New BISC Website

New BISC website is now launched so please check it out - http://www.bisc.org.uk/.

Please note that the events blogsite is now integrated in the website and so this blogsite will no longer be updated!

Farewell BBQ - June 2010

I always find this one just a little emotional! The Farewell Barbeque. Well, once again Dr Chill’s request to head office for good weather was truly answered, and we had an excellent summer’s evening. It was an evening marked by merriment, gaiety and some sadness.

Joe Bain, who is joining BISC as a team member for the next academic year, introduced some games and fun. This was held further up the lawn, whilst at the lower end were the more seriously minded discussing the attributes, (if there are any) of post modernism traits in English fish and chips! The barbequed food was exceedingly good and the catering was undertaken by the BISC staff and cooked by two stalwart volunteers from Yate Community Church. The barbequed sausages with the sauce were my favourite.

This year for Dr Chill has been one of his happiest yet, having just finished his second year as a BISC Team member, and staying on for a third year. I now know where the kitchen utensils live, and Jacqueline just loves the bespoke washing up and the clean toilets! Yet BISC could not have happened without your support. International students are important to us, and for those leaving or who have already left, we hope and trust that your stay in Bristol was a good experience and that BISC was part of that experience.

If you are staying on in Bristol over the summer recess, for example, postgraduate and doctoral students, we are still here. You can come in from 1.00 pm to 5.00 pm for a coffee, tea and a chat until the end of June. After that, it’s best to phone to check if we are open as we need to have our holidays too! Don’t forget, Dr Chill’s advice regarding proof reading and general academic advice is still available.

Perhaps think of your experiences of BISC as a new start to your life. Indeed perhaps you will view the British culture as having something positive about it. I have gained much experience over the past two years in working with international students from across the globe. Indeed the experience has taught me much about improving my own character and skills. Much has happened to me during my lifetime, not all of it pleasant. Two years ago I thought that I would never be able to use my academic and other skills. But the Boss at Head Office raised me up from my sickbed and directed me to BISC. This is the only organisation I have been involved in where there is no ‘backstabbing’ or ‘backbiting’. Also I now know a few words of German, French, Italian, and Spanish. I’m still trying to master a few Persian words though.

I will conclude now, the photographs speak for themselves.
Cheerio God bless and may your God go with you.
This is Dr Chill signing off until the start of next term.

River Cruise - JUNE 2010

Hi there all of you lovely international students! This is Dr Chill reminiscing about the River Cruise. It was a beautiful summer’s evening (yes that’s right, England can have beautiful summer evenings: it’s the England football team that is dodgy!) Dr Chill had spoken to Head Office requesting favourable weather and his request seemed to have been heard.

The boat was built for fifty and we all boarded her on time except for one guest who was waiting at the other end of the Watershed, but she made it in the end!. The Bristol docks area is quite fascinating. As a young lad Dr Chill remembered Bristol docks as a fully functional working dock. The main cargo was bananas from the Caribbean islands. The company was called Fyffe’s and the banana boats were painted white. Cruising along the docks, we passed the artificial cut. This was constructed in the early 19th century by French prisoners of war captured during the Napoleonic Wars. The cruise took us past the back of Temple Meads and a derelict concrete 1960s office block; I remember it being built and opened. Then out into the suburbs, the fishermen and ducks. The ducks seemed to be interested in us when the food was served. There was much jollity and waving on board when we passed other boats coming in the opposite direction. One boat that we passed appeared to have had a champagne party on board.

We cruised along the rural part of the river, where we passed some wonderful houses that looked onto the river. Some people were having a bbq and watching the England World Cup match. The journey was three hours long, and I think we all enjoyed it and thought it was definitely worth the money. It was Hazel’s birthday and we sang happy birthday and applauded and gave her a present.

One of our guests was on another cruise the following day, from Bath to Bristol, so our River Cruise was used as a preliminary training ground for the big trip the next day. Well done E, I hope you made the Bath trip on time!

International Feast - May 2010

Yummy yums, it was the International Feast evening and what a spread of food representing varying cultures and dietary needs! The food ranged from Indian lamb curry to traditional British; yes someone brought fish and chips! Perhaps a tad too much vinegar on the chips! I digress, as there was Libyan rice, Iranian dishes and potato salad from Germany There was laughter and merriment, social interaction and fun. The food was absolutely delicious and Jamie Oliver was nowhere in sight! The overseer of the event was Ruth, and Dr Chill undertook the washing up!

The beauty of the International Feast and indeed BISC generally is the international guests who visit us from all over the Globe. It is part of the extra-curricula activity, where we learn more about nations, customs and traditions.

Between the main course and the sweet there was half an hour of fun and games, led by the CU. For instance there was a game that appeared to resemble the concept of ‘Chinese Whispers’ but involved miming. There was certainly a lot of laughter coming in through the kitchen windows from the BISC garden.

Once again you lovely people, another glorious success for BISC! There are two more functions this term the river cruise on Friday 12 June and the Farewell Garden Party on Wednesday 16 June. See you then. This is Dr Chill signing off until next time.

CAMBRIDGE – a town like no other

On this trip my lovelies, Dr Chill’s contact with head office concerning the weather appeared to go unheeded! It was chilly and wet for most of the trip. Nevertheless we all set off in cheerful mood despite the hour of 7.30 on the morning of Saturday 8 May 2010.

