International Students' Officer

Voting's over - The results are in

2009-11-18T09:22:00.002Z

World Food Festival 2009, organised by the International Students' Committee, was THE event to be at last Saturday. National Societies from all regions of the world prepared and served traditional food from their home country for guests. As part of this, they were judged in order to establish who wins the prestigious awards which will formally be handed over at the International Cultural Evening next year.

The results were announced on stage, but for those that missed them, here they are again:

Winners of Best Stall:

The Arab Society

Runners up: The Sri Lankan Society and the Omani Society

Winners of Best Service

The Sri Lankan Society

Runners up: The Omani Society and The Arab Society

Winners of Best Food:

The Arab Society

Runners up: The Omani Society and the Sri Lankan Society

and now - Winner of the World Food Festival 2009:

The Arab Society

Second place goes to the Omani Society

Third place goes to the Sri Lankan Society

A huge thank you at this point to all the judges and all national societies for taking part.

Could you be the next Bill Gates?

2009-11-06T18:21:00.005Z

Well maybe not Bill Gates... Perhaps you might want to settle for being an employee of an internationally minded and focused conmpany. That is providing you are either international yourself or a home student that wants to work overseas. Either way here end the barriers of this sensless little introduction to a unique and excellent prgramme of the university entering it's second year:

THE Virtual International Careers Fair.

It's virtual, it's international and it's all about meeting employers from all around the world who are looking for someone exactly like YOU. For any of you that are international students here is your chance to meet people from some of the biggest graduate recruiters. UK students don't feel left out - as said before, if you wish to work overseas this is just as much an opportunity for you as well.

The best thing about it all? It's all ONLINE. It's starting Monday 9th November and simply by registering here you can be a part of it. It's running all of next week, until the 13th November and is an opportunity for all of you should not miss out on.

Speaking of not missing out on things...

--- Hungry? ---

The International Students' Committee proudly presents the biggest Food Tasting Event of the year. On Saturday 14th October, from 7.30, over ten national societies will be preparing traditional regional and national food for you to try. Right here in Sheffield in the Octagon Centre and International Food Court - next to your Union - students will be bringing the taste of their country to you.

Whether you prefer Mexican & Latin American dishes, East Asian Cuisine, Oriental Flavours or East African delights we will grant you the opportunity to taste them. Your national societies participating this year are from all 7 regions of the world and will be competing to be crowned best society of the event. Stalls will be accessible in the International Food Court (formerly Loxleys) and tables will be set up in the Octagon main hall.

In the Octagon bar area a Karaoke set will keep you busy until 1 am and in the main room we have even more. The Bollywood and Salsa Society will be making sure you are entertained throughout the night with more acts to be confirmed. From 11 am an after-party will be put on for those of you wishing to dance the night away!

The Octagon & University House
Doors 7.30pm - 2am

Tickets £4.50 advance / £5 door, available now from Box Office

Visit the Facebook page here and be a part of an excellent international event.

That's it for now. Next blog won't take this long, promise ;)

See ya Saturday!

Intro Fiesta - Council elections and a special day

2009-10-01T17:16:00.003+01:00

So, Fresher's Week is over - even the returning students have gone back to normal uni life and as the initial excitement about Sheffield Union might decrease, no is the time to be more excited than ever!

First up: Union Council:

Nominations are now open and all students are eligible to both run for a position (you can represent your department or representative group) and to vote! For many first year students this might be the first time you can vote for ANYTHING and already you have the ability to produce and help real change come to your Students Union. If you fancy running for a position have a look here http://bit.ly/Wkkq4 and best of luck!

Secondly: Intro Fiesta

It's happening, tickets are on sale and going quickly. Get yours before it is too late and come to the first massive celebration of international students. Plus, whilst you're at it - why don't you visit the official Facebook group and start making plans with your friends to come along bit.ly/4dn7Fs.

That's it for me. Last thing to say is happy birthday to Gem - have a wonderful day :)

Until next time,

Alex

International Football Session

2009-09-22T14:10:00.002+01:00

Are you an international student or do you just fancy meeting people from all around the world?

Do you like playing football?

