Spring Term Programme 2025
Check out what’s on offer this autumn!
Sign up to our What’s On email!
Get our weekly emails with news, details and tickets for events coming up - the perfect way to stay in touch with the international community!
Wednesday lunch
If you're an International student in Bristol, we would love to invite you along to our weekly Wednesday lunch.
Come and eat with us, learn about the city and chat to other students. It's a relaxed, family-like atmosphere. Our team of volunteers will prepare a hot meal, fruit and cakes.
This event runs every Wednesday at the BISC Centre (45 Woodland Rd) from 12pm - 2pm.
Entry costs a bargain £5. You can pay on the door or click HERE to book your ticket!
Sign up to our weekly What’s On email and hear about all the events coming up!
If your financial situation is preventing you from attending our events, please get in touch. We would like to support you.
The Alpha Course
BISC are taking a group of international students along to Woodlands Church’s Alpha Course.
This is a FREE 10-week course about the Christian faith running on Wednesday evenings (7.30-9.30pm).
Every evening will begin with a free hot meal and cake. Then we will hear a short talk about one aspect of the Christian faith - for example "Who is Jesus?". After this, you'll have time to discuss your views, experiences and ask any questions you have in your small group.
The small groups will only be other people from BISC so please don't worry about your English! This is the perfect place to learn why Christians - and the team at BISC - find Christmas and Easter so important.
If you have a problem booking a ticket, please email: bisc@bisc.org.uk
Inspiring Women
Come and join us for an evening meal to celebrate inspiring women from across the world, through history, and in our own lives. This event is open to women and men, celebrating International Women's Day.
Bring with you an example of a women who inspires you- a singer, a global leader, a women in history or even your grandmother. Be ready to share their inspiring story with us, through a photograph, a book, an online profile; let's celebrate women together and be inspired!
Lunch at Alma Church
Alma Church are hosting a free lunch!
Come with us to meet some welcoming and friendly people and to eat some delicious food. After lunch, there's a chance to go on a walk in the local park together. (As long as it's not stormy!)
If you're interested in joining the Sunday service and meeting local families first, come to the church at 10.30am.
If you just want to join the lunch and walk, that's fine - come at 12pm!
Alma Church is just behind Clifton Down Shopping Centre.
Please remember to bring sensible shoes and a coat. The English countryside is green and beautiful, but it can be a bit muddy!
Spaces are limited, so book quickly! If you have a problem booking a ticket, please email: bisc@bisc.org.uk
Lunch at Ebe Church
Ebenezer Church are hosting a free lunch!
Come with us to meet some welcoming and friendly people and to eat some delicious food. After lunch, there's a chance to go on a walk in the local park together. (As long as it's not stormy!)
If you're interested in joining the Sunday service and meeting local families first, come to the church at 10.30am.
If you just want to join the lunch and walk, that's fine - come at 12pm!
The 70 and 74 bus routes go from the city centre to the church. The nearest stop is Dorchester Road.
Please remember to bring sensible shoes and a coat. The English countryside is green and beautiful, but it can be a bit muddy!
Spaces are limited, so book quickly! If you have a problem booking a ticket, please email: bisc@bisc.org.uk
Bubble Tea Night
Join us at the BISC centre at 5.30pm to sample some bubble tea made in our very own kitchen. We plan to drink bubble tea, eat fried chicken, play some games and chill out for the evening. Come along for a fresh taste of Taiwan.
Tickets are only £5 - get them HERE!
Sign up to our weekly What’s On email and hear about all the events coming up!
If your financial situation is preventing you from attending our events, please get in touch. We would like to support you.
Games & Pizza Night
Join us for an evening of pizza and games - all for just £2.50!
Playing games is a great way to take your mind off essays, chat to people and have fun. We'll provide different pizzas, hot drinks and, of course, games! Depending on student numbers, our games include:
- Empires (guessing mystery game)
- Pitt (fast-action, trading card game)
- The Great Dalmuti (tactical card game)
- Ticket to Ride (strategy board game)
- Jenga (pile the bricks without toppling the tower!)
and much more!
