Beneficial reasons why international students should join a dance ensemble
SPEAKING with members of Melbourne University’s dance ensemble ‘Flare’, Trinity College Foundation Studies (TCFS) students Jacqueline Xin Lo, Selma Saiqing Miao, Kokoro Kanesugi look at the benefits students can get from dance.
From Flare Dance Ensemble’s 2014 show, Breaking Barriers. Photo: Yogi Pratama Khosugi
Some destress by playing video games, others do it by eating heaps of food. But for those who like to work up a sweat and be active, the best way to maintain both good health and internal conditioning is by participating in dance.
For some students at TCFS, being part of a dance ensemble like Flare gives them the outlet to destress, stay fit and engage in physical activity at the same time.
Run by students from the University of Melbourne, the dance ensemble is made up of students from several universities, including that of TCFS, and allows students to pick up on a wide variety of dancing styles including Latin, K-Pop, Hip-Hop, breakdancing and more.
Speaking to TCFS students Auriel and Michelle, we asked them about their experience in the dance ensemble and why they think joining would be beneficial for international students.
Affordability
Joining dancing clubs can be relatively affordable for students according to Auriel. She says that students can “sign up as a member for only $25” at Flare and the time of joining, she felt it was “a pretty good deal”.
The $25 charge to join as a member covers students for an entire year where they can join in on all the casual classes, learn various types of dance and most importantly, stay fit and healthy. Who needs a gym when you have the power of dance?
Atmosphere
Photo: Jacqueline Xin Lo
By joining the club, Auriel says students can learn “in a relaxed environment”. Michelle agrees and adds that “everyone at Flare is really friendly and you will want to go for all the casual classes”.
Fostering a warm and nurturing learning environment, members are made to feel like they are at home and become parts of a collective family.
Social incentives
As a club, students are encouraged to use Flare as means to socialise, meet new people and potentially make new friends. For new international students who might not have too many friends on campus, joining a club is a good way to build connections with other students in a similar situation, as well as those with a bit of seniority over you.
Flare is a big dancing group with loads of university students from different schools; being able to meet different people will only add to your experience as an overseas student here in Melbourne.
This story was produced by Media and Communication students at Trinity College Foundation Studies as part of Meld’s community newsroom collab. Education institutions, student clubs/societies and community groups interested in being involved can get in touch us via meld@meldmagazine.com.au.