The International Students’ Campaign (ISC) is one of the Oxford University Student Union’s six autonomous equal opportunity campaigns. We are a student run organization committed to representing and improving the welfare of the 6,500 international students from 139 different countries at our University. We understand how hectic and bewildering it is upon arrival at Oxford, and one of our key objectives is to make the transition easier. Our projects in the past have included the Insurance Workshop for International Students, the International Ice Cream and Brownie Night, International Brunch and the annual Oxford International Festival.
Oxford has a large international student population, but spread out in different colleges, the students are not very well connected. We aim to provide an inter-college social platform by organizing opportunities for international students to meet and bond with each other.
This term we helped organize the competition for the National Societies Grant with International Strategy, and awarded £300 to the Oxford University Korea Society for their Soul of Seoul event, £300 to the Oxford University Asia-Pacific Society for their Asian Foods and Arts Festival, and £150 to the Oxford University Lithuanian Society for their Commemoration of Lithuanian Independence event.
This term we are also holding the International Festival, the second biggest event in Oxford of the year next to the Fresher Fair. Last year, we had over 1500 visitors, including the University’s Vice Chancellor, and this year, we are expecting even more. The event will take place from 11am to 4pm on Sunday 2nd March at the Oxford Town Hall. It is free entry, and will include stalls representing Oxford’s national and cultural societies selling unique items and cuisine from their homeland at a low price. There will also be performances through the afternoon, showcasing some of Oxford’s most talented cultural troupes. In future, we plan to have Easter Drinks to gather together both international and British students who stay in Oxford over the break. Next year, we’re planning to work with international reps of each college and the national societies in Oxford to have weekly afternoon tea events and even hold a ball.
Aside from strengthening the international community at Oxford, we try to problem-solve for international students. Some international students feel coming to Oxford is a leap into the unknown, and while the international reps of each college help deal with welfare problems, some international students still not well-integrated into the college system. In an effort to serve those students, we’re providing a university-level help channel.