Tickets are just £2.50 - get them HERE!
If you have a problem booking a ticket, please email: bisc@bisc.org.uk
If your financial situation is preventing you from attending our events, please get in touch. We would like to support you.
Trip to Bath
Join us on a trip to the nearby city of Bath. (Bus fare only)
Bath is a famous British city. It was named 'Bath' because of its natural hot springs. There's lots of old architecture (even from Roman times!) so it's a popular place for movies to be filmed. Some streets haven't really changed for over 200 years so it's a great place to take photos. There is a Jane Austen museum, the Roman Baths, an abbey, lots of independent shops and much more! Our volunteers, Kim and Chris, will take you on a walking tour when you get there.
It takes less than an hour on the bus and a return student ticket should cost less than £5.
Our ticket will be free, but you'll need to bring money for transport and any food that you want to buy.
If you have a problem booking a ticket, please email: bisc@bisc.org.uk
Lunar New Year Celebration
Join us for a celebration of the Lunar New Year - with handmade jiaozi, yuzu tea, chicken/tofu stew, red bean soup and loads more food, red envelopes and sparklers!
BISC is holding an evening of fun, food and oriental culture to celebrate the Year of the Snake. There’s going to be food from around the world!
Lunar New Year Eve is a very important family reunion night for most of the students from East or South East Asia. BISC is always the home away from home for international students. We would like to invite everyone to the BISC family's celebration to greet the new year with oriental blessings.
Come in at Lunar New Year eve and join us for authentic dishes, prize giving and local traditions.
If you have a problem booking a ticket, please email: bisc@bisc.org.uk
If your financial situation is preventing you from attending our events, please get in touch. We would like to support you.
Christmas celebration!
Christmas is the UK’s biggest celebration. Come and enjoy a traditional two-course meal with all the ‘trimmings’ (extra little bits like bread sauce, sprouts, gravy and stuffing) as well as traditional puddings, chocolates and non-alcoholic mulled wine. You might catch sight of Santa, and you’ll learn why Christmas is so special for Christians. Let’s celebrate together!
We want to wish you a very Merry Christmas and hope that you have enjoyed your time in Bristol so far.
Come and join us on Friday 13 December for a 6pm start time.
Tickets are £10.
You can book your place HERE.
If your financial situation is preventing you from attending our events, please get in touch. We would like to support you.
Wednesday lunch
Our last Wednesday lunch of this year! Our last event is on Friday 13th.
Seasonal Craft Night
Come to BISC and make something unique to take home. We'll be teaching you how to make collages on the theme of Christmas and art with autumn leaves. You can use it to decorate your room or make Christmas cards for your friends.
We'll also provide you with pizza and mince pies (a traditional Christmas snack) while you work. This is a great chance to create something special during this festive season.
If you have a problem booking a ticket, please email: bisc@bisc.org.uk
If your financial situation is preventing you from attending our events, please get in touch. We would like to support you.
Sign up to our What's On email! Get our weekly emails with news, details and tickets for events coming up!
Trip to Wells (with optional visit to Bishop’s Palace market!)
Join us on a day trip to the historic city of Wells. The bus leaves at 10.36am, so make sure you’re at the station 10 mins before!
Wells is a small, traditional city near to Bristol. It's full of old architecture, and a beautiful cathedral. If you want, you can come with us to the Bishop's palace (fee £8) where there’s a special market with artists selling their wares! The whole city is a very historic place, and well worth a visit.
Our trip is free, but you'll need to bring money for transport and anything that you want to buy / Bishop's Palace entry. It will take around an hour on the bus. You can buy your ticket on the bus and it will cost around £4.
Book your free ticket HERE!
If you have a problem booking a ticket, please email: bisc@bisc.org.uk
Sign up to our weekly What’s On email and hear about all the events coming up!
