UPDATE FROM THE CENTRE DIRECTOR

We have started working on our four official CISH movies this month; you may be contacted by one of the course directors to participate. In addition, we are commissioning two student-led films to be made by our volunteers (Poppy Gerrard-Abbott, Kristin Aakvik and Tamas Bradford). Their films, to be made with technical help from students from the Centre for Film Studies, will no doubt provide an insight into being a CISH student. I hope that these films can go live on our website in the summer term.

Survey season is upon us again and you’ll be getting a few email reminders to complete the one that is relevant to your stage of study. There is also a bit more information further down in this newsletter. The results of the student surveys are extremely important to us and very useful in terms of improving all aspects of our provision and that of the University, so please do take the time to complete one before the deadline closes.

Finally, we’d be interested to hear the views of first-year students on CISH Freshers Week this year; we are planning next October’s event now and want to know what we could do better. In terms of induction too it would be helpful to have your comments on the mentoring system that was introduced this year has been effective. Do send your thoughts to Dawn or Lyn (cish@essex.ac.uk) Professor Neil Cox

FORTHCOMING MEETINGS AND EVENTS

Student Open Art exhibition – Now open for submissions!

Whether you paint, draw, photograph, sculpt or film – whatever is your preferred way of expressing yourself, we’d love to show off your art at Art Exchange. We’re celebrating campus’s creativity with an exhibition of students’ art. Open to all University of Essex students, just drop off your art at Art Exchange anytime between now and 15 April 2013. The Student Open Art exhibition will open to the public 22 April – 4 May 2013. For further information please visit the website: http://www.artexchange.org.uk/exhibition/student-open-art-exhibition

STUDENT SATISFACTION SURVEY

The Student Satisfaction Survey will be launching this Friday (1st February). The University will be running 4 surveys with incentive prizes including i-Pads, Graduation packages and annual bus passes. Look out for details by email and posters around the University.

STUDENT ABROAD NEWS

US STUDIES FEATURE –Valeriya Paliy, studied abroad in California, USA.

The thought of studying abroad can be exciting, adventurous and amazing. But it could also bring anxiety, worry and an overload on the application process, and before you begin worrying about all the small things, you need to STOP and read this.

Studying abroad has been the most amazing experience of my life, and I am not just saying that because I had an awesome time, but because it changed me as a person. It sounds very generic when people say this, but honestly, adapting to a new and a very different culture is challenging but also rewarding. I am not saying that everybody who will go abroad will meet friends for life, but I did, and this has made me even more aware of how globalised this world can be. As an individual you have the opportunity to not only explore a different side of the world, but simultaneously you are able to find yourself. If you have ever felt that you do not fit in, or that you fit in too well, this is your chance to make yourself you.

Since coming back from my time away, I feel more focused and aware of what I need and want to achieve in the near future. The spectrum of opportunities open up in front of you once you have returned not only because you now have this amazing experience on your CV, but because you are looking for them, and you are aware of what to look for. I loved my time abroad so much, I will be applying to do a postgrad in the States after I graduate. Having the study abroad experience allows you to make those life decisions at ease, and with complete knowledge of what you have ahead of yourself.

If there is ever a time to travel to another culture, studying abroad through your University, there will never be a better time. You are fully supported by the University, your professors, and the Essex Abroad office. Similarly you have the same support at the host College or University, who want to make you as safe and as comfortable as they possibly can. The safest way to explore another culture is through studying abroad and I will recommend it to everyone and anyone.

If you have any questions about where you want to go, or how you can start the application process, visit the Essex Abroad office, they will provide you with all the information you need. But seriously, don't let it pass you by.

Year Abroad Society (YAB)

We are 4th year returning students ourselves who want to use our newly acquired experience to aid all INCOMING, OUTGOING, AND RETURNING students with their transition to and from Essex. We want to use our knowledge to make student’s experience abroad the best possible. We want to link those who have been abroad, to those who want to go abroad or those who are already there, be it by Course or by destination.
FIND US http://www.facebook.com/groups/yabsociety/

PEER MENTORING

The Peer Mentoring Scheme for first year students has been very successful particularly at the start of the academic year. We will be running it again for the next academic year and are looking for volunteer mentors. If you are interested in becoming a mentor for new students taking your degree, then please let us know by email cish@essex.ac.uk or by popping into the CISH Office 6.130.

We all come to university with different experiences and from different backgrounds. It’s a really exciting opportunity but it often involves change, which can sometimes be challenging. So, as a peer mentor, you have the opportunity to share tips on how to settle into university so that new students can make the most of their time here. As peer mentor, your mentee(s) can ask you about where to find information on anything to do with university life. It would also look great on your C.V!

In order to be a mentor you must attend training which will be run by the Students’ Union during March and June.

ATTENTION ALL FIRST YEARS - PRIZE FOR BEST MENTOR

In recognition of the work done by mentors a prize is to be awarded to the best mentor of each Department/Centre. Did you find your peer mentor helpful this year? If so, would you like to nominate your mentor to be considered for the prize? Please email cish@essex.ac.uk if you would like to nominate your mentor.

