What is SOAS like?

What is SOAS like as a place to study? Is it enjoyable. One person I heard said it was "rather dry full of armchair socialists that just knew the world would come to them". This seems a rather vague and sweeping statement, but to anyone who goes there, does this describe SOAS? I have seen how SOAS is a melting pot full of cultures from around the world, but what is it like as a day to day experience?

Reply 1

Socrates

17

It is a vibrant place, like most London universities. It is left leaning and socialists with regards to the student union though.

Reply 2

BovineBeast

Socrates

It is a vibrant place, like most London universities. It is left leaning and socialists with regards to the student union though.

Intelligent, well considered left-wing, or kneejerk thoughtless left-wing? I mean, I'd describe myself as left-wing, maybe even socialist, but a lot of left-wingers I meet are left-wing because it's the cool thing to be.

Reply 3

JakeR

1

hahaha, it's funny how she asks what SOAS is like and if it's fun and all you guys bring up in people's political views

Reply 4

Socrates

17

SOAS is a pretty political place.

In response to your question BB, there are both types. I tend to stay away from the latter. :biggrin:

Reply 5

fundamentally

15

Eien

What is SOAS like as a place to study? Is it enjoyable.

I hear that they really like cannabis. :frown:

Reply 6

Exoskeletal

1

JakeR

hahaha, it's funny how she asks what SOAS is like and if it's fun and all you guys bring up in people's political views

He.

Reply 7

uthinkilltellu

14

fundamentally

I hear that they really like cannabis. :frown:

yeah....one of the reasons why its so popular....

its a microcosm of the world (i've read somewhere). the ppl in the reception were very good, so i like the place.

Reply 8

Eien

OP

16

JakeR

hahaha, it's funny how she asks what SOAS is like and if it's fun and all you guys bring up in people's political views

Lol, the avatar is not me...I wish lol, I'm a guy!

Well I'm more left than right wing, so that side shouldn't be a problem...although the cannabis smoking seems weird...is it true that a vast majority smoke it or is it some kind of humorous rumour?

Reply 9

Exoskeletal

1

students generally dabble in drugs of various kinds in my experience.
I don't see why dope smoking should be any more prevalent at soas than other unis.

I know i won't be smoking it though.

Reply 10

Socrates

17

Eien

Lol, the avatar is not me...I wish lol, I'm a guy!

Well I'm more left than right wing, so that side shouldn't be a problem...although the cannabis smoking seems weird...is it true that a vast majority smoke it or is it some kind of humorous rumour?

Nearly everyone smokes tobacco, and a good number of the smokers smoke weed too. I don't though. :biggrin:

Reply 11

BovineBeast

Socrates

Nearly everyone smokes tobacco, and a good number of the smokers smoke weed too. I don't though. :biggrin:

Why so many smokers?

Reply 12

Hard Boiled Cop

BovineBeast

Why so many smokers?

I don't have a clue but I really wish I did as a non-smoker. To me it seems that more overseas students than domestic students smoke, but this is a big generalisation obviously! Maybe its their own respective culture or something. I know loads of Japanese people that smoke at SOAS, but never really bothered asking why. Is it block D that Dinwiddy at is famous for being the 'smokers block' bar one Korean guy?

But nah, SOAS is a nice place despite loads of people smoking. Most people are chilled back, probably cos of the drugs...but its a nice environment, like the pub quiz nights in the SU bar, everyone's friendly and you can start conversations easily with random people.

And yeh, that guy's avatar is BoA! *drools*. And we're on University Challenge again tonight.