Bonfire Night
November is the UK’s national firework season. Come and have some hot chocolate with us, toast some marshmallows on the fire, light a mini fireworks and hear about what makes this time of year so special.
Tickets are just £5. Book your ticket HERE.
Sign up to our weekly What’s On email and hear about all the events coming up!
If your financial situation is preventing you from attending our events, please get in touch. We would like to support you.
Lunch at Kensington Church
Join us for a free lunch at a local church!
Come along to experience a special lunch at a Bristolian church, where many different languages and cultures mix together to make a unique family. This is a great chance to chat to locals about Bristol, church and living in the UK. It's a lively and diverse church in a very multicultural part of Bristol. Many people will understand what it is like to live in a foreign country, and everyone will want to welcome you to Bristol!
If you're interested in joining the Sunday service and meeting local families first, come at 11am.
If you just want to join the lunch, that's fine - come at 12 / 12.15pm!
If you have a problem booking a ticket, please email: bisc@bisc.org.uk
Sign up to our weekly What’s On email and hear about all the events coming up!
Bubble Tea Night
Join us at the BISC centre at 5.30pm to sample some bubble tea made in our very own kitchen. We plan to drink bubble tea, eat fried chicken, play some games and chill out for the evening. Come along for a fresh taste of Taiwan.
Tickets are only £5 - get them HERE!
Sign up to our weekly What’s On email and hear about all the events coming up!
If your financial situation is preventing you from attending our events, please get in touch. We would like to support you.
Lunch at St. Matt’s Church
Join us for a free lunch at a local church!
We are going to visit St. Matthew’s Church in Cotham for a special lunch for internationals. This is a great chance to chat to people about Bristol, church and living in the UK. There are lots of students at this church, and everyone will want to welcome you to Bristol!
If you're interested in joining the Sunday service and meeting local families first, meet at BISC at 10.15am.
If you just want to join the lunch, that's fine - go directly to the church at 12pm!
Spaces are limited, so book quickly! If you have a problem booking a ticket, please email: bisc@bisc.org.uk
Ice-cream Night
Who loves ice-cream?! Join us as we head to one of Bristol’s finest ice cream parlours and sample the different flavours. Come with us and you’ll get a 10% discount. This ice-cream parlour has won so many awards. It’s an independent, family-run business straight from Italy. Come and enjoy this Italian speciality, make new friends and spend an evening together with the perfect treat.
Tickets are free, but we’ll each buy our own ice-cream on the night. Please book so that we know you’re coming. Meet at BISC at 5.30pm - we will then walk together to Panunzio’s Kitchen Gelati Italiani on Cotham Hill.
Sign up to our weekly What’s On email and hear about all the events coming up!
Welcome meals 2024
Are you an international student arriving or returning to Bristol? Please come and join us for some good food and friendship! BISC is hosting welcome meals for international students arriving in Bristol.
6.30pm at the BISC centre (45 Woodland Rd)
£5 per meal
Come and chat to other students, learn about what's on in Bristol and have a hot, two-course meal.
There will be vegetarian/vegan options.
Book your ticket HERE.
Sign up to our What's On email! Get our weekly emails with news, details and tickets for events coming up!
If your financial situation is preventing you from attending our events, please get in touch. We would like to support you.
Baking workshop: Carrot Cake
Our fourth and final baking workshop is going to be: Carrot Cake!
Carrot in a cake?! It sounds strange doesn't it? But having small amounts of carrot in a cake makes it moist. We usually add spices and some nuts to this cake to make it perfect for autumn!
You don’t need to bring anything except your ticket to the workshop.
If you have a problem booking a ticket, please email: bisc@bisc.org.uk
If your financial situation is preventing you from attending our events, please get in touch. We would like to support you.
Sign up to our What's On email! Get our weekly emails with news, details and tickets for events coming up!
Chill and Games Afternoon
Come and join us for a couple of hours to have fun, chat and play games! BISC will be open to provide a place to connect this summer.