We now offer the best-value coached football session you will ever enjoy in Sheffield. Every Wednesday at 10:00 to 11:00 at the upper pitches in Goodwin.

The best thing is it's only a pound. We will have many volunteers helping you out and don't worry about skill - it's all about having fun. It's starting tomorrow so you can simply come along (no previous signing up necessary) and play. It's that simple. Come along and play, all students are welcome.

Alex

Week one before students arrive

2009-09-07T13:39:00.002+01:00

A big hi to all.

So... summer has officially ended. Weather-wise you could argue it was never there... but it's true end is in sight, as today's Open Day gave us officers an idea of what will await us when all you students arrive starting in little more than a weeks time.

I have finished my objectives and you can all have a look at the left hand side. Let me know what you think. My emai is alex.erdlenbruch@sheffield.ac.uk - or just see me in the Union.

So what's on offer for you? Well you will have gotten YOUR Intro Week 2009 guide with all the events and activities we have on offer during Fresher's Week. Looking a bit ahead there is MORE and BETTER things awaiting.

That's right: INTRO FIESTA IS BACK. What is it you ask - wait and see, I'm not giving away everything yet. Just know it's the first of three massive, sell-out international events organised by the International Students' Committee open to all students (so to UK students there's no excuse not to go). Saturday 10th October - 9 p.m. The world is yours!

See you soon!

A very busy summer

2009-08-18T14:33:00.001+01:00

Hello, again.

I think this is the time when the fewest students are actually around the Union, yet for us officers it appears to be one of the busiest times. That being said, it probably won't compare to term-time =)

This is just a small blog to keep you up to date with my personal objectives. I have identified three areas that I'd like to work in to deliver positive change for you!

The first is representation. I'd like to increase the representation of international students both in the students Union and out University. This is vital in order to have our concerns and views heard and make sure we get value for money and a class education and experience here at Sheffield.

Secondly I'd like to make sure more of our activities and services are available and tailored for international students. This way you will see that the Union is for all students here in Sheffield that all of YOU, international and home students can shape, use and be a part of the best Students' Union in the UK.

Thirdly, I'd like to make sure that the provisions for international students by the university are truly helping to improve the student journey of all international students.

If you have any comments or suggestions as to how this might affect you as a student please send an email or come into my office anytime you want. My email address is Alex.erdlenbruch@sheffield.ac.uk

See ya

The benefits of volunteering

2009-07-24T15:42:00.001+01:00

So, graduation week is almost over, seven out of our eight officers have graduated and tonight the biggest party of the week will make the other nights out seem small and insignificant. Work-wise it has been another week of net-working, planning and objective setting.

One of the major points I have raised during my campaign was the need for international students to be more involved in Sheffield Volunteering. The benefits of this are numerous and not to be disregarded.

We international students can gain a lot from volunteering. As individuals we get to know the local community, learn about British life and traditions outside the student bubble. It means that when we're asked what life is like in Britain once we get back to our home countries we can speak not only of our experiences as students, but also as citizens of Sheffield.

Volunteering also gives us the opportunity to give something back to the city that is our host for months and years during our studies. Through it we learn vital skills, enhance our CV (in Britain volunteering is often valued higher by employers than basic work) and meet lots of like-minded people.

In the coming weeks I will aim to work in partnership with Claire, our Activities Officer, to offer you the opportunity to get engaged in Sheffield and beyond. It's an opportunity you should not miss!

Congratulations to all our graduates 2009!

Alex

It's a brand new day!

2009-07-17T12:35:00.006+01:00

So here I am, after a long handover and training that has seen some very long and tiring and many more exciting days, the time has come for my first Blog. Ever... Oh dear.

In my Blog I'll try and keep everyone up to date about what is happening in and around the Union and what we as a team and individuals are planning for the year ahead. As you can read on Martin's page our objectives are being drafted as we speak and you'll read them here first!

Wherever you come from, whatever interests you may have, the Union will be there to make the next year for all our members a special and memorable one. For now, be assured that the graduation week will be the biggest, loudest and greatest ever. Join the lucky graduates in their celebrations!

That's it for now, all there is left to say is thank you Saj for all your work last year and for helping me ease into the job, you're a legend!

Czesc

Alex x