ISC GUY FAWKES NIGHT 05/11/10

"Remember, remember the 5th of November,

The gunpowder, treason and plot

I know of no reason

why the gunpowder treason

Should ever be forgot."

That's right. Guy Fawkes night - more commonly known as Fireworks night - is upon us. Come join us on a walk to the foot of Arthur's seat where you will have a splendid view of the fireworks! Leaving from the ISC at 19.30 on the 5th November, we will walk to the foot of the hill to watch!

Note: we will not be climbing Arthur's seat, as this is too dangerous to do by night.

Also, the ISC won't be providing any fireworks, but feel free to bring your own sparklers and as many people as possible! The more the merrier!!! Hope to see you there and don't forget your cameras!!

P.S. For Katy Perry fans who want to keep the fireworks going: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGJuMBdaqIw&ob=av2e (The ISC has no association with Katy Perry or her music, but the song title seemed appropriate)

ISC DUTCH NIGHT 08/11/10

Tickets for this event will be sold at the ISC on Wednesday, the 3rd November at 18.00 for £3 each.

A week after enjoying international games at the ISC (Monday 8th November), we go to the land of windmills, clogs, canals and stroopwafels ... Yes, you guessed it. Dutch night is here!

The evening will begin at 20.00. Twenty minutes will be put aside to allow you to arrive and settle down, then after a small introduction to the evening, take the time to mingle. Simultaneously, savour some Dutch drinks such as coffee, dubbelfris and Heineken along with a bite of cheese, pepernoten, licorice, and stroopwafels.

As the evening progresses, we shall quiz you about Holland to see how much you truly know about the culture of the Netherlands. Finally, we will end the evening with the movie 'Oorlogswinter' (Winter in Wartime).

Come and get your tickets quick!!

ISC EDINBURGH CASTLE TRIP 10/11/2010 & 17/11/2010 TICKET SALE UPDATE

TICKET SALE UPDATE:
The tickets for these visits to the Castle will be sold on Tuesday 2nd November, starting 18.30 at the ISC (22b Buccleuch street). There will be two stalls for each of the two days (10th Nov or 17th Nov). NO SEPARATE TICKET SALES. ONLY ONE DAY.

We have a total of 200 tickets for sale: 100 for each day, which is 50 for each time slot! (14.30 & 15.30)

ISC INTERNATIONAL GAMES NIGHT 01/11/10

This is a free event (no tickets to be sold).

As the old adage goes, “all work and no play make Jack a dull boy”. If you wish to brighten a dull Wednesday routine or just take a break from study, we will be playing international games right here at the ISC, on the 1^st November at 7.30p.m.

Traditional games from all four corners of the world will be set up. Drop in at any time and join in with the fun! Snacks will be provided!

Games that will definitely be available on the night are the following:

- Ludo (a popular, modern version of the Indian board game, Pachisi).

- Snakes and Ladders (traditional Indian board game adopted by the English and then later on by the Americans).

- 'Pin the tail on the donkey', a children’s game often played at birthday parties.

- Cribbage (traditional Innuit game)

- The Bone Game (A First Nations game)

- Le Bombou and Belote (French Card Games)

Pop by and have some fun at the ISC with the above games and many more!

STIRLING TRIP 30/10/10

FROM OUR TRIPS COORDINATOR:

Hey all,

First of all I'm sorry for those of you who wanted to come along but couldn't get a ticket last Monday, unfortunately, this time we can't provide a second bus for you. Sorry!
However, what we can do is get some more people into the castle for free. Stirling is easily and cheaply reached from Edinburgh by train - if you get an off-peak ticket, an open-return ticket should only cost you £8. So if you want, you can organise your transport to Stirling yourself and then join the ISC group at the castle.
**Please make sure you bring your Edinburgh University Matriculation Card and show it to the volunteers on saturday (Lydia and Samiko) so that they know that you are from the ISC!**

Potentially, we could take 50 people more into the castle so don't be afraid to come along if you don't mind getting there by train!

**The meeting times at the castle would be 11am & 12am**, so make sure you are there on time if you'd like to get in with the ISC.

