Our mission is to serve all international students in Bristol, by creating an inclusive and friendly community that helps them to feel welcome and settled in our city.
There is a lot of expectations for international students to work hard and achieve high grades whilst studying in Bristol. Over many years at Bristol International Student Centre (BISC), we realise that this has been a big pressure on student's mental and emotional health. Many students find themselves locked away in the rooms studying and increasing social isolation, despite being surrounded by 1000s of other students. The statistics from University of Bristol's Wellbeing Survey 2021 give a glimpse at the challenges facing universities.
At BISC, we want to continue to grow smaller spaces where community is built to welcome and support international students. For example, specific events (craft nights, gardening groups, specific interest-focused events/groups, wellbeing groups), volunteering opportunities across the city, etc... These will all be spaces for smaller groups of people where friendship and support can grow.
Here is one student's recent thoughts about BISC - "[Before coming to BISC] I became reluctant to talk to people due to the many difficult things that happened since I came to Bristol. But because of the time I spend with BISC, I am willing to speak my mind. I feel that people here are really listening to me, helping me to explore possible solutions and wanting me to be happy. I don't feel like I have a sense of belonging anywhere else in Bristol, but I do here."
BISC is a Christian charity that has been at the heart of international student welcome in Bristol for over 45 years. We welcome international students from all faiths and no faith, from every race, culture and background.
We want to connect with supporters, volunteers, current and past students who have been involved in the BISC community to help contribute to building new initiatives that support international students' wellbeing whilst they are in Bristol. Please give generously!