Monday 27 February 2012

Happenings of Week 7: 27/2/12- 4/3/12

Monday 27/2/2012: Film Night : 8.00-11.00 pm @ ISC Lounge


The ISC is screening Braveheart tonight. Event is free of charge including tea, coffee and snacks!


Event page: http://www.facebook.com/events/395563490469720/


- Registration for Trip to Stirling which is on 3/4/2012 : 6.30pm


To attend the Trip to Stirling this Saturday you MUST register at : http://iscstirling.eventbrite.co.uk/ . 15% extra tickets are released on eventbrite so preregistration does not guarantee a space!Ticket collection is at the ISC Lounge on Wednesday 29th February 6.30-7.30 pm. Please also bring 10 pounds and your matric card for ticket collection. For more information: http://www.facebook.com/events/368817286470169/



Tuesday 28/2/2012: 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! We are also trying to promote people baking their own cake, so coffee evening can have a different flavour every week!



Wednesday 29/2/2012: Trip to Stirling ticket collection, 6.30-7.30 pm @ ISC Lounge



Ticket collection for Stirling trip: £10 cash only and don't forget your matic card!




Thursday 1/3/2012: Pub Night, 9 pm - 1am @ Greenmantle Pub



We're back on to our regular pub night this week from wine night last week! Regular drink and food deals available as usual, just mention you're with the ISC. Address: 44 West Crosscauseway.



Saturday 2/3/2012: Trip to Stirling, 9am - 6.00pm



Only available to ticket holders! Depart 8am from ISC Lounge 22b Buccleuch Place. For more information : http://www.facebook.com/events/368817286470169/



- Trip to Lake District, 7am on 3rd March to 4th March at 10pm



BEAR IN MIND THAT THE TICKETS DO NOT SAY THE CORRECT DATE AND THIS IS THE CORRECT ONE!! The buses WILL LEAVE ISC at 7am so PLEASE ARRIVE BEFORE THAT or when you arrive the buses will have gone or will be pulling away!! For itinerary/ more info: http://www.facebook.com/events/290194681036421/



- Board Games Night, 6pm-10pm @ ISC Lounge



With the addition of our new House Manager, Clemens, comes our weekly board games night which will be hosted by him! There are various European style board games available in addition to your standard ones.



WE ARE ALSO SELLING ISC CLOTHING- HOODIES ETC WHEN THE LOUNGE IS OPEN!!

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

Monday 20 February 2012

Happenings of Week 6: 20/2/12 - 26/2/12

Monday 20/2/2012: Poker Night : 8.00-11.00 pm @ ISC Lounge

Free for all students of the University of Edinburgh- chilled out poker night, if you don't know how to play, come anyway guaranteed there'll be someone there to teach you how!

Event page: http://www.facebook.com/events/187835234654901/


- Ticket sale for India Night which is on 22/2/2012: 6pm -7 pm

We are still selling tickets for India Night, our big cultural night of the term which is also part of Global Horizons Week. Tickets still cost £3 pounds, don't miss out! No pre registration required just pop by to the Lounge!


- Registration for Trip to Durham which is on 25/2/2012 : 6.30pm

To attend the Trip to Durham this Saturday you MUST register at : http://iscdurham.eventbrite.co.uk/ . 15% extra tickets are released on eventbrite so preregistration does not guarantee a space!Ticket collection is at the ISC Lounge on Wednesday 22nd February 6.30-7.30 pm. Ticket price includes transportation. For more information: http://www.facebook.com/events/302125876514925/


Tuesday 21/2/2012: 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! We are also trying to promote people baking their own cake, so coffee evening can have a different flavour every week!


Wednesday 22/2/2012: India Night, 7pm- 10pm @ Rainy Hall, New College

Don't miss out on our big culture night of the term- India Night! The night promises to give you yummy authentic food, henna, a Bollywood film and for something different- a Bhangra dance workshop run by the Edinburgh Bhangra Society!


- Trip to Durham ticket collection, 6.30-7.30 pm @ ISC Lounge

Ticket collection for Durham trip: £12 cash only!


Thursday 23/2/2012: Wine Night, 9 pm - 1am @ Greenmantle Pub

Wine night is just another spin on our weekly pub night at the Greenmantle's- you can get

wine deals, with £7.50 on a bottle, £3 for a large glass of wine and £2 for a small glass! If wine isn't your thing you can also get anything else that you want- all will still be on sale. Location: 44 West Crosscauseway.


