The WISC life v2.0

Regular blogger Alim updates us on life at the Wales International Study Centre now he is into his second term.

Hello everyone. Don’t let the title confuse you. It just means the second part of the WISC life. Engineering students will understand it very well

So it’s been almost two weeks since the new students arrived here at WISC. The numbers were, to be honest, quite lower than I had earlier expected. But I’ve been told that there are still a few more students to arrive. Nevertheless, I have made many new friends from the new batch of students. I need not write about their induction week as it was more or less similar to how we, the students who joined on September, had. Of course they haven’t been shown a movie (as we were) because there are, as said earlier, more students to come. For the new students reading this, don’t worry…you WILL be shown a movie.

As for us “old batch of students” or like we all say, “senior batch” (even though we are just 3 months senior to them) our second semester has begun. And to be honest, it began with a “surprise”. Don’t let the word “surprise” surprise you. We weren’t actually expecting any studies during our first day after the holidays as we weren’t given a timetable. However, we were called in the morning, given our timetables, and told that we had classes in the afternoon…something none of us students expected. That, was our “surprise”.

I did get to welcome a few of the new students. Infact, one of them thought I was a new student like him, and wondered as to how I knew about the centre so much. I introduced them to my friends, who ofcourse became their friends and their friends later became our friends and well…confusing isn’t it? Well, we ALL became friends.

The two weeks here have indeed been enjoyable as all of my friends were glad to see each other after the long break. Infact, everyone admitted that they missed the teachers, friends and WISC as a whole. I did too. Our studies have resumed to the normal pace and so has our fun

That’s all from me now. Thanks for reading!

The “Christmas City”

Regular blogger Alim has experienced the sights and sounds of the Bath Christmas Markets and shares it with us in his latest blog.

For 18 days, from the 24th of November to the 11thof December, the quaint streets and square between the stunning Bath Abbey and the internationally renowned Roman Baths, are transformed into a Christmas shopper’s haven – the Bath Christmas Market. In the heart of Bath’s main shopping district, more than a 100 traditional wooden chalets adorn the streets; each one offering unique, handmade and unusual gifts, decorations and food items – everything you will need for the perfect Christmas celebration. With the market as the highlight, the UNESCO World Heritage city of Bath is fast becoming known as ‘the Christmas City’. And we were there. The students. The teachers. All of us.On Friday, November 25th, the teachers and students of the Wales International Study Centre had organized a trip to the Bath Christmas market. We were a group of 2 teachers, and about 20 students. The students weren’t those of a particular class, rather a composite mixture of all – Foundations, Pre-Masters, International Year One, and the ELP.It was a wonderful trip where we had the chance of shopping at deeply discounted rates the most perfect gifts. It was a wonderful day, and a colourful night. The streets and the square were decorated with beautiful lights. Celebrations had begun, even though Christmas isn’t anywhere near with one more month to go.This was just one of the many refreshing breaks we had from the seriousness of class-rooms. So far, we have had trips to Cardiff, Bristol and Oxford and each one of these trips has been a source of learning as well as a great deal of fun. For those of you joining us in January, you really haven’t missed much as a lot more fun and excitement is waiting to unfold. We look forward to meeting all of you soon. Keep visiting the blog for more

Bath Christmas Markets

Introducing Oscar Cruz

Oscar Cruz, originally from Mexico, is a new addition to our Wales bloggers. Oscar will be blogging in his native language of Spanish. He speaks two languages, Spanish, English and is learning French, something he is keen to pursue by spending time in the France. Welcome Oscar!

Oscar Cruz from Mexico

Hola a todos! Mi nombre es Oscar Cruz y vengo de un maravilloso país, México.

Esta es una breve descripción sobre mí:  soy una persona muy amigable, me gusta pasar tiempo con mis amigos y mi familia. Disfruto hacer actividades al aire libre, suelo correr por las tardes (cuando no está lloviendo… el clima aquí en UK es muy raro). Me gusta aprender distintos idiomas, hasta el momento hablo Español que es mi lengua materna, Inglés y un poco de Francés. Por tal motivo quiero ir a Francia y perfeccionar el famoso “idioma del amor”.  Me encanta escuchar música de todo tipo, también me gusta ver películas, etc.

Pero bueno, la razón por la cual escribo aquí es porque quiero compartir con todos ustedes mis experiencias como estudiante de WISC, así que aquí voy.

