Introducing the International Student Community Café

NEWS AND UPDATES

Introducing the International Student Community Café

Since the beginning of the academic year the ‘International Advice Team’ within Student Life have hosted a series of monthly International Student Community Café events supported by colleagues in Student Life, Student Experience, the Students’ Union (SU), the Chaplaincy and other support services. The Community Café provides a forum for our international students to meet and support one another and engage with student services, and the varied calendar of events are open to all international students at the University.

Events so far have included; a guided walking tour of the historic Ipswich Waterfront, followed by a delicious afternoon tea; a poster making activity exploring what international students choosing to study with us can expect, and our December event was looked at ‘Christmas and celebrations around the world’ and making festive decorations.

Susan, a BA (Hons) Childhood student from France has particularly enjoyed the sessions as she has been able to network with other international students that she might not have met otherwise.

Following the successful launch of the Community Café last term, we have recently been awarded funding from the Student Experience Fund to help us deliver planned activities this semester to include sessions supported by Careers and Employability giving students top‑tips for creating a standout CV, jobhunting support, and information on the Graduate Route Visa scheme. Another session offered by Disability and Wellbeing will explore ways to cope with home sickness and culture shock, and we hope to end the semester with a trip exploring local treasures in Suffolk such Sutton Hoo or Framlingham Castle and finish with a coastal trip to Aldeburgh for fish and chips on the beach.

An important aspect of our Community Café is to share food and we offer free refreshments for the students at every event and include a selection of hot and cold drinks, cakes and on occasion we plan to offer a small meal too.

The Student Experience Fund will also be supporting our first International Spring Festival to celebrate our international student community. We hope to hold a week of events focused on learning about different cultures and customs. Ideas so far include a poster competition, opportunities to explore culture, food, language, music, dance and art. Students will be invited to showcase their home country and we will create a fun atmosphere celebrating our rich diversity. We will also use this opportunity to exhibit international opportunities to our students and promote the new Turing Scheme and the final Erasmus grant opportunities.

For more information on the International Student Community Café, or if you have an idea for our International Spring Festival, please email the International Advice Team in Student Life internationaladvice@uos.ac.uk

HEALTH AND WELLBEING QUARTER UPDATE

We are very much in the final stages of the new Health and Wellbeing Quarter.

For those that have looked across at the old East Building when on campus, you will have seen the new lift tower that stands tall and rises above the building like a beacon. The glazing works on the tower have now been completed along with the majority of all the interior fittings.

This means that the final works to the new clinic rooms are underway, and we are looking to complete things in the coming weeks. We can then start the landscaping works which will become a lovely, open area, forming a gateway to the super new build.

The Digital and IT fit‑out is going well and over the next few weeks the user equipment will start to be installed. Alongside this, the furniture and specialist equipment will begin to arrive and be put into place.

We are so looking forward to the next few weeks and then to the opportunity to welcome people into the building which will be a statement for not just the University, but also a landmark for the local partnerships.