Today, GħSL held their Annual General Meeting as the 2016-2017 Executive’s term came to an end. The Third Eye team, spoke to Jacob Portelli, who served as President of this faculty based organisation, about the memories, challenges and the experience of being an active student at University.
What is your is your advice to those who are hesitant whether to involve themselves in student activism?
“Without a hint of a doubt I have and will definitely continue to promote student activism and I encourage everyone to involve themselves in Student Organisations or any other form that is involved in this type of student activism. We cannot restrict ourselves to simply attending lectures and sitting for exams but rather you must learn new things, meet new people and share experiences with our fellow peers. All this can be achieved through participating in student organisations in whatever capacity. So I urge all students that may be hesitant or think that they do not have the time, to look past these doubts and take the step forward and involve themselves! Trust me, the experiences and things you learn will not only help you in your studies but also outside the walls of University and in life!”
What are your emotions now that your experience in GħSL is drawing towards the end?
“To be honest I am still trying to come to terms with it. I have been involved in GħSL since first year so I do not really know University without the organisation. Despite this being my final involvement in the executive I will without a doubt continue to help in this incredible organisation that has given me so much! Ultimately I am happy and confident to look back on the work done, know that I gave it my all and that I was present in this journey and witnessed GħSL develop into what it has become today!”
What is your best memory in GħSL?
“Quite a hard question to answer. I have experienced so much with this team and the past executives that it is hard to narrow down to one best memory. However, a few moments that I will never forget would have to include Il Ballo Dei Signori having everyone sing Xemx together with Winter Moods. Another memory that I will cherish and which for sure gave me a reward like no other is having students approach you and thank you for being there for them since the very start. One last memory would definitely be when we held the GħSL committee drinks seeing almost a hundred members in different groups, interacting, conversing and having a drink together was truly a heartfelt moment in my time in GħSL.”
Who is the person that you will be missing the most from all the past executives?
“Having been involved with so many people working in GħSL is quite hard to narrow down to one person. The beauty of GħSL is that over the past few years we have truly built a community and a sense of second family so I am sure that we will all still be in contact and remain involved in the organisation as well as outside of it. I do however take this moment to thank my predecessors and friends who introduced me to this wonderful organisation – Dirk, Francesco and Patrick and I extend this to all the team and members with whom I shared so much memories! Thank you! “