En el 2009 vine a UK para estudiar Inglés, estuve en Oxford y desde el primer día supe que si bien era mi primera vez en territorios británicos, no sería la última. Y dos años después heme aquí otra vez, ahora estudiando mi  International Foundation Year en el Wales International Study Centre. Llegué en septiembre del presente año y desde entonces todo ha marchado muy bien. Las clases son muy interesantes, los profesores sin duda están muy capacitados y mis compañeros son muy amigables. No he pasado más que momentos de diversión y aprendizaje en todos los sentidos. Desde el área académica, hasta el área personal. He aprendido a hacerme valer por mí mismo, mis habilidades para la cocina mejoran cada día así como mi Inglés.

En conclusión puedo decirles que si están pensando en venir a Galés y prepararse para la universidad, sin duda alguna WISC les brindará todas las herramientas necesarias para lograrlo. Conocerán a gente de todo el mundo quienes les enseñaran a ver las cosas desde un punto de vista diferente.  Pero lo más importante, comenzarán la aventura de su vida.

Cardiff Bay + Hollywood Bowling Centre

Regular blogger Alim provides us with a visual insight into the induction week with a picture slide show!

Hello everyone. This time, I’m just going to let the pictures speak for themselves. This is a slideshow of the Cardiff bay trip that WISC organized for us as a welcome. Remember in my earlier blog post? I had told you that after the movie night, WISC takes us to Cardiff bay for a time you will never forget.

Anyway, here is the slideshow. Enjoy

http://flic.kr/s/aHsjwGNR1J

A little about the induction week (the boring part, and the fun part)

Mohammed Alim, our new Wales blogger tells us what to expect during your induction week. 

Cardiff City

The induction week is the week in which all students are given information about their courses, and are helped settle down. It is an entire week before the studies begin. You fill out forms, forms and guess what…more forms. It is also a week in which you get to know your friends, teachers and everyone with whom you’ll be spending the next 9 months with. Don’t let the words “forms” turn you off though, as filing out those forms with your new friends is fun as well.

Like I said, you get to meet new people. But also visit new places. The induction week is supposed to help a student settle down, and therefore, the teachers @ WISC also encourage students to go to the town centre and visit local areas so that the students have an idea as to where to go when it comes to shopping needs and so on.

You spend about three days filling in forms (I know your eyes are wide open now). I know this may sound tiring already, but it really isn’t. Three days doesn’t really mean 72 hours. You just fill them for about 15 minutes each day (You may take a big sigh now) .

What about the other four days? Well, during these days, you are distributed your student handbooks, local information, maps, papers and so on. For those students who have to register with the police, they will be sent in a group.

Over the waters at Cardiff Bay

Boring stuff…isn’t it?  Here’s where the fun part comes. After all your paperwork is done with, WISC will organize a movie night, in which students will be shown a movie in WISC itself. And what’s a movie night without popcorn and pizza?  Don’t worry. WISC has got it all.

The fun doesn’t stop there. The next day, WISC will organise a trip to Cardiff city, and all students will be taken to a bowling centre for a game of bowling. It is that place, where you make your new friends. After the game of bowling, the students are encouraged to go over to the Cardiff bay (which is just about 5 minutes walking distance from the bowling centre). You will be amazed by the beauty of that place.

My friends and I have enjoyed each and every day of the induction week and I hope you will as well. Of course you will.

This is all about the induction week that every student has to go through when he/she arrives at WISC. If you need more information, feel free to leave comments. They will all be answered.

That’s it from me now. Stay tuned in for more.

Introducing Mohammed Alim

Mohammed Alim, originally from India tell us about his experience of the Wales ISC, his study asperations and all about what you can expect from student life!

Alim Mohammed from India

Hello everyone. Since this is my first post, let me introduce myself.

I am Mohammed Alim, from India. I had my early education in India, Malaysia and finally in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. I am at WISC to do my Foundation in Business, Law and Social Science. A few more years of study in Accounting and Finance should enable me to seek a career with financial institutions. I have a fascination for the ones focusing on development and social sector. A Bachelor’s in Accounting and Finance from Cardiff University is the immediate target. I like photography, editing and designing as a hobby.

It is my fourth week here at WISC. But I guess, I cannot easily forget my first day here at WISC. I had of course, googled into Cardiff, Newport and Carleon several times from my Jeddah home computer. But the feel of being there in person was completely different. Certainly, I was a little unsure and tired, a week too early perhaps. My future friends were slowly trickling in. The place appeared new and somewhat lonely to me. But it wasn’t long before I found my new family here.

The teachers over here are very friendly. It is almost impossible not to notice the personal care and concern they display for every student. It is natural that most of us have some problems or the other from time to time. And it is always reassuring to know that we have someone to turn to. Indeed our teachers invite us to share with them even “problems related to heart”…you know what I mean. They are our teachers and friends rolled into one.

