Introduction to the Campaign

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS’ CAMPAIGN An OUSU Equal Opportunities Campaign

About Us

The International Students’ Campaign (ISC) is one of six autonomous, equal opportunities campaigns of the Oxford University Student Union (OUSU). We have a broad mandate to represent and act in the interests of the over 6,500 international students at the University of Oxford, who make up a third of the total student body, including 14 per cent of full-time undergraduates and 63 per cent of full-time graduate students. As a campaign, we aim to be as inclusive as possible in our definition of what makes a student ‘international’. While it clearly encompasses those who are non-UK citizens and/or pay university fees at the overseas rate, it can also include anyone who comes from, or identifies strongly with, a country other than the United Kingdom.
We welcome the participation of all students at the University of Oxford who are interested in issues affecting international students, regardless of nationality or ethnic background.

We meet regularly each term and anyone may request to become a member of the Campaign at any time by emailing us at internationalstudents@ousu.org or by attending one of our open meetings to find out more about who we are and what we do.

Our Aims

We aim to
• Represent and voice the problems, interests and experiences of international students;
• Engage and involve all students on the issues affecting international students;
• Provide support to University national interest societies and International/Overseas Representatives at
colleges in their work on these issues;
• Serve as a unifying forum for discussion and action on them.

Our Structure

As an autonomous campaign, we have our own constitution. Our executive committee is responsible for the day-to-day running of the Campaign and is staffed entirely by student volunteers.

Committee 2008-9

Co-Chairs  -Angel Sarmiento & Liew Shang Zhao
Treasurer  -Sinni Lim
Membership Secretary   -Sanam Khanchandani
Social Secretary  -Xander Tze Siang Chong
Welfare Officer -Charlotte Yan
Campaigns Officers -Heather Kincaide & Nikita Malik
Publicity Officer   -Emmanuel Forlemu
OUSU Sabbatical Officer -Kaushal Vidyarthee  (Graduates@ousu.org)

The ISC Committee is responsible to the OUSU Vice-President for Graduates, the sabbatical officer who oversees international student matters, and also works closely with the OUSU International Students Officer, a member of the part-time executive. The current VP (Graduates) is Kaushal Vidyarthee, and the International Students Officer is Sinni Lim.

Our Projects

Our projects for the 2007-2008 academic year focus on improving the representation and welfare of international students across the University as well as celebrating and raising awareness of the cultural diversity of the University and city of Oxford.

1. Campaign for Representation: The ISC is striving to expand the representation of international students across the University by proposing the election of International Students’ Representatives on all JCR/MCR committees. A number of colleges, including St. Hugh’s, St. Peter’s, Oriel and Pembroke,
among others, have already shown a strong commitment to international students’ issues through their International/Overseas Students’ Representatives, and we are committed to supporting them in their
advocacy and welfare responsibilities.

2. International Students’ Handbook: As part of our commitment to international student welfare, we have conceived of an International Students’ Handbook, which will be written by international students for international students. It will provide information and advice on a variety of topics ranging from practical necessities such as banking, healthcare and transportation to the cultural aspects of adjusting to life in the University and in the UK. It is intended to serve mainly as a pre-arrival guide for new international students but should also be a useful, reference tool for those continuing their studies. We aim to make it available for free to all international students both in print and electronic form.

3. Welfare Clinics: Seminars on careers and work regulations in the UK have proved extremely popular among international students in the past. This year we have organised a panel discussion, in collaboration with the University Careers Service, which brings the experts to Oxford in Trinity Term. The panel includes recent international alumni of the University, a representative from a recognised city-based firm specialising in immigration law as well as the Assistant Director of the Careers Service.

4. International Students’ Campaign Newsletter: This weekly newsletter lists the many international themed events taking place in both the University and city of Oxford. It is publicised on the OUSU website and is also distributed via our mailing list. We hope that it will provide a basis for cooperation and synergy among groups with an international focus. This is particularly valuable in the context of a decentralised University. Through this newsletter, we also aim to raise awareness and promote interest in the variety of cultural and international activities held in Oxford among the general student
population.

5. Oxford International Festival: The ISC’s most ambitious event of the year was the Oxford International Festival (OIF) in Hilary Term, a week-long cultural extravaganza beginning with a fiveday showcase of international events in the University and culminating in a day-long International Fair at Keble College. The Festival was a great success: a total of 28 societies and more than 200 staff, students and members of the community were involved in the organisation of the Festival, with more than 500 people attending the Fair alone. We hope to make the Festival an annual event.

Your Involvement

Opportunities for involvement include, but are not limited to:
• Attending open meetings of the ISC each term;
• Recommending future advocacy campaigns or issues for welfare clinics;
• Working with the ISC Campaigns Officers and International/Overseas Representative at your
college for the implementation of advocacy campaigns and welfare services;
• Serving on the International Students’ Handbook Team;
• Joining the next Oxford International Festival Organising Committee.

We look forward to working with you and for you. We encourage you to get involved in our campaign to further the interests of all international students at the University of Oxford. Please get in touch with us by email at internationalstudents@ousu.org.