Please note that we do NOT organise the train tickets for you, you should do that independently, and we can also NOT get you to the Wallace Monument alongside everyone else. Of course you are more than welcome to also come along, but you would have to find out yourself how to get there and back.
The only thing we can offer those who travel to Stirling independantly is free entry to the castle if they bring their Matriculation Cards and show it to the volunteers, who will be Lydia and Samiko.

If you decide to take this option, please post on the event wall (http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=170340826313021&ref=ts ) so we have an idea how many people to expect! Thank you :)

ISC This Week (25 - 31st Oct.)

Believe it or not, it's already more than half way through the semester! :O The thought of it is just too scary....
Anyway, please stay updated with what the ISC has to offer :)

Our Lounge is open every weekday during the semester - come over anytime for free coffee, tea and some sweet company!
The LOUNGE (ISC, 22b Buccleuch Place) open times are:

Monday,Wednesday, Thursday 12:00-16:00
Tuesday 12:00-18:00
Friday 12:00-15:00
(** Please note the change in our Lounge Open Times. We are no longer open until 18:00 on Thursday).


And now, the plan of the week:

Monday, 25th

TICKET SALE for TRIP to STIRLING 18:00- @ the ISC
We are heading to the historical town of Scotland, Stirling on Saturday, 30th. A ticket will cost you £7.00, which includes transportation, entrance to the Stirling Castle and lovely company. We will also be stopping at the Wallace Monument on our way back to Edinburgh, so that you can be proud of yourself for climbing up (or having stood right next to) the symbol of the place. Please bring cash ONLY and remember that we can only sell a maximum of 2 tickets per person. Details can be found at:
http://isced.blogspot.com/2010/10/isc-stirling-trip-301010.html

FRENCH NIGHT 22:00- @ the ISC
Be ready to immerse yourselves in the French culture! You are treated with wine, cheese, croissants, pain au chocolat...and this is only the beginning! At the end of the night, "Amelie" will be screened. Please remember that only those who have bought the tickets can join us on the night.
You can check the details by the following link:
http://isced.blogspot.com/2010/10/isc-french-night-251010.html

**Please also note that there will be no ticket sales on Wednesday for upcoming Events this week, as next Monday we will be having an International Games Night for FREE. Come over to try out games from all over the world you may have never played before :) Such include: Ludo, Snakes and Ldders, Cribbage, the Bone Game, Le Bombou and Belote and more and more! Further information will soon be posted !


Tuesday, 26th
COFFEE EVENING 16:00-18:00 @ the ISC
We have changed our weekly Coffee Evenings to Tuesdays! Pop in for a chat, we will have free coffee/tea along with biscuits and cheese ready for you. A great time and place to just mingle and relax from the workload!


Thursday, 28th

PUB NIGHT 21:00- @ the Greenmantle (44 Westcrosscauseway)
Gather around at the Greenmantle, just 5 min walk away from the ISC. They have some special deals with us including £1.75 for vodka mix, bottled beer, small wine as well as 30 % discounts for any food (served till midnight)! When you are ordering your drinks for these deals, make sure you mention that you are with the "ISC" otherwise you won't be benefiting from the deals.


Saturday, 30th

DAY TRIP to STIRLING
Do you want to travel around Scotland and northen England? Our Trips Committee organises day trips for every weekend during the semester. This Saturday we are heading to Stirling.
Further details available on:
http://isced.blogspot.com/2010/10/isc-stirling-trip-301010.html


Have a great Week 6 & hope to see you around the ISC!xx

P.S. If you would like to keep track of what we do here at the ISC, check out the blog entries with the EVENTS and TRIPS schedule for this semester!!!!

http://isced.blogspot.com/2010/10/events-semester-i-schedule.html

http://isced.blogspot.com/2010/10/trips-semester-i-schedule.html

ISC EDINBURGH CASTLE TRIP 10/11/2010 & 17/11/2010

Edinburgh Castle, the symbol of the city, looms over the Old Town, casting long shadows. Built on igneous rock, Its thick stone walls carry secrets from Edinburgh's dark and fascinating past.

