Wednesday 25 January 2012

Events @ the ISC, Semester 2 - weeks 2-6

Take out your planner and start circling these dates now! This is the list of semester two events for weeks 2-6, the rest will be posted in a few weeks!

Jan:


23 - Chinese New Year

30 - New England Night

Feb:


6- Swiss Night

13- West African Night

22 - India Night

Other events being planned include:


- International Evening - Middle East Night - Trips to Edinburgh Castle - Japanese Night - Poker Night - and MUCH more!

Tuesday 24 January 2012

IMPORTANT! Getting involved in running the ISC - New House Manager, Constitution and Information Evening

Dear All

Yesterday our House Manager Zahid decided to step down from his position. This sadly leaves the ISC with an empty spot in our Committee, but it also allows us to inform you about something that we've been working on in the background this year.

When a member of the Committee leaves a new member must be found, but how?
The ISC is, despite what many believe, not a society and as thus does not have any formal method for electing new members of the Committee. The old Committee simply elected the new Committee, end of story. Given the increasing focus on transparency in the organisation of the University this is of course not a good thing. Therefore the current Committee has forged out what will hopefully be the foundation of a more open and honest ISC - namely a Constitution.

While the constitution is not officially in effect we figured that we should follow the ideals of our own brainchild and follow the constitution in the selection of our new House Manager. Therefore we call an Extraordinary General Meeting of the ISC two weeks from now, on February 7th at 6pm - that is right after Coffee Evening in two weeks.

What does that mean?
It basically means that on that date we will have a vote to elect the new House Manager - everyone is welcome to come and have your say.
Also if you are interested in becoming the ISC's new House Manager you must declare you interest through a statement of intent sent to iscedi@gmail.com at the latest on January 31st or in writing delivered at the ISC office (22b Buccleuch Place).

Who can stand?
Matriculated students of the University of Edinburgh who will be here for the duration of the post - that is until approximately the end of the semester when a whole new committee will be elected.

What must the statement of intent contain?
At the very minimum your name, matriculation number and contact details. Preferably also why you wish to become House Manager and what you intend to do if you get the position.

What is the job of our House Manager?
First and foremost to keep the ISC stocked. That is bulk buy coffee and tea, buy stuff for coffee evenings, ensure we never run out of filters, milk etc. But also acquire various office supplies such as printing paper, batteries, pens and other things that we might need.
The House Manager is also be part of the ISC Committee and must participate in the meetings and activities of the Committee and will be expected to help out where needed.
Candidates will be organised and reliable, be able to keep an overview of current stock and ensure supplies do not run out (and perhaps a drive to get recycling working).

What is the benefit?
Feel-good factor, a say in how the ISC is run and you will be, almost, the sole decision maker as to which coffee/tea we drink and which biscuits/cheeses we eat at coffee evenings.

What's the deal with this constitution?
As part of the evening we will also encourage people who are interested in the organisation of the ISC to come along and ask any and all questions regarding running the ISC but also about the new constitution and provide us with comments and feedback about its form - so if you want a say in how the ISC is run in the future; have a look at the constitution: Here.

We hope a lot of you will turn up and show an interest. If you have any questions or queries regarding this - please send them to iscedi@gmail.com and we will get in touch asap.

Kind Regards

Rasmus Dall
- President

Sunday 22 January 2012

Happenings of Week 2- 23/1/12- 29/1/12

Firstly, to all who celebrate- Happy Chinese New Year everyone!!



Monday 23/1/2012: Chinese New Year Celebrations : 8.30-11.30 pm @ ISC Lounge


Celebrate with the ISC as we ring in the Year of the Dragon! Whether you traditionally celebrate Chinese New Year and are far away from home or whether you are just curious about the customs and food present on this day, come along to the ISC CNY celebrations! We will be lighting lanterns and sparklers in the meadows and having various Chinese food and tea in the lounge afterwards. A movie will also be shown. Please dress appropriately for the weather for the lantern lighting! Only available to ticket holders.


Event page: http://www.facebook.com/events/273832272684436/


- Registration for Caerlaverock Castle & Dumfries Trip which is on 28/1/2012: 6.30pm


To attend the Caerlaverock Castle & Dumfries Trip this Saturday you MUST register at : http://isccaerlaverockcastle.eventbrite.co.uk/ . Following successful registration, you must pay 8 pounds and pay for your ticket at the ISC Lounge on Wednesday 25th January 6-7 pm. Ticket price includes bus, and castle entrance.


