Hello everyone!

So it’s been over a month since my last blog!
Here is all I have been up to over the past few weeks (apart from my degree work that is…).

ISA Committee
The new committee had an informal handover meeting from the outgoing chair and events’ officer on Monday the 14th November 2011.
The ISA committee by-elections were held on Monday the 21st November 2011 from 5-6 pm in Guild Council Chambers.  Livia Tverdun was elected as Events’ Officer.
The Sports Officer position has not been filled.

The new ISA had their first Meet & Greet on the Tuesday 29th November 2011 from 5-6.30 pm in the Chaplaincy kitchen area.  A few people turned up, including someone who made delicious Korean pancakes!
Pictures from the event can be found on here.

ISAS Trips to Oxford
I went on a trip organised by the International Students’ Advisory Service (ISAS) to Oxford on the 26th November 2011. 
During the trip some students contributed their funny stories about life in the UK, including some cultural differences in greeting people, as well as the efficiency in recovering lost items here!

Guild Officer training on intercultural awareness
The Guild Officer Group was invited to a specially planned Bridging our world workshop on the 1st of December.  This was together with members of the ISA committee to raise awareness of cultural issues among Guild Officers.  6 Guild Officers attended.  It was delivered by the Careers & Employability Centre.

Link-up programme
Academic Services at the University of Birmingham has set up a new programme called Link-up, which is meant to pair up international students with local ones over Christmas so that they each have things to do around in Birmingham over the Christmas break.
The International Student sign-up closed today; the Home Students sign-up is open until Wednesday 7th December, and can be found here.
So if you are a student staying local over the holidays, sign up! It will be a great opportunity to make friends with someone from another part of the world and to learn about their culture!

English language support for international students and their partners
Do you struggle with your English?  Do you think you could do with some help with your academic or even everyday English?
Then have a look at the English for International Students Unit.

What’s on in Birmingham over Christmas?
If you are around in Birmingham over the Christmas period, you can find out what’s on in and around the city here.
You can also sign up to the Birmingham City Council monthly Bulletin Service here.  This will help you keep abreast of everything going on in the city!

… and something a little more local for students staying behind over the holidays!
The Student Mentor Scheme is holding its annual Christmas social on Thursday the 15th December 2011 @ 7-9.30 pm.  This is an evening where all students staying back in University residences meet up around food, drinks and Christmas cheer to celebrate the festive season and end the term in style!
If you are around and would like to attend, sign up here.  The deadline for signing up to this free event is Tuesday 13th December 2011.

If you want to get in touch with me, email iso@guild.bham.ac.uk

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Noorie x