Saturday 25/2/2012: Trip to Durham, 8am - 6.30pm

Only available to ticket holders! Depart 8am from ISC Lounge 22b Buccleuch Place. For more information : http://www.facebook.com/events/302125876514925/


- Board Games Night, 6pm-10pm @ ISC Lounge

With the addition of our new House Manager, Clemens, comes our weekly board games night which will be hosted by him! There are various European style board games available in addition to your standard ones.


WE ARE ALSO SELLING ISC CLOTHING- HOODIES ETC WHEN THE LOUNGE IS OPEN!!

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

Sunday 5 February 2012

Happenings of Week 4- 6/2/12 to 12/2/12

Monday 6/2/2012: Swiss Night : 8.00-11.00 pm @ ISC Lounge

Indulge in delicious authentic Swiss goodies, like Nusstorte and fondue! A short presentation about the culture and history of Switzerland will tell you all you nee to know and a popular Swiss movie will also be shown at the end of the night. For ticket holders only!

Event page: http://www.facebook.com/events/169037103199993/

- Registration for Oban Trip which is on 11/2/2012 : 6.30pm

To attend the Oban Trip this Saturday you MUST register at : http://iscoban.eventbrite.co.uk/ . Following successful registration, you must pay 10 pounds and pay for your ticket at the ISC Lounge on Wednesday 8th February 6.30-7.30 pm. Ticket price includes bus, castle, chapel at Oban

For more information: http://www.facebook.com/events/359640344048087/

Tuesday 7/2/2012: 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!

7pm: Extraordinary General Meeting @ ISC Lounge

This meeting is for voting our new House Manager (see post below). Please come and vote- as long as you are a matriculated student you have the right to!

Wednesday 8/2/2012: Oban Trip ticket collection, 6.30-7.30 pm @ ISC Lounge

If you have successfully pre-registered online (not on waiting list!) for the Oban Trip, you MUST come to pay for and collect your ticket at the ISC Lounge. 10 pounds- cash only!!

- Registration for West African Night which is on 13/2/2012 : 7.30pm

Our event the following Monday is West African Night! Play traditional African games, eat authentic foods & listen to a performance by the African Drumming Society! To attend, you MUST register at : http://iscwafricanight.eventbrite.com/ . Following successful registration, you must pay 3 pounds and pay for your ticket at the ISC Lounge on Thursday 9th February 6.30 pm.

For more info: http://www.facebook.com/events/342986849065614/

Thursday 9/2/2012: West African Night ticket collection, 6.30pm @ ISC Lounge

If you have registered online to attend West African night, please collect your ticket at the ISC Lounge and pay 3 pounds in cash!

-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.

Saturday 11/2/2012: Oban Trip, 9am

Only available to ticket holders! Depart 9am from ISC Lounge 22b Buccleuch Place. For more information : http://www.facebook.com/events/359640344048087/

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

Saturday 4 February 2012

Election and Candidates for House Manager


Dear all

Here are the details of our upcoming election to be House Manager of the ISC:

When and Where?
On Tuesday the 7th of February at 6pm at the International Student Centre (22b Buccleuch Place).

Who can vote?
Anyone that turns up, provided you are a student at the University of Edinburgh - I.e. have a UoE Student Card.

How will it work?
Once we are all gathered each of the candidates will in turn get a chance to tell you why they wish to be House Manager - aka why you should vote for them. They will have 5 minutes MAX each. Afterwards we will have a vote which will be by secret ballot. Whoever gets a majority wins.
Afterwards we will have a short Q/A session regarding the new ISC Constitution.

Who's the candiates?
Glad you asked, we have 5 (!) candidates: Jessie, Clemens, Xuebin, Kerttu and Clara. Please see below for a short statement of intent from each:

Jessie Holbek:
Hello,
I already spend quite a bit of time at the ISC, and am familiar with the core committee members and how the ISC works. Being an exchange student, this would be my one chance to be part of the core committee at ISC. Oh, and I would make sure the ISC is always fully stocked - including fresh milk! ;)

Xuebin Lu (aka Leo):
As one of the student representatives in the department, I often listen to students about their concerns for the quality of teaching, and resolve conflicts between teachers and students by using my interpersonal skills. This role allows me to be more responsible.
The reason why I want to take this role is that I regard this is a opportunity to be more involved in ISC's operation. This may enhance my problems solving skills in different situations. And I am willing to learn more from ISC, such as event organization, by participating the meeting and activities in ISC event organization and improve myself.
If I can take this role, I am willing to make sure the sufficiency of food and office supplies and they are well-organised. Also I am willing to study about different tastes of the tea or biscuits, and ensure maximum of the value of money as my obligation, and try to keep the total cost and expense down.

