International Students Forum

Calling on all International students

Hi there, Your International students officer here..Orla Rodgers.

I am holding a forum to discuss the issues that effect Internationalstudents and to give YOU the chance to influence S.U policy, and enhancethe student experience for international students. Lets embrace diversity,lets embrace your views.


When : 12- 1pm wedenesday week 9 (21st November)
Where : THE MAIN HALL GYPSYLANE CAMPUS.

Fortnightly Report October 2007

Over the last two weeks I have been working towards providing celebratory events for Eid primarily for muslim students and Middle Eastern students in general. I decided to focus on the international side of things and set up an Arabic/middle eastern cultural society. In assisting with the organisation and setting up of the society I have achieved the building of a link between the union itself and a group of Arabic, Persian and middle eastern students in general. In previous years there has either been no Arabic society at all or an inactive one. But having been contacted by several Arabic students we felt the need to set one up. Our ‘1001 nights’ party was held at Al Salam restaurant in the Oxford city centre and was attended by approximately 50 Brookes students and a small number of Oxford University students. The party was successful with Syrian dances preformed, belly dancers Middle Eastern food and music. I intend to assist this society throughout the year in their cultural events.

I have met with Liz Robertson, International Students advisor whereby we discussed my objectives and how she and the ISAS service could assist with them. Her advice and thoughts were extremely Beneficial in organising what I want to do for the academic year with my role.

I have been booked onto an NUS training course for international student officers, which I am looking forward to as It will again assist me in providing better representation for the international students at the university.

Objectives for Academic year 2007/8

My main objective as outlined in my manifesto for the position is to internationalise our union through listening to international students but most importantly, to give international students a voice. I believe that this can be fulfilled in the following ways;

Networking,
Providing research to the Sabbatical Officers
Having open and regular communication with international students.


I aim to develop an effective channel of communication between our union and the international student population by forming an ‘an International students forum’. I want this to take place at least once this semester and twice in semester two. Its primary objective will be to promote a wider union-institutional understanding of the issues that effect international students. It will be a focal point for international students to discuss their worries, likes/ dislikes of the union and university. The event will be hosted by myself , another international student and hopefully our first international students union president, and some of the other sabbatical officers depending on their availability.

At the first forum I will introduce the idea of setting up an international committee and also discuss all aspects of union activity in relation to
· Representation
· Welfare
· Commercial services
· Clubs and societies and sports.
· As a result this committee shall identify the barriers, if any with regard to international students participation within the union.

This forum could also help with developing the university’s new policy on diversity.
Moreover the forum could develop strategies in relation to overcoming problems faced by international students with regard to the language barrier (English colloquialisms) culture shock and better academic assistance.
I aim to get at least 30 international students to attend.

My other main objective for the year is to organise an International Festival.
The event should take place in early March just before the Easter break to ensure maximum attendance.
The organisation of this event shall begin after week 5 of this semester.
It will be an event to celebrate the diversity within the university.
To take place on Gypsy lane campus
The ethnic minorities officer has agreed to assist with the organisation of the event
Other aims and objectives;
TO KNOW THE INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS.



To take at least one hour a week to talk to internationals on campus rotating between Gypsy lane, Harcourt hill and wheatley campus.

To introduce more international dishes within the cafeteria. To provide halal and kosher foods.