A national symbol, the Castle is perched in between the Old Town and the New Town, and is definitely worth a visit. Even if you have already visited it, why not go again with the ISC?

We offer the visit for the BEST deal - £2.00!
Independent of the ISC, entrance to the Castle would cost £13.00 so you're saving £11.00 if you go with us and what more, you get lovely company!

We have two visits on two days, the 10th and the 17th of November (both Wednesdays) and are taking 50 people per departure at 14:30 and 15:30.

Details on ticket sales will be coming up soon so keep an eye out for them and make sure you keep either the 10th or the 17th free on your calendar!

EVENTS - Semester I Schedule

It's already the middle of the semester and we apologise for the delay, but here are the events we have organised so far and are in the process of organising until exam revision strikes us all. :)

Don't forget to write these down on your calendar!

2010-11 Semester I Events Schedule

Sept 20 (Mon): Poker Night

Sept 27 (Mon): Japanese Night

Oct 4 (Mon): Swedish Night

Oct 11 (Mon): North American Night

Oct 18 (Mon): Film Night

coming up...

Oct 25 (Mon): French Night

Nov 1 (Mon): International Games Night

Nov 5 (Fri): Guy Fawkes Night

Nov 8 (Mon): Dutch Night

Nov 15 (Mon): International Desserts Night

Nov 22 (Mon): Indian Night

Nov 29 (Mon): Scottish Night

Dec 6 (Mon): Games Night

See you at (at least) one of these events!!

TRIPS - Semester I Schedule

It's already the middle of the semester and we apologise for the delay, but here are the trips we have organised so far and are in the process of organising until exam revision strikes us all. :)

Don't forget to write these down on your calendar!

2010-11 Semester I Trips Schedule

Sept 18 (Sat): St. Andrews

Sept 25 (Sat): Lindisfarne & Berwick upon Tweed

Oct 2 (Sat): Culzean Castle & Country Park

Oct 9 (Sat): Linlithgow

Oct 16 (Sat): Rafting & Hiking Trip to the Highlands

Oct 23 (Sat): Whisky Trip to Aberfeldy (Dewar's Distillery)

coming up...

Oct 30 (Sat): Stirling

Nov 6-7 (Sat+Sun): Weekend Trip

Nov 13 (Sat): Loch Katrine

Nov 20 (Sat): New Castle

Nov 27 (Sat): North Berwick

Dec 4 (Sat): Glasgow Christmas Shopping

ISC STIRLING TRIP 30/10/10

Hi everyone!!

Another awesome ISC trip is coming up =)

Tickets are going to be £7 and will be sold on Monday, 25^th October at 6pm in the ISC (22b Buccleuch street).

On Saturday, 30^th October we will go to Stirling. Apart from being a lovely town with many opportunities for shopping and eating, Stirling also played an important part in Scottish history. It was called the key to Scotland because every one had to pass through if they wanted to go to the Highlands.

Come with us and visit the castle of Robert the Bruce and enjoy the view over the fields William Wallace fought on. There are many more things to see including the Church of the Holy Rude, the Old Town Jail, the Toolboth and the Smith Art Gallery and Museum. Furthermore, on the way back, you will have the opportunity to visit the Wallace Monument.

We will meet at 9:00 am on Saturday at the ISC. Looking forward to see you there!

PLEASE BRING...

NOTICE TO ALL THOSE GOING TO ABERFELDY on 23/10/10

If you are planning to buy anything containing alcohol at the distillery, you must be 18yrs or older. Please bring proof of age with you (I.D card)!!! Spread the word to those who are joining us on the trip!

Extra Ticket Sale for the Weekend Trip

Hi all,

If you missed out on buying your ticket for the lovely weekend trip for 6-7. November, here's your last chance! :)

We will be selling 13 more tickets on Thursday at the ISC at 19:00 - please make sure you bring your matriculation card with you.

Remember, the ticket is £80.00 per person including transport, professional guides, accommodation, a ceilidh in the evening and entry to the Urquhart Castle and other touristic venues as well as your meals excluding your lunch.

