality time with their peers. 

But why have assemblies been such a prominent element of IUGB culture?

Assemblies are more than just about having fun (though that’s important too). The interesting thing about assemblies is how they shape part of the “hidden curriculum.” By bringing students together, each assembly creates a unique sense of belonging for its members. These sub-communities encourage students to express their creativity and develop valuable skills beyond the classroom. They’re a great way to step out of your comfort zone, socialize, and make new friends, which creates confidence overtime. Beyond self-discovery, each assembly helps you learn new skills and therefore prevents students from becoming one-dimensional and encourages growth in various areas. Boza Junias, the vice president of The Entrepreneurship assembly can attest to this : “Teaching others about entrepreneurship has improved my public speaking, communication, and leadership skills. It has also encouraged me to get more involved, meet new people, and gain recognition, while opening doors for new opportunities and networking.”

Our assemblies cater to nearly every hobby—whether you’re into sports, spirituality, movies, dancing, cooking, running a business, photo and video editing, runway walking, debating, or even charity, advocacy, and raising awareness. There’s an assembly for everyone, with activities like the Speech Assembly’s Hangman and Guess the Word, the U-Assembly’s charity events connecting students with communities in Grand-Bassam, and the She Assembly’s empowering initiatives, which also provide a safe space for both female and male students, to discuss mental health and personal issues. 

Even if you don’t want to participate, you can always tag along with friends and enjoy the fun. For instance, the Entrepreneurship and Finance Assembly’s Wall Street event supports small IUGB businesses while bringing everyone together to explore different stands. The Modeling Assembly’s runway shows never fail to excite, and the Dance and Music Assembly always steals the spotlight at every event. But all that doesn’t mean we can’t do more! For example, sporty assemblies tend to focus primarily on men, which leaves room for improvement and inclusivity. 

Assemblies are part of the social fabric of IUGB, which is why we dedicate a full event to them every semester. If you’re new and unsure where to start, the Assembly Festival just took place on Thursday, January 23rd, and it was the perfect opportunity to dive into exciting activities, meet like-minded people, and make lasting connections.

The Assembly Festival is more than just an event; it’s a celebration of the vibrant communities at IUGB. So don’t miss out—see you at the basketball court, where your next adventure can begin!