Now, about the WISC facilities. I was fascinated by the architectural design of the building. It is a blend of modern art, and futuristic looks. Facilities provided to all students are one of a kind, with the implementation of the latest methods of learning. I must say, with the teacher to student ratio of about 1:10, and the method used, learning itself is an experience which you will never forget.

I have made a lot of friends over here. They are from many different countries…… like Japan, China, Turkmenistan, India, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Mexico, Egypt, Russia, Kenya and more. Life is good and moving at a brisk pace.

Accommodation is pretty cool here. I live in an en-suite accommodation sharing a kitchen and a flat with 4 others. The standard accommodation is pretty good as well. However, you have to be little more patient sharing facilities with 14 other people. Some are fine with it, some are not. It all depends on your choice.

Transportation is not at all a problem. We have regular bus services from the campus bus station, and are given student passes at very deep-discount prices. The bus takes us to the Newport Bus station, where a number of shops are located. Shops for ready-to-eat food, groceries, clothes, music, telephone deals and lots more. All can be found at one place.

As a practicing Muslim, it was never too hard for me either to locate halal food or a place where I can offer prayer. The people over here respect diversity in beliefs and cultures. During the first few days itself, I could locate several places where I can enjoy my favorite chicken biryani.

It takes some time for a new student to adapt to the new life over here, but it doesn’t take long before he/she is a part of a new family at WISC. All in all, life at WISC is one you will never forget.

That’s all from me now. I will be regularly posting my experiences here at the blog. Stay tuned for more

Raisa updates us on her progress at Cardiff University

Former ISC student Raisa Mia updates us on her progress now she is studying at Cardiff University.

Hello everyone!

This is my second year in Cardiff University and the experience has been most appealing. I have enjoyed most of my tutorials and lectures, especially now in the second year as my time-table is more relaxed and I have more free time to catch up with friends. I joined a few societies within the University, where one includes the Malaysian society that allows me to meet fellow Malaysians studying in Cardiff. The society as I heard is the largest Malaysian society throughout the UK. The people are very friendly and active in the association, organising ‘meets and greets’ as well as a music production that is being held every year in Cardiff. It is the highlight of the year for Malaysian students, enabling them to audition and shine by showing off their talents on stage. The production is open to the public to provide them with a creative performance from Malaysia, which is very creative, colourful and culturally diverse. Last week at the society meeting, I met Liyana who was also a student at WISC. She joined a year after I left. It was so exciting to meet someone who studied the same course I did, especially when it is at the same place I studied. She is now doing her first year law degree, and I’m hoping she will enjoy her student life here as much as I am. The law school arranges a variety of activities for the students to get the most out of their student years in Cardiff, and the most exciting ones are the annual trips abroad such as to Amsterdam and Paris. Not only will you get to know your course mates better, you will also be able to explore Europe and experience journeys to places you’ve never been to!

Life at Wales International Study Centre

Engineering and Science Foundation student, Hamad Al Abdi tells Raisa Mia what he likes about studying at Wales International Study Centre and life in Wales.

 

 

Raisa’s video interview

We gave blogger Raisa Mia a camera to interview her classmates about studying at the International Study Centre. Here Saudi student,  Mohammed Al Sulmi talks about the foundation year and future plans.

 

 

Introducing Tural

Tural Akhundov, originally from Azerbaijan writes about his time at the International Study Centre and his favourite things to do with his friends. 

 

“There are many good Universities in Baku, Azerbaijan, which I could go, to further my studies. However, I chose the Wales International Study Centre in Newport because I wanted change, a change in experience. This includes the area I would like to be in, new friends I would like to meet, and a new education system, which I would like to be involved in.  

Raisa and I

Before I entered WISC, I studied the English Language in Oxford to prepare myself for the British education system, and the Foundation Programme. The many subjects that I learnt in Newport are Business Management, Business Law, Accounting, Economics, Math, and English. These subjects will be very helpful for me in the future as I wish to become a businessman, my studies in the University will also be easier because I have studied the basic knowledge of Business in the centre. Upon starting the Foundation Course, we are able to choose the study stream we want to study, either Science, or Business. This will lead students on the right subjects to study.     

Me with all my ISC friends

I made a lot of friends in WISC, especially when living on campus. I had the chance to interact more with my classmates, and make new friends. The things that I could do there with my friends include, having barbecues, studying together after class, using the sports facilities on campus such as gym or tennis, and also enjoy myself at the bar where they provide you with a pool table to play, foosball, and also the Wii game.   

 

I am happy to have been there, because without the teachers in WISC, and friends, which I’ve met, firstly, I will not be here writing this blog, I would not have gained so much knowledge and have confidence in myself, and lastly, I would not have learned the many interesting cultures and backgrounds of people from various countries. I am happy, and proud to have studied in WISC.”