Further details are available at:

http://isced.blogspot.com/2010/10/isc-weekend-trip-6-7-nov.html

See you at 19:00 on Thursday!!

xx

ISC FRENCH NIGHT 25/10/10

Tickets for this event will go on sale on Wednesday 20th at the ISC (22b Buccleuch street) from 18.00 -19.00, at £3.00 each.

Croissants, Eiffel tower, Amelie. What do these three have in common? Why, they’re French of course! Come on down to the ISC’s French Night on Monday 25^th October at 8p.m. and immerse in French culture. Pick up a few French words while taking a small trip down to l’Hexagone with us. Of course, French gastronomy (a.k.a. FOOD! (: ) will be on offer in the form of wine, cheese, bread, croissants, pain au chocolat, and many other mouth-watering delicacies.

At the same time, we will explore other French-speaking regions of the world, such as Quebec, and contemplate the differences with continental France. To wrap up this evening of gourmet eating and drinking, we will enjoy a screening of the film “Amelie”.

Hope to see you there!

ISC Weekend Trip (6-7 Nov)

Have you wondered whether Nessie (a.k.a. the Loch Ness monster) exists? Have you wanted to find out how high Ben Nevis really is? Curious to explore the wild and rough Highlands of Northern Scotland but not quite sure how? Then this is a trip for you!

Right after Guy Fawkes’ night, the ISC will embark on a two-day trip (6^th and 7^th November) to the luscious green fields and valleys known as the Highlands. Scenery in northern Scotland ranges from snow-capped mountains to emerald green meadows, perhaps with a few Highland cows dotted here and there. Yet this trip will not focus only on Scotland’s wild and natural beauty, but also cater for the interests of history-lovers. The latter is provided by professional guides who will accompany us throughout the trip with visits to places such as Culloden battlefield and regale us with tales of Rob Roy, William Wallace and many other fascinating heroes and villains of Scottish history.

After the first day’s sightseeing, we shall make camp (not literally…) in Inverness, also known as the capital of the Highlands. However, despite the exhaustion we will no doubt be feeling, the occasion calls for celebration of Scotland and general Scottish pride. A party is not a party in Scotland until the ceilidh band have begun to sing. And that is just what they will do. With a professional ceilidh band and a first class venue at Thistle Hotel, we will dance the night (and the calories) away!

Please see the click-able map below for the itinerary of this two-day journey:

Tickets will be sold on Tuesday 19^th at the ISC from 18.30 at the price of £80.00 per person. Only one ticket is allowed per person, and only 100 tickets will be sold. Please bring cash only and bear in mind that a matriculation card is required for purchase.

The ticket price encompasses costs for entertainment, accommodation, transport, guides, the ceilidh band, dinner prepared by volunteers and a continental breakfast in the morning. As we will be travelling during the two days, lunches will need to be purchased separately at the stops and sites chosen.

Hope to see you there!

View Weekend Trip in a larger map

ISC COFFEE EVENING 19/10/10

In many European cultures, going for coffee is almost a synonym for relaxation, chat and fun in a very casual, stress-free environment. Following this age-old practice, we at the ISC invite you to come for free coffee (or tea), biscuits and cheese!

Drop in on Tuesday the 19th October from 16.00 to 18.00 for a chat, a munch of free snacks and good company! If you're going to have a break from work...have it the ISC way.

NOTE: The day of 'Coffee Evenings' has changed. It used to be on a Thursday, but it is now on a TUESDAY.

ISC Trip: 23/10/10 ABERFELDY WHISKY DISTILLERY

Tickets for this event will go on sale on Monday 18^th at the ISC (22b Buccleuch street) at 18.00, at £12.00 each.

Scotland, aside from being the homeland of golf, is known for being the birthplace of whisky. Follow the ISC on Saturday 23^rd October at 8.45a.m. on our trip to Aberfeldy, a small town hidden away in the Scottish highlands, where we plan to visit a whisky distillery owned by Dewar.

