Wednesday, 9/29/04, Week 1:
Note: There was an announcement made by Heather
Abrahams before the meetins started about Amnesty International
and Free Burma. If anyone is interested in more information about
these two organizations, please contact Heather directly or if
someone has any ideas about how we can help as ISO, please suggest
it to us.
-- This was an introductory meeting so we did some icebreakers
at first, divided into partners, and introduced our partners to
each other. It was fun! Later we have decided on all activities
we will be doing this quarter and they are as follows:
1. International Dinner (6th week, Harmon Lounge) --
By far one of our biggest and most enjoyable activities. We have
divided our members into "country-groups" and each one
of those groups will cook a meal that represents that country's
culture. We have the following groups: France, Asia, Spain, Germany,
Poland, Mexico, Ecuador, Africa. Members are to give me their
recipies and/or ingredients BEFORE next Tuesday as well as write
out approximate cost of the ingredients they will use.
2. Movie Nights (When and where yet undecided) --
This Fall we are playing two movies, one from France and one from
Australia: L'Auberge Espanol, and Rabbit Proof Fence.
Watch for an email about it. We also always bring some snacks
for the movie nights.
3. Upcoming Conert Event (October 13, at Miller Auditorium)
-- There is a good international band coming over to Miller Auditorium
named "La verde Hierba" (sp?) [Green Grass]. We have
passed out a sign up sheet and a bunch of us decided to go. The
price for the tickets is about $13.00 and the concert should be
a lot of really good fun!!! If you'd like to sign up, email us
fast!
4. Trip to the Haunted House (Halloween Weekend)
-- We did this two years ago and it ended up being heaps of fun!
The haunted house is near Grand Rapids and is the biggest in Mid-West
(Old Factory turned into a Haunted Mansion). The tickets are about
$15.00. We are planning to organize a huge car-pool since many
have already signed up. This trip won't be regretted!!!
5. Other Trips (Still undecided when) -- We
are also planning short trips during some weekends this fall quarter
to go roller skating (again for some) and bowling.
IF YOU MISSED THE MEETING AND WOULD LIKE
TO SIGN UP FOR ANYTHING, PLEASE CONTACT ME VIA EMAIL AS SOON AS
POSSIBLE.
NOTE: IF ANY MEMBER OR FRIEND HAS A CAR AND WOULD LIKE
TO HELP IS WITH CAR-POOLING ALSO PLEASE EMAIL ME. IT WILL HELP
US A LOT!
Also: we had a short discussion about culture shock and the following
are the common experiences so far:
-- Food is different here
-- Names are confusing and often all seem very similar
-- People here hate when others are beeing too close (when conversing
for example) and value a certain distance from each other
THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR COMING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!