For more information: http://www.facebook.com/events/221866387898723/



Tuesday 24/1/2012: Coffee Evening, 4pm-6 pm @ ISC Lounge

This is our weekly coffee evening- every week we have coffee evening on Tuesdays at 4pm. Free tea, coffee and biscuits (sometimes cheese!) are always served. This is a fabulous opportunity to meet lots of people from around the world in a relaxed environment.

Event page: http://www.facebook.com/events/368956236454561/



Wednesday 25/1/2012: Caerlaverock Castle & Dumfries Trip ticket collection, 6-7 pm @ ISC Lounge


If you have successfully pre-registered online for the Caerlaverock Casle & Dumfries Trip, you MUST come to pay for and collect your ticket at the ISC Lounge! 8 pounds- CASH ONLY!


- Registration for New England Night which is on 30/1/2012 : 6.30pm


Our event the following Monday is New England Night- which involves some history, clam chowder, lobstahh rolls and the movie Good Will Hunting. To attend, you MUST register at : http://iscnewenglandnight.eventbrite.com/ . Following successful registration, you must pay 3 pounds and pay for your ticket at the ISC Lounge on Thursday 26th January 6.30 pm.


For more info: http://www.facebook.com/events/213038965456964/?ref=ts



Thursday 26/1/2012: New England Night ticket collection, 6.30 pm @ ISC Lounge

If you have successfully pre-registered online for the New England Night, you MUST come to pay for and collect your ticket at the ISC Lounge! 3 pounds- CASH ONLY!


- Pub Night, 9 pm - 1am @ Greenmantle Pub

Weekly pub night for the ISC held at the Greenmantle at 44 West Crosscauseway- this will be regular time every week. Chill out with old or new friends, with special offers on drinks and food courtesy of the International Student Centre and the Greenmantle. There are also wine deals, with 7.50 pounds on a bottle, 3 pounds for a large glass of wine and 2 pounds for a small glass of wine.


Event page: http://www.facebook.com/events/174281356007308/



Saturday 28/1/2012: Caerlaverock Castle & Dumfries Trip, 9am

Only available to ticket holders! Depart 9am from ISC Lounge 22b Buccleuch Place. For more information : http://www.facebook.com/events/221866387898723/



Our lounge will be open this week 12pm-4pm on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, 12pm-6pm on Tuesday and 12pm-3pm on Friday.

Saturday 14 January 2012

The ISC is back in business!- Happenings of Week 1- 16/1/12 - 22/1/12

First of all- a message from Rasmus Dall, president of the International Student Centre:


Hi everyone,


If you have just arrived - Welcome to the University of Edinburgh and the International Student Centre! If you are returning - Welcome back!


We have a whole range of exciting things happening at the ISC this semester, pop down the lounge at 22b Buccleuch Place for a cup of coffe or tea and we'll fill you in personally (every day 12-16).


Else you can also keep yourself updated by following the blog or joining the facebook group where we will make a weekly newsletter like this to let you know what is happening.


So without much further ado - have a look at what we have to offer this first week of term. We've made an extra effort this first week and in collaboration with the Exchange360 society can offer you something every day of the week!


Enjoy your time!


Rasmus Dall

President


Happenings of Week 1- 16/1/12 - 22/1/12



Monday 16/1/2012: International Potluck Dinner : 7-11 pm @ ISC Lounge


To celebrate the diversity we have here at the ISC, we will be having a potluck dinner for our first event. For those who are unfamiliar with the concept- bring some food (any portion you can manage) from your country (or any others, really) to share with everyone else. Other guests will do the same and that way you get to sample many different things on that night!

Event page: http://www.facebook.com/events/152218824890824/



Tuesday 17/1/2012: Coffee & Movie Evening, 4pm-11 pm @ ISC Lounge


This is our weekly coffee evening- every week we have coffee evening on Tuesdays at 4pm. Free tea, coffee and biscuits (sometimes cheese!) are always served. This is a fabulous opportunity to meet lots of people from around the world in a relaxed environment. As this is the first week of the semester we are also showing 2 movies after the coffee evening is over in 2 different rooms so you can take your pick of the movies. This week we are screening:


