Hi BISC Blog Fans
This blog is about the Farewell BBQ, and I don’t know about you but I found it somewhat emotional.
Unfortunately the weather was not too good, despite a really sunny on the day before, and on the day after the event, the BBQ night was for the most part held on a rainy day. Still as the old song goes, ‘Never mind the weather, so long as we’re together’. We had a professional chef who was hired to run the BBQ which left the BISC Team time to mingle and chat to you the international students. The food was wonderful, especially the pork and cider sausages and Cajun chicken. As most of the event occurred in the lounge, the smoke billowed inside, so it was as though we were outside! We, the BISC team, have got to know you over the past academic year, and we were with you in saying your goodbyes. The non alcoholic punch was very fruity. I had to eat mine with a spoon! As it was no alcoholic we called it Scrunch! There was lots of food for all tastes including vegetarian dishes. Pity though, there was no pudding! I had mine when I got home. I was talking to a French student M, who was impressed when I said that I am starting French lessons in September. She is coming back next summer to see how I get on!!
The farewell talk, given by Josh, was uplifting when he likened BISC to the Good Samaritan story in the Bible, love your neighbour as yourself. If you think of this story it has a profound meaning. Who is your neighbour? It would be like the man who was attacked being an orthodox Jew and the man who cared for him being a Palestinian! Makes you think doesn’t it!
No doubt you are looking forward to returning home with happy experiences of your time in Bristol and also hope that you had a wonderful experience of the BISC connection. Don’t forget that we live in a global village and only a phone call or email away. This was the last farewell BBQ with Hannah in charge. Indeed it is not only Hannah, who is leaving, but also Josh and Mei. This was the end of my first year at BISC, and I thank the Good Lord, I am returning next year. For me this past year has been a spiritual journey, and I know that a number of you have had a similar experience. I trust that the Farewell BBQ was the climax of your association with BISC and that you tell friends and colleagues who may be coming to Bristol in the future. Since the BBQ we now have a new pathway for the back of the kitchen to the back gate. So there you are the first change since your last visit to BISC. Next year which is only some few weeks away Jacqueline will be the new Coordinator and Ruth the Assistant Coordinator.
As you leave us to return home, perhaps via a holiday we the BISC Team would like wish you Bon Voyage and may your God go with you.
Happy rocking and rolling. The BISC Blogmaster.