Dewar whisky is a guaranteed superb quality highland whisky, and the distillery has just begun the whisky making process for this year. The visit will include entry to a museum about the history of Dewar’s whisky, as well as a walking tour of the distillery itself. At the end of the tour, a free whisky sampling will give your taste buds a flavour of highland Scotch.

Following the tour of the distillery, you may choose to stroll around the picturesque town of Aberfeldy, barely 5 minutes away from the distillery on foot. On the other hand, you can spend the rest of the afternoon at the distillery café.

ISC FILM NIGHT 18/10/10

FILM NIGHT

On Monday 18th October at 19.30, join us for a glimpse into a culture very different from the one of our host country. At 22b Buccleuch street, we at the ISC will be watching PERSEPOLIS, a French animated film (don't worry, it has English subtitles for those of us who are not very fluent in French!). This film is based on a book by Marjane Satrapi about her life in Iran during the 1970s. It's both a technically and an artistically accoladed film and is quite recent too. And in case you get peckish, as most of us do during films, snacks will be available.

Synopsis: [Source: IMDB]
In 1970s Iran, Marjane 'Marji' Statrapi watches events through her young eyes and her idealistic family of a long dream being fulfilled of the hated Shah's defeat in the Iranian Revolution of 1979. However as Marji grows up, she witnesses first hand how the new Iran, now ruled by Islamic fundamentalists, has become a repressive tyranny on its own. With Marji dangerously refusing to remain silent at this injustice, her parents send her abroad to Vienna to study for a better life. However, this change proves an equally difficult trial with the young woman finding herself in a different culture loaded with abrasive characters and profound disappointments that deeply trouble her. Even when she returns home, Marji finds that both she and homeland have changed too much and the young woman and her loving family must decide where she truly belongs.

This is a free event, therefore there are no tickets to be sold.

ISC This Week (10-17 Oct)

Hey all! Hope everyone's doing alright with coursework and other commitments - it's starting to get busy, but don't miss out on the ISC events! :D

Our Lounge is open every weekday during the semester - come over anytime for free coffee, tea and some sweet company!
The LOUNGE (ISC, 22b Buccleuch Place) open times are:
Monday-Wednesday 12:00-16:00
Thursday 12:00-18:00
Friday 12:00-15:00


And now, the plan of the week:

Monday, 11th

TICKET SALE for HIKING TRIP to DUNKELD
18:00- @ the ISC
Our first nature-related trip of the year! Do you want to take a peek at the Highlands that will be so nearby? Come join us on this trip and decide from the two trails which you would like to join. 34 tickets will be on sale on Monday from 18:00, each costing £6.00 for you to be encompassed by the beauty up there - please bring cash ONLY and remember that we can only sell a maximum of 2 tickets per person. Details can be found at:

http://isced.blogspot.com/2010/10/isc-dunkeld-hiking-trip-161010.html

NORTH AMETICAN NIGHT 20:00-23:30 @ the ISC
Who would say no to pancakes? Especially when there's also the 'Bone Game' and a film afterwards?? Come over and join us for an evening packed with fun and sugar. Please note that, due to the capacity of our lounge, only those who have bought the tickets last week can join us.
You can check the details by the following link:
http://isced.blogspot.com/2010/10/north-american-night.html

**Please note that there will be no ticket sales for Events this week, as the coming up event for next week (Monday, 18th) is for free! We will be screening Talentine from 19:30 @ the ISC - more info will be coming up soon!

Thursday, 14th

COFFEE EVENING 16:00-18:00 @ the ISC
Pop in for a chat, we will have free coffee/tea along with biscuits and cheese ready for you. A great time and place to just mingle and relax from the workload!

PUB NIGHT 21:00- @ the Greenmantle (44 Westcrosscauseway)
Gather around at the Greenmantle, just 5 min walk away from the ISC. They have some special deals with us including £1.75 for vodka mix, bottled beer, small wine as well as 30 % discounts for any food (served till midnight)! When you are ordering your drinks for these deals, make sure you mention that you are with the "ISC / society" otherwise you won't be benefiting from the deals.


Saturday, 16th

RAFTING TRIP & HIKING TRIP (to DUNKELD)
This weekend is packed with activities - be it on water or on land!