Incendies:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YStpiwG3CiE

A mother's last wishes send twins Jeanne and Simon on a journey to Middle East in search of their tangled roots. Adapted from Wajdi Mouawad's acclaimed play, Incendies tells the powerful and moving tale of two young adults' voyage to the core of deep-rooted hatred, never-ending wars and enduring love


Hors de Prix:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-7q2geNV1o

On the Riviera with her elderly provider to celebrate her birthday, Irene slips down to the hotel bar when he falls asleep on her. She mistakes barman Jean for a well-healed guest and he encourages the deceit by taking her up to the Royal Suite for the night. A year later the same thing happens but this time her lover finds out and disowns her. Now knowing Jean is indeed a barman of little means doesn't stop her from continuing to live in style until his money is gone. He soon finds himself in Irene's business with older and worldly-wise Madeleine, and though Irene also takes up with a new paramour the two of them keep in increasingly close touch.

Event page: http://www.facebook.com/events/350148618329948/



- Registration for St. Andrews Trip which is on 21/1/2012 : time TBC


To attend the St. Andrews Trip this Saturday you MUST register at : http://iscstandrews.eventbrite.com/ . Following registration, you must pay 8 pounds and pay for your ticket at the ISC Lounge on Wednesday 18th January 6-7 pm. Ticket price includes bus, castle and Cathedral entrance.

For more information: http://www.facebook.com/events/186501021448512/



Wednesday 18/1/2012: St Andrews Trip ticket collection, 6-7 pm @ ISC Lounge

If you have successfully pre-registered online for the St Andrews Trip, you MUST come to pay for and collect your ticket at the ISC Lounge!



Thursday 19/1/2012: Volunteers Recruitment Evening, 7-8 pm @ ISC Lounge

If you are interested in volunteering for the ISC- whether it be serving tea or coffee with a friendly face at the lounge or helping to organise trips and events, come to this meeting! Volunteering for the ISC gives you an amazing platform to make new friends, learn transferable skills which will enhance your CV and most of all- to have fun!

Event page: http://www.facebook.com/events/133295653454722/



Friday 20/1/2012: Pub Night, 9 pm - 1am @ Greenmantle Pub

Weekly pub night for the ISC held at the Greenmantle at 44 West Crosscauseway- but the timing will be different next week so watch for the next newsletter! Chill out with old or new friends, with special offers on drinks and food courtesy of the International Student Centre and the Greenmantle. There are also wine deals, with 7.50 pounds on a bottle, 3 pounds for a large glass of wine and 2 pounds for a small glass of wine.

Event page: http://www.facebook.com/events/174281356007308/



Saturday 21/1/2012: St. Andrews Trip, 9am- 6 pm

Only available to ticket holders! Depart 9am from ISC Lounge 22b Buccleuch Place. For more information : http://www.facebook.com/events/186501021448512/



Sunday 22/1/2012: Walk up Arthur's Seat, 2- 4 pm

Free of charge. We depart from 22b Buccleuch Place (ISC Lounge) at 2pm.

Event page : http://www.facebook.com/events/307874569247864/



Our lounge will be open this week 12pm-4pm on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, 12pm-6pm on Tuesday and 12pm-3pm on Friday.

Saturday 7 January 2012

ISC Trip to St. Andrews January 21st

Join the ISC on our first trip in 2012 to St. Andrews. The historical town of Scotland, which is home to the world famous and beautiful golf course, magnificent castle ruins, and a ancient cathedral. Spend the day touring the castle, cathedral and town and experience some of the best sightseeing Scotland has to offer.

Departure time: 9 am from the ISC - 22b Buccluech Place
Return time to Edinburgh: about 6 pm


We will not wait for any late students. The buses are set to depart at 9 am from the ISC and leave at 4.30 pm from St. Andrews. If you are late for either buses we are not responsible for your transportation. No refunds are given either.

Tickets:£8
Tickets include transportation to and from St. Andrews, and entrance to the Castle and Cathedral. 

Tickets can be reserved on Eventbrite - URL to follow on Tuesday Jan 17th. (User registration required at www.eventbrite.com)

We will release 15% more tickets than there are available. To offcially attend the trip you must come to the ISC on Wed Jan. 18th from 6-7pm to purchase your ticket.

You can reserve one ticket at a time. One person may not reserve more than one ticket in their name. It is required that each ticket be under a different students name. Tickets are for University of Edinburgh students only. The only exception to this rule is for spouses or children, in which case one extra ticket may be purchased.