Wednesday afternoon Chill & Games is the perfect event if you're a Master's student who needs a short break from writing your dissertation or if you're a new international student and are struggling to meet people! It will be a relaxed atmosphere where you can hang out and be yourself.
Come along to BISC!
Sign up to our What's On email! Get our weekly emails with news, details and tickets for events coming up!
Trip to Bristol Uni Botanical Gardens
Join BISC volunteer Sue to explore the University Botanic Garden on Saturday 3 August at 1.50pm. It’s a beautiful garden to visit, whether you are fascinated by plants or just would like to stroll round and chat in a lovely peaceful place. There is also a café with a terrace overlooking the garden.
Cost
The garden visit is free if you are a student (see below for others), but you will probably want some money for a drink, cake or ice-cream, if you wish. Plus your bus fare if you arrive by bus.
Free – current students of any institution; ex-Bristol University students (alumni); children. Don’t forget your student card!
£5 - current and retired University of Bristol staff.
£9 – other adults.
Meeting place
University of Bristol Botanic Garden at 1.50pm. Bring your student card.
University of Bristol Botanic Garden
The Holmes
Stoke Park Road
Stoke Bishop
Bristol BS9 1JG
Arriving by bus
The number 4 bus gets closest to the garden, but you can use others. It’s route is City centre – Park Street – Whiteladies Road – the Downs
Take the number 4 bus to Stoke Bishop. Get off at the top of Stoke Hill (ask for the war memorial in Stoke Hill on the edge of the Downs). Get the bus that arrives at this bus stop at 1.43pm
Walk down Stoke Hill. Take the first right onto Stoke Park Road.
There is a brown tourist sign for the Botanic Garden at the entrance to the road.
The Botanic Garden entrance is 200 metres along Stoke Park Road, on the right.
You will see a sign at the entrance: The Holmes House, Botanic Garden.
Arriving by car
You can park in the local area, on Stoke Park Road or around the Downs (5 hours free parking).
Allow plenty of time for parking and walking.
Sign up to our What's On email! Get our weekly emails with news, details and tickets for events coming up!
Baking workshop: Lemon Drizzle Cake
Our third baking workshop is going to be: Lemon Drizzle Cake!
This is another British classic. If you go to any tea party, this cake will probably be there. 'Drizzle' refers to the way the lemon icing on top drips down into and over the cake. It's delicious!
You don’t need to bring anything to the workshop except your ticket!
If you have a problem booking a ticket, please email: bisc@bisc.org.uk
Sign up to our What's On email! Get our weekly emails with news, details and tickets for events coming up!
Chill and Games Afternoon
Come and join us for a couple of hours to have fun, chat and play games! BISC will be open to provide a place to connect this summer.
Wednesday afternoon Chill & Games is the perfect event if you're a Master's student who needs a short break from writing your dissertation or if you're a new international student and are struggling to meet people! It will be a relaxed atmosphere where you can hang out and be yourself.
Come along to BISC!
Sign up to our What's On email! Get our weekly emails with news, details and tickets for events coming up!
Baking workshop: Coffee and Walnut Cake
Our second baking workshop is going to be: Coffee & Walnut Cake!
This is the perfect cake for people who don't like to eat really sweet food. The coffee and nuts will make the cake have a slightly darker taste. It's the perfect combination!
You don’t need to bring anything to the workshop except your ticket!
If you have a problem booking a ticket, please email: bisc@bisc.org.uk
Sign up to our What's On email! Get our weekly emails with news, details and tickets for events coming up!
Chill and Games Afternoon
Come and join us for a couple of hours to have fun, chat and play games! BISC will be open to provide a place to connect this summer.
Wednesday afternoon Chill & Games is the perfect event if you're a Master's student who needs a short break from writing your dissertation or if you're a new international student and are struggling to meet people! It will be a relaxed atmosphere where you can hang out and be yourself.
Come along to BISC!
Sign up to our What's On email! