Published: Feb. 5, 2024

Developing friendships in college can benefit your student’s quality of life and create more opportunities to them have fun and develop a sense of belonging. One way your student can make friends this semester is to get involved and find people with similar interests and passions. CU Boulder offers many programs, organizations and other ways to connect and build relationships. 

Here are a variety of interests your student can explore. They can also check out other ways to meet Buffs with similiar hobbies for more ideas to get involved and meet people. 

Travel

Does your student love to travel, explore new cities or learn about new cultures? CU Boulder offers ways to travel during college based on their interests. There are options for different budgets and timeframes. 

  • The Education Abroad program includes hundreds of programs across the globe, with options ranging from two weeks to entire semesters. Explore programs. 
  • Students can join a student organization with opportunities to travel. Whether they enjoy sports, outdoor adventure, performing arts or comedy, many student orgs on campus travel to compete, perform or volunteer. 
  • Outdoor Pursuits offers resources to help students plan their next adventure, including personalized recommendations, camping meal ideas, equipment rentals and guidebooks. 

Food and cooking

Is your student a foodie who loves to try new cuisines, or do they love to cook and master recipes? They can connect with fellow food lovers to dine or learn new cooking skills. 

  • Students can sign up to attend Ralphie’s Cooking Basics. This free cooking class teaches how to prepare a new recipe or apply new culinary skills. 
  • Students can join a student organization focused on food like Cooking Through Cultures, CU Cooking Club or Food Not Bombs.  
  • An on-campus job in Campus Dining Services offers students a way to earn money while working in food service. 
  • Students can volunteer to serve others in need of food assistance through the Buff Pantry.

Skiing and hiking

Colorado is known for its outstanding skiing and hiking locations. If your student loves to get outdoors and be active, there are countless ways they can get involved and meet new people. 

  • Students can sign up for a day or overnight hiking or backpacking trip through Outdoor Pursuits. 
  • The Ski Bus takes students to different resorts on the Ikon Pass to ski on select Saturdays this spring. 
  • Students can join a student organization focused on skiing or hiking like Boulder Freeride, Backcountry Club at CU or Hiking Club at CU. 

Music

Whether your student enjoys singing, playing an instrument, checking out the latest band or taking in a classical music performance, there are opportunities to explore musical interests at CU Boulder. 

Gaming

CU Boulder has an extensive gaming community with gamers at various levels. Your student can find a gaming community here, from competitive esports to casual games with friends. 

Community service

Does your student love serving others or promoting their passion for a specific cause? CU Boulder offers students many ways to make a difference and support the campus and Boulder communities. 

  • Students can check out the Volunteer Resource Center (VRC) for opportunities to volunteer on campus or in the local community. The VRC offers one-time, short-term, long-term and group projects. 
  • Students can join a student organization focused on community service like Be the Match on Campus, Collar Scholars or Project Kind.   
  • Students can explore student leadership opportunities where they can influence change and make a difference for the campus community.

Connecting with others and building relationships can add value to your student’s college experience. The Center for Student Involvement aims to help students succeed and grow within a vibrant campus community.  

Students can also take the Involvement Quiz to learn about more on-campus opportunities that match their interests.  

Your student can check out BuffConnect to explore student organizations or start their own. The events calendar lists upcoming events of all kinds to help students find more ways to get involved. 

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