Go Connect Jan. 2015

GO CONNECT ISSUE 04 / Jan 2015

CONTENTSOur Events 4-7Culture Festival Go Connect is a quarterly magazine produced by the International Office at the University of Hull. Any Questions? Email: [email protected] Tel: (+44) 0 1482 462 013 Snapguides Volunteers 8-11 12 14

Welcome toGOCONNECT Welcome to the Forth edition of Go Connect’s new online magazine created for our students. Why? So many of you already share your uni experience with us via social media, but you might not see what other students are doing. In fact, the content included in this magazine is created to encourage current stu- dents to have a International experience. The other reason, we are proud to be an International Community and want to share our events and activities; whether it is celebrating Carnival Day, visiting British towns and learning new languages and showcasing cultures in a week long festival. So don’t forget to share these highlights; whether they are for you, or even if you want to share them with friends further a field. Whether you study online, or on-campus, an important part of your time at universi- ty is forming friendships. Check out our social media networks for meeting new peo- ple, learning about cultures and seeing what opportunities are on offer. This magazine is about you! Tell us what you think, get involved and share your experiences. We can’t wait to hear from you. Pssst… don’t forget to 'like' our Facebook page to keep up-to-date with all our latest events, competitions and opportunities for UK & International Students.

The Largest Student Network in Hull University Welcome Every Student to Go Connect and to Enjoy Our Cultural EvCULTURAL CAMPUS:BREAKING RECORDAFTER RECORD With over 2,000 students registered withGoConnect we are the largest student Networkoncampus.Wehavehadover1,770studentsattend oureventsinsemester1and over25,000engagedinoursocialmedia platforms.,breakinglastyearengagementrecord. Wehavemorethan75 volunteersandorganised 19events lastsemestermakingusthebest place for international students to experience the best of Hull!4

esvents: T he University of Hull Go Connect Network Here at Go Connect we made it our priority to managed to break all the records this se- help students interact with each other in a inter- mester. Here is a summary of what hap- active environment. For this we organised pened so far: monthly Global Café sessions where they got the In the first semester of 2014-2015 academ- chance to meet new people, discover new cul- ic year we had a wide variety of events for tures such as Diwali, and learn more about ouryou to enjoy and they were all for FREE! There is events. These events were attended by 120 stu-something for everyone and we’re sure you had a dents.great experience just by looking at the numbers. On 5th of November Go Connect organised a trip to Beverly to celebrate Bonfire Night. This wasThis semester alone we had 75 volunteers regis- another chance for international students totered with us, compared to last year’s 45. Moreo- experience and learn new things about Britishver, our Welcome Week Picnics from June – Sep- culture. The event was a huge success being at-tember were a great success. We provided lovely tended by over 165 students.events, buffets and performances all of which were The Beverly Festival of Christmas and the Victori-attended by 680 students and staff members. an Market were our last trips in semester 1. BothOur September Welcome Week events were very of them enjoyed a great attendance with 84 stu-popular amongst students as well, with over 200 dents attending each trip. Students were able toattendees for the first Quiz night where students enjoy a re-enactment Victorian carriage rides andgot special prizes for winning. We took 84 interna- a big variety of stalls selling festive food and gifts.tional students to the annual Hull Fair event where Last but not least, our Christmas gathering werethey had the chance to win prizes and enjoy the a big success having 80 international studentsrides. attending. Students had the opportunity to shareSome of our activities included taking students to their traditional Christmas dishes and create theirsee the Orchestra in Hull. We had 2 events of this own festive decorations.manner all of which have been attended by 150students in total, with good feedback wanting From behalf of Go Connect team we would like tomore. We also encouraged students to learn new thank everyone for attending our events andlanguages by joining our free Language Bite ses- making it a great year so far and we hope we willsions. Every month we had a selection of different see you in the second semester for our biggestlanguages to learn as well as new people to meet. events: Chinese New Year, Brazilian Carnival 5These events were attended by over 50 students. and Cultural Festival.

LOOK OUT FOR...Chinese New Year Carnival DayCelebrate the Lunar festival during Join the fun with our Carnival Dayour annual Chinese New Year event event to celebrate Brazilian cultureThursday, February 19, 2015 Monday, March 2, 20151pm All DayInternational Office, Dennison Centre International Office, Dennison CentreTo celebrate Chinese New Year Go Connect are organising To celebrate the Brazilian Carnival celebrations we area fantastic event open to all students on campus, of all going to be hosting some mini events that showcasenationalities which will be held on 19th of February. The Brazil's Culture & Traditions.event itself will be filled with live music, entertainment anda buffet. There are 6 interactive workshops that include Last years event was a great success and we want to buildcalligraphy, craft work, tangram puzzle session, mah-jong, on that popularity. We will be hosting sports activities,Chinese zodiac & Horoscopes, tradition & dress and Chi- food tastings and a film screening. All students are encour-nese lantern riddles and wishes. aged to come along and take part and celebrate a tradi- tion of carnival that stretches across the globe from Portu-The purpose of this annual event is to engage students gal, to America and of course, Brazil!from different backgrounds with the Chinese culture byproviding a variety of interactive activities and learning For more information checkout our Facebook page; UoHworkshops. Go ConnectLanguage Bites - Want to learn a language but don't have the time? Then join Go Connect for our Language Bitesessions with the University of Hull Language Institute. There will be FREE session every month with a selection of differentlanguage to learn, as well as new people to meet.For more information on all our events then visit www.hull.ac.uk/goconnectAlternatively you can check out our Facebook page by searching UoHGoConnect or email [email protected]

In the 2014/2015 academic year we have a wide variety of events for you to enjoy, all forFREE! Our events celebrate culture and Global Learning. There is something for everyoneand we’re sure you’ll have a great experience. We ‘ve listed a few highlights from semester 2to look out for… 7

C ULTFESTIVAL

T UR EL 2015 Our annual 5 day festival to celebrate culture at Hull University. With Bazaars, food tastings, music and film we will be exploring everything global. We want you to come along and join in the experience!

“These friends are who I will remembermost and have been the greatest part ofstudying at Hull.”The International Culture Festival is an Guest Speakeraction packed week of activities and Our guest speaker for the Business School will beevents to celebrate and showcase our talking to students and staff about internationalisa-different cultural groups. The week aims tion an d how it is relevant to students. There will beto encourage students to Go Global by a Q&A session after the lecture has finished.bringing together students and staff fromhome & abroad. From various internation- Global Quiz Nightal films to the Culture Bazaar and Flag This annual event has always been very popularparade, we're sure there will be something attracting over 200 students each year. The eveningfor everyone. We would also like to say a will be filled with a global quiz, fun activities andbig thank you to all the students involved prizes to be won! There will also be a free interna-in making this happen, we look forward to tional buffet for all students participating in thisseeing you all during the week! event. This is very popular so it will be a first come, first serve event!Monday 20 AprilFlag ParadeA chance to experience all the different nationalgroups on campus, witness some traditional danceat our flag parade . Students and staff will be repre-senting their heritage through music and dance.Q&A Study AbroadThis session is a great opportunity for students todiscover their options when in comes to studyingabroad. You will have a chance to speak to studentsand staff about semester studies and summerprogrammes.International Film ScreeningA popular event from last year is our film screening.We will be screening 2 exciting international films onculture and diversity.Tuesday 21 AprilGlobal Careers SessionThis is an important session for students to under-stand the influence of having a global perspective inthe work place. This session will explore how to ‘goglobal’ and stand out in an international jobsmarket.

Wednesday 22 April Friday 24 AprilLanguage Bite Session Language Bite SessionTake part in our monthly sessions for free! Theses Take part in our monthly sessions for free! Thesessessions give all students a chance to learn a new sessions give all students a chance to learn a newlanguage at an introductory level. language at an introductory level.Culture Bazaar International Football CompetitionOne of the highlights of our festival is the Culture The Sports Centre and Go Connect have come to-Bazaar. This will involve groups of students repre- gether to organise our version of the World Cup!senting their nationality and culture. Each student Students will have the opportunity to join nationalgroup will be allocated their own tent or stall to teams in a group & knockout football tournament .display their culture, facilitate any workshops oncrafts or writings and of course to share their cultur- HUU Global Party Nightal food with everyone. There will also be opportuni- Our finale event will be the perfect way to finish ourties for groups to perform traditional music and week of events off with a bang. The ISA and HUUdance. have organised a party to celebrate culture .We want you to engage with different cultures, tohave a taste of something new and discover new We will be sending out online forms for any stu-worlds! dents to represent their country / culture in our Culture Bazaar. Students involved will receiveChinese Character Workshop between £50 - £75 in expenses.This session will give students an opportunity learnChinese Characters, practice their own characters For more information on how you can beand practice their Chinese writings. involved in any of our events during this weeks programme you can email us or check out ourThursday 23 April Facebook page to sign up;British Comedy Session Email: [email protected] by Business School lecturer John Munro Facebook: UoH Go Connectthis event something very fun and exciting. Comealong and be prepared to laugh your socks off! “The best thing is the sense of freedomPhotography Exhibition you feel to be able toFollowing last years very popular Culture Exhibition explore the world” 9we are working with Photography enthusiast againto bring you another innovative exhibition, display-ing culture and skill in the world of photography.

Tours, Guides, Advice and more...How to Get to know How to Adapt to UK How to Celebrate Chinese NewYearHull City Shock Part 1 & 2 It has become a tradition for the pastWhen you move into a new city it can When you first move into a new cultural few years for GO Connect to organise abe quite difficult to find your way Chinese New year event in campus.around. We hope this snap guide will context it can be quite difficult to know Each year we had various performances,help new students to discover Hull from dragon dances to traditionalCity centre in a more interactive way. what to say and how to behave. The games, and many more accompanied byIt’s easy to access and it provides a traditional buffet. This snap guide willphotos of all the tourist attractions purpose of this guide is to provide an help you to prepare for Chinese Newavailable. It’s a great way to explore Year and follow the traditions.the Capital of Culture 2017 and dis- insight on the British culture and pre-cover the best bits! How to Celebrate pare future students for the cultural Mardi GrasHow to Know What shock. Go Connect is celebrating Brazilianto do During Culture and we thought we would start It is useful to follow these snap guides with Mardi Gras/Carnival. This is anWelcome Week annual event to celebrate Spring and because they can help you to adapt Ash Wednesday. Here are steps to cele-This snap guide is designed to pro- brate yourself.vide information on what to expect more quickly by giving future studentsduring Welcome Week. Before the Every month there will be a new Go Con-beginning of the academic year, The some basic guidance on what to do and nect Snapguide so make sure you keep upInternational Office organizes various to date!events throughout a week for new what not to do in UK.students in order to help them with To access any of our FREE guides simplythe new change. During that week Snapguide is a free iOS visit www.snapguide.com and search forthere are airport pick ups and many app and web service Go Connect. Alternatively you can down-other social events organised by Go for those that want to load the iOS app to your smartphone andConnect or Students Union, all hav- create and share step- instantly access our guides.ing the same purpose: a better inte- by-step \"how togration of all students. guides.\" The service provides easy to under- stand instructions for a wide array of topics including cooking, crafts, do-it-yourself projects, tips, enter- taining and more.

How to Adapt to UK Shock Part 1 How to Adapt to UK Shock Part 2How to Adapt to get to know Hull City

VOLUNTEERING ISGLOBAL You don't need to leave the campus to have an International Experience....More and more Graduate employers are look- These skills categories includes both verbal anding for students with International experience. written skills. Undertaking this role shouldWhy? Well it's simple. An International experi- equip you with the ability to describe your workence gives students the tools and opportunities succinctly and clearly to others; to present yourto communicate effectively, develop people skills effectively to an audience at interviewsmanagement skills and importantly network! and seminars and to answer questions andHere at the University of Hull's Go Connect further develop ideas both verbally and in writ-Network we provide opportunities for students ing for job interviews and applications.to achieve an international experience without Volunteering is itself an exercise in criticaleven leaving the campus! Our volunteer roles thinking, and the best evidence you will haveare catered to all students on campus wishing that you have attained this skill is your success-to develop their skills and get a head start in ful practice in activities. However, there will bethe graduate race. We not only provide oppor- many steps on the way to reaching this mile-tunities to develop communication, network- stone that will function as evidence of criticaling and leadership skills but also provide men- thinking skills as well. Interaction with studentstoring and development plans for students to will assist you in honing critical thinking skills,achieve their goals. as well as your communication skills.Every student volunteer receives an in-depth Volunteers receive a certificate of recognition,Development Portfolio to support their devel- an award and extra Career workshops designedopment, which details the 6 key skills every to help nurture the experiences learnt alongvolunteer can achieve in the role. These are the way. They are also able to use this role toCommunication / Critical Thinking / Leader- enter into the Hull Award and receive furthership / Networking / Enterprise / Research. Every recognition from the University. Volunteeringvolunteer has the opportunity to develop their with Go Connect is a great way to boost yourexperience of these skills throughout the year CV and develop your skills for the future.with the Go Connect team. These are an im-portant part of every volunteers development. Email [email protected] to find out more!Ben Hall - Law Student, 3rdYearBen has been a Go Connect volunteer for 3 years! He has assisted with large scaleevents such as Chinese New Year and the annual International Culture Festival whichhad over 1,000 people attending.Raluca Nechita - Sociology, 3rdYearRaluca has been involved with Go Connect for 2 years and has been a volunteer for all ourInternational Welcome Weeks, supporting & welcoming in over 1500 students to Hull.She now works in the International Office supporting our International Students.



Next Events... Chinese New Year 2015 Carnival Day Culture Festival 2015 International Welcome Weeks Plus Language Bites, Global Café, Orchestra Events! For further information or any comments about this magazine, please email us. Photography by Raluca N Nechita If you wish to include news, please contact us a week beforehand You can get more information on Facebook: UoH Go Connect or visit www.hull.ac.uk/goconnectContact usEmail: [email protected]: www.hull.ac.uk/goconnectAddress: International Office, University of Hull, Hull, East Yorkshire, HU6 7RX