***IMPORTANT INFO for RAFTERS*****

Please gather at the ISC @10:30 on the 16th - we will hop on the coach and head towards the Highlands then! We also recommend that you bring some packed lunch along with you, as we will be reaching our destination after noon. If you wish, bring something to eat after rafting as well, as you will most likely be starving! However, we will be making a brief stop on our way back at Dunkeld, where you could buy something to eat on the coach - it's up to you =)

And for those of you who might want to plan their lovely Saturday evenings, we will be arriving back in Edinburgh around 19:00.

Further details available on:
http://isced.blogspot.com/2010/09/ticket-sale-rafting-trip.html (rafting)

http://isced.blogspot.com/2010/10/isc-dunkeld-hiking-trip-161010.html (hiking)


Have a great Week 4 & hope to see you around the ISC!xx

ISC Dunkeld Hiking Trip - 16/10/10

Have you dreamt of exploring the breathtaking Scottish Highlands? Here’s your chance! ISC’s Dunkeld Hiking Trip will not only take you to the praised Highlands, but also, give you the time to admire and explore its sights and sounds!

We’ll be taking two different trails – The Atholl Woods and the Larch Walk.

The Atholl Woods has received applauses from leisure hikers, and its not surprising why. Atholl Woods stretches over many acres of hill country to the north of Dunkeld offering delightful walks and open views around the vast conifer plantations. The walk through Atholl Woods passes along the banks of two small but attractive lochs. Mill Dam always has large numbers of wildfowl, including widgeon, mallard and tufted ducks. Polney Loch, also known as the Goat's Pool, lies beneath the imposing cliffs of Craig a' Barns and has a distinctly Swiss atmosphere created by its situation and scenery.

The Larch Walk is equally stunning. This walk offers in miniature many of the sights to be enjoyed on a larger scale elsewhere in the area. . The Dunkeld Larches can also be seen near the river and include the remaining `Parent Larch`, which stands 100 feet high near the west end of the cathedral. This tree is the last survivor from a group of five planted by the 2nd Duke of Atholl in 1738. Also, hikers will get the chance to visit the Dunkeld Cathedral. The Dunkeld Cathedral is part ruin, part parish church.

So, what are you waiting for? This is YOUR CHANCE to explore the beautiful Highlands on foot, at your own pace instead of just passing by when you’re on a tour bus! We leave at 10.30 a.m. and return at 7.00p.m. on Saturday 16th October.

Tickets will be sold on Monday 11th October at 6.00p.m., in the ISC lounge at £6.00 each.

Quick Note on the Meeting Point for the Trip Tomorrow!

If you bought a ticket to join us on the trip to Linlithgow tomorrow, please keep reading. ;)

Just a quick note on the meeting point for tomorrow morning - we will be meeting at Waverley train station, the big station below North Bridge.

The station, as you might know, is rather big and busy, so the meeting point is THE INFORMATION POINT on the main concourse. NOT to be confused with the tourist information on top of the station. Again, we'll meet inside the station, at the information point. Make sure you get there by 8.45am.

If you are lost and cannot find us in the morning, you can call our volunteers under 07947367932 or 07591939270 to give you directions.

Have a great trip!!
xx

NORTH AMERICAN NIGHT

As October slips into its second week, we remain in the Northern hemisphere, moving away from Sweden across the Atlantic to North America. Join us on the 11th October at the ISC for a night packed with food and fun! Come prepared for a round of the 'Bone Game', as well as plenty of pancakes with sinfully delicious maple syrup from our own International House (well...Centre) of Pancakes. If you feel lucky, why don't you try a Jeopardy-style North-American slang quiz? Possible prizes include maple candies, while on a more serious note, a discussion of US culture vs Canadian culture will ensue, set relative to the perspective of the UK.
Finally our sweet-toothed night of revelry will be wrapped up with a film screening, during which you hopefully won't fall asleep, after having eaten all that sugar.

Tickets will be sold on Wednesday 6th October from 6 -7 pm in the International Student Centre lounge. Make sure you get yours before they run out!