More about our online ticketing scheme here and please read our terms and conditions.

Enjoy!

Online Ticketing Scheme

To get a ticket for an ISC trip or event we will release a URL for each ticket sale. This URL links you to a registration page where, at the specified time on the Monday before a trip or event, we will open the ticketing to the public.

This registration for a ticket online does not guarantee you a ticket. It merely reserves you one until you come, on the assigned date, to pay for and collect your official ISC ticket. If you do not come to pay for and collect your ticket from the ISC you forfeit your right to a ticket.


We may release more reservation tickets than there are actual tickets (we will notify if that is the case). This is in response to our experience that people register but never buy their ticket - an inconvenience for people who did want a ticket on the day and a further inconvenience for us as we will lose money (remember the ISC does not make money of our trips and events we subsidise them) if we do not sell enough tickets.

After all tickets have been reserved a waiting list will come into affect through eventbrite. Tickets that have not been collected on the set payment date will then be released, in order of registration, to those registered on the waiting list.

Only matriculated students can purchase tickets, each student can only register for one ticket. One student can pay for as many registered tickets as they would like to, given they have either the matriculation card of the other students or proof of their registration online.

Hope you enjoy our trips!

- ISC

ISC Terms and Conditions



Terms and Conditions of the ISC



The Golden Rule:
The ISC is run entirely by student volunteers, from lounge volunteer to President – nobody is paid. Furthermore the ISC subsidise everything we do – we do not make money of you. This means our volunteers primary concern is getting a good degree! While our commitment to doing our best is in no way diminished we simply cannot offer a service at a commercial standard – that is not the goal anyway – so please:
We will make mistakes - bear with us.
The ISC café is open to matriculated students of the University of Edinburgh, only.
Trips and events organised by the ISC are for matriculated students of the University of Edinburgh students, only. Exceptions will be made for spouses and dependants of matriculated students of the University of Edinburgh.
There will be no refunds issued for tickets to events or trips run by the ISC. Students are welcome to re-sell their ticket to another student at their own discretion.
The ISC cannot be held responsible if participants miss the bus or any other inconveniences that could have been avoided by reading the information provided by the ISC.
If students do not respect the times set out for departure and return during trips, the ISC reserves the right to leave without them.
Buses for trips will depart at the time stated on the ticket and are not required to wait.
Each student can by a maximum of 1 ticket per event or trip. However, an additional 1 ticket can be purchased for a spouse or dependent.
The ISC is not liable for any damage, loss of property or injury during its events or trips.
Ticket pre-registration will be held online prior to ticket collection. Students may register for a single ticket and must collect this ticket at the specified date, or forfeit the right to this ticket.
Another student may collect a ticket for any other pre-registered student.
Students who behave inappropriately will not be permitted to attend further trips or events with the ISC.
All students are expected to respect the volunteers of the ISC and the time they spend making these trips and events possible. Those who are disrespectful will not be permitted to attend further trips or events with the ISC.
Students are expected to follow the requests and rules set out by the ISC and its volunteers during all events and trips. If students do not, the ISC reserves the right to ask students to leave events and trips, and ban them from further events and trips.


Week One - Semester Two 2012

Join the ISC on our first trip in 2012 to St. Andrews. The historical town of Scotland, which is home to the world famous and beautiful golf course, magnificent castle ruins, and a ancient cathedral. Spend the day touring the castle, cathedral and town and experience some of the best sightseeing Scotland has to offer.

FB page: http://www.facebook.com/events/186501021448512/

Departure time: 9 am from the ISC - 22b Buccluech Place
Return time to Edinburgh: about 6 pm

We will not wait for any late students. The buses are set to depart at 9 am from the ISC and leave at 4.30 pm from St. Andrews. If you are late for either buses we are not responsible for your transportation. No refunds are given either.

Tickets:£8
Tickets include transportation to and from St. Andrews, and entrance to the Castle and Cathedral.

Tickets can be reserved on Eventbrite - URL to follow - on Tues. Jan 17th

We will release 15% more tickets than there are available. To officially attend the trip you must come to the ISC on Wed Jan. 18th from 6-7 pm to purchase your ticket.

You can reserve one ticket at a time. One person may not reserve more than one ticket in their name. It is required that each ticket be under a different students name. Tickets are for University of Edinburgh students only. The only exception to this rule is for spouses or children, in which case one extra ticket may be purchased.