OTHER USEFUL INFORMATION

Intermission deadlines If you are considering intermission for any reason at all, please discuss with your Course Director as soon as possible and ensure you complete the relevant forms found on MyEssex to enable the Dean to approve your request. Deadline for intermission requests for final year students is 4pm on Friday 15 February 2013. For first and second years the deadline is 4pm on Friday 26 April 2013.
Have you done your Yearbook entry yet? Take a quick break from your work to make sure you are included in the Essex Yearbook! We are aiming to get every 2013 graduate included but it is not automatic. You need to download the free iPhone App (search for ‘GradFinale Yearbooks’ in the App store OR visit: http://www.gradfinale.co.uk) and spend a few minutes completing your entry and uploading your photos. It is free to have your entry published. Entries will be published in a fantastic, professionally designed and printed Yearbook - available at your Graduation in the summer. If you have started your entry but not submitted it yet, you can finish it or add extra photos by logging on at http://www.gradfinale.co.uk The Yearbook is a valuable memento of your University experience, so make sure your friends are in it too by forwarding this email to them. If you have any queries about the Yearbook, please do not hesitate to contact admin@gradfinale.co.uk
Find-your-way app gets upgrade NEW The new, upgraded version of the Find-your-way web app is now live at: http://findyourway.essex.ac.uk/RL3/UEssexC.php. This updated version of the popular digital mapping app for our Colchester Campus – that you can view online or using a smartphone (ask for more details at the IT helpdesk off Square 4) – now features nearby toilets, restaurants, and notifications of routes or lifts that are out of use, as well as a full room-finding service.
The University Skills Centre Provides support, assessment and training in key skills for academic success and employability. For example: English Language Support Classes Workshops: Reading and Note-taking, Time Management, Note-taking and Referencing, Managing Stress, Essay Planning and Revising for University Exams. The USC Learning Resource Centre located in 4.204 is open to all students as a work area and space to meet other students. The LRC offers our popular one-to-one advisor sessions. This is an opportunity for students to make an appointment with a member of the UCS/IA staff and discuss their needs/work.
Alumni Loyalty Discount Enjoying your undergraduate time at Essex? Then don’t leave! As an Essex graduate, when you apply for your first postgraduate study period with us, our Alumni Loyalty Discount will reduce your first year tuition fee by 33 per cent if you achieve a First, 25 per cent if you achieve a 2.1 and 10 per cent if you achieve a 2.2.

STAFF-STUDENT LIAISON COMMITTEE

We have recently recruited the course representatives for 2012/13. Their role is to represent you at SSLC meetings. The first meeting is on Wednesday 7th November. If you would like to raise any items for discussion, please contact your representative:

Course	Year	Representative	E-mail (add @essex.ac.uk)
EU Studies	1st year	Felicity O’Brien	Fbobri
	2nd year	Vlad Vita & Trelawney Hodgkinson	Vfvita & Tahodg
	Final year	Autumn term – Eleonore de Montjoye & Ulrich Medjiako	Edemon & Umorin
		Spring term – Ioana Gheorghe & Tamas Bradford	Ingheo & tbradf
Humanities	1st year	Oluwatonimi Popoola	Opopoo
	2nd year	Krtistan Aakvik & Poppy Gerrard-Abbott	Kaakvi & Pegerr
	Final year	Laura Aguilera Cassis	lmagui
US Studies	1st year	Elliot Lazarus & Sarah Bingham	Eslazu & Sbingha
	2nd year	Declan Proudfoot	Dproud
	Final year	Lauren Osnowski	Losnow
Latin American Studies	1st year	Vacancy*
	2nd year	Vacancy*

*If you would like to fulfil this role then please see the administrators in the CISH office (6.130) or email cish@essex.ac.uk

FACEBOOK

Please ‘like’ our Facebook Pages and make any contributions you would like to share. We would especially like to see photos and news from current and returning Study Abroad students:

Latin American Studies: http://www.facebook.com/UoE.LAS
US Studies: http://www.facebook.com/UoE.US.Studies
Humanities: http://www.facebook.com/BAHumanitiesEssex
European Studies: http://www.facebook.com/UoE.EU.Studies

One of our European Studies students has also set up a Year Abroad Society which you might like to join on Facebook.

If you have any news to share in the next edition, please email: cish@essex.ac.uk

If you would like to subscribe/unsubscribe to this Newsletter, please contact the Centre for Interdisciplinary Studies in the Humanities: cish@essex.ac.uk or 01206 872688/873845

Previous Newsletters

Issue Number 13 - February 2013 (word doc)

Issue Number 12 - January 2013 (word doc)

Issue Number 11 - November 2012 (word doc)

Issue Number 10 - October 2012 (word doc)

Issue Number 9 - March 2012 (word doc)

Issue Number 8 - February 2012 (word doc)

Issue Number 7 - January 2012 (word doc)

Issue Number 6 - December 2011 (word doc)

Issue Number 5 - November 2011 (word doc)

Issue Number 4 - October 2011 (word doc)

Issue Number 3 - May 2011 (word doc)

Issue Number 2 - April 2011 (word doc)

Issue Number 1 - March 2011 (word doc)

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