Most of the journey was on motorways, and on leaving Bristol we skirted the slopes of the Cotswolds, and then Wessex Down, where there were hills close to the motorway and onward to Reading services for a 10-minute convenience stop. Then onward to the northern end of the M25, turning north to Cambridge. As we travelled near Cambridge you may have noticed that the landscape was now very flat. Many large fields were covered in yellow carpets of seed oil rape. We were now in the eastern part of England that is called East Anglia.

After about three and a half hours of travelling we arrived at Cambridge. The first part of the fun was queuing up outside a local public house in order to use their washroom facilities. Then we joined another queue for that most academic of English of leisure called punting. Most of you mastered the punting skill very quickly and enjoyed the River Cam sailing past the rear ends of the colleges. This stretch of Cambridge is called ‘The Backs’. Well done!! We were very proud of all our BISC students.

Following a short lunch break it was off for a guided tour of the old Cambridge town. We met outside the entrance to King’s College and were divided into groups of 16 to 17. The tour included a visit to St John’s College. The gatehouse is decorated with the coat of arms of the Duchess of Beaufort who was the financial founder of the College. There is a West Country connection here in that the present Duke and Duchess of Beaufort’s estate is just north of Bristol. For those on the previous Cotswolds trip we went passed the Beaufort estate. Every year during the Easter period famous horse trials take place!

Back to Cambridge, did you notice the round church? Why is it round? Was it to stop students in medieval times from hiding in the corners when the collection was being taken? The market was very interesting as this was the original medieval site of Cambridge, and close to the original bridge over the River Cam. ‘Cam bridge’ that is how Cambridge got its name. After the guided tour had finished Dr Chill with two international students made it to ‘Aunties Tea Rooms’ that was a pleasing experience. While it was raining and cold outside, we all slurped our hot chocolate, and were joined by Jacqueline.

Dr Chill was touched by the kindness of one of our students who insisted that I share her umbrella as we made our way back to the coach pickup point. We all made it on time, just! The sun began to shine as we left Cambridge and travelled back to Bristol. I think 18 nationalities were represented on the trip, which was livened up by a quiz – then sleep! We had a second convenience stop at Reading Services and we were home by 9.30pm.

All in all a wonderful trip despite the weather. It was a wonderful experience for Dr Chill who experienced the warm friendliness of all of you lovely people. The weather may have been wet and chilly, but your company compensated for this.

This is Dr Chill signing off until next time.

BRISTOL 10K RUN – BISC was there!

Sunday 9 May 2010 was chilly but dry and probably the perfect setting to run 10k through the streets of Bristol. Dr Chill and the BISC supporters positioned themselves opposite the Hippodrome with a BISC banner for all to see, and waited for our 3 BISC runners to pass, hoping we could catch a glimpse of them to cheer them along.

The crowds were overwhelming and the runners seemed to be of all ages and abilities. There were experienced runners and amateur runners as well as part-time soldiers (Territorial Army) in their camouflage clothing, carrying large rucksacks and jogging in formation. Other runners were dressed in the most amazing costumes. Scooby Doo, Cinderella, Cowboys on their horses, Lobsters, and many other characters brought colour to the day.

At 10.30 am the BISC cheerleaders were joined by student A who had just left her church service and we stood in the cold cheering on the brave runners. Jacqueline was across the road, taking photographs of the event, some of which are included with this Blog. Big cheers and clapping occurred when three or four disabled runners went by, including one in a wheelchair.

After the race we strolled back to BISC where we had a small reception laid on for our runners, who were wearing medals to prove that they had completed the 10k run. All in all a good morning especially when you were a spectator rather than a runner! Yes! Despite the rumours circulating around BISC, Dr Chill did not participate in the race. Maybe next year! Hope to see you again at BISC in the not too distant future.

Don’t forget the BISC team will support you throughout the exams. Join us for exam lunches, starting Monday 17 May – Friday 4 June (excluding bank holiday, 31 May). Lunch will be served every day from 1-2pm. Come and put your feet up, chill out, have a chat, while enjoying lunch and a mug of tea or coffee. The BISC team have previously had examinations experience, so we understand how you feel!

Well this is Dr Chill signing off in order to start his training for next year’s 10k run.

Ice Skating – and a Meal to Boot

The evening began with a meal at BISC that was excellent. The vegetarian dish was out of this world. There was also a superb chicken-honey dish and an ‘o so delicious’ pudding. BISC had a visitation from E, a doctoral student originally from Russia who had just arrived in Bristol that day. She simply followed the noise and the lovely atmosphere and landed up in the BISC lounge. We all made her welcome. E, even commented that she had never experienced such a friendly and warm place.

After the meal we all trekked down to the Ice Rink where we performed our varying displays of the art of ice-skating. It was great fun and a good break after constantly concentrating on our studies. Dr Chill and a few others, who stayed behind to clear up and make BISC ready for the following week, noticed no broken bones or dislocated joints after the ice-skating event, which was excellent as Dr Chill is also the BISC First Aid officer and he would not have enjoyed a night at the ER after such a lovely evening.

Well, we look forward to seeing you again at BISC during the next few weeks. Remember that as part of the Summer Program BISC will provide exam lunches (see the program or website for exact dates). BISC will be open to you during this time for lunch and reflection or advice if you require a friendly smiling face to talk to.

Regards and best wishes in this busy academic time.
Dr Chill

PHOTOS TO COME