Best wishes,
Leo

Clemens Wolff:
Why do I want to be House Manager?
1. I love the ISC and would enjoy being more involved/giving back.
2. I am well organized and rigorous to the point of being
obsessive-compulsive (call it 'German', for short) and thus well
suited for a janitorial/inventory-management position.
3. I generally have fairly strong ideas about a lot of things and will
thus add another perspective and active discussion element to the
core-committee.
4. I tend to be fairly approachable and like to think that I am a
decent ambassador for the ISC - I should thus be a decent ambassador
for the core-committee too.
5. I have been asked to run for the position.

What do I intend to do if I get the position?
1. I will represent the liberal/green/hippie vote on the committee,
supporting stances such as (but not limited to):
1.a) Encouraging more recycling/reducing waste by not buying
over-packaged products and by making recycling easier (larger/more
bins, add a third bin for packaging alongside the existing bins for
paper and landfill).
1.b) Exploring how interested people would be in switching the ICS's
offerings to organic/fair trade/ethical produce.
1.c) Possibly offering healthy alternatives at Coffee Evening (fruit,
hummous with veggie dippers, etc.).
1.d) Possibly offering special dietary requirement alternatives at
coffee evening (vegan, gluten-free...) - can easily be made to overlap
with point 1.c) above.
2. I will encourage more diversity at Coffee Evening by not buying the
same(ish) biscuits, sweets and cheese every week.
3. I will promote volunteer participation in the running of Coffee
Evening by encouraging volunteers with baking skills to step forward
and create stuff for Coffee Evening instead of only buying commercial
produce all the time. The cost of ingredients (but only the cost of
ingredients) will be reimbursed from the Coffee Evening budget - but
considering how ridiculously cheap it is to bake cakes and pastry,
there should still be plenty money left for cheese/commercial produce.
I'd be happy to kick-start this initiative myself but I am fairly
optimistic that something along these lines could gain traction.
4. I will initiate a discussion of considering the ISC's budget as one
entity rather than keeping separate books for events/trips/house. This
would allow for possible surpluses from trips/events to be used to
make Coffee Evening and the Lounge even more awesome (e.g. buying more
games/fancy coffee machine, possibly having Coffee Evening more than
once per week, etc.) all while eliminating the small-change-problem
from ticket sales due to not having to feel guilty about rounding to
the next reasonable number any more.

Clara Sophie Kantner:
Why I am really interested in becoming the new House Manager
The ISC has definitely become something of a second home to me during the last semester.
Obviously, I am there during my “official” volunteer shift, fulfilling all my duties and trying to
be welcoming for everyone who comes in. But I also spend a lot of my free time there – after
lectures and tutorials, when I am supposed to be studying, and generally, to relax and find
some peace.
So if I took up the position of House Manager and joined the Committee, I feel like the time
I sit around and drink coffee could be spent slightly more productive. I generally like to keep
the place clean – or at least cleared of dishes and trash – and organize the kitchen area. I
have done stocking before and once I know where to find all the necessary things like coffee,
tee, filters, milk etc, I am sure that I would have no problems keeping an eye on the stock
and buying supplies, within the given budget.
I would generally love to be more involved in pub nights, events and whatever necessary
since I feel like I should give something back to the ISC. Without it, I would never enjoyed my
first semester here so much.

One last thing: I am a huge caffeine addict, so I have a strong personal interest that there is
always coffee. Also, I now know where the recycling is.

Clara

Kerttu Kaikkonen:
I would like to state my intent of running for the position of House Manager in the International Student Centre. I am an active user of the ISC services (lounge, events and trips) and a member of the events sub-committee as well as a lounge volunteer, but I would very much like to become even more involved in running the ISC. This is my only chance of doing so, since I am unfortunately going back to Finland in June to finish my degree.

I believe I would make a good House Manager for the ISC. I am reliable and honest, and I already have an idea of how the ISC works as well as what is required of the House Manager. As House Manager, I would take care the lounge never runs out of things and, since I already am at the lounge on a daily basis, keeping an eye on the stock would be easy for me to do. I would look into getting a working recycling system to the lounge, listen to what people want for the coffee evenings and make an effort to provide accordingly.

I feel I have something to give for the ISC with my prior experience in being a member of the board of a society and it would be easy for me to get on top of things. I was just before Christmas re-elected as Information Coordinator for our student organisation back in Finland, making this my third consecutive year as a board member. Also, as a visiting student, I could provide the Committee with a valuable visiting student’s point of view on things.

Kerttu Kaikkonen




Good luck to all the candidates and thanks for the overwhelming interest!

Hope to see a lot of you there!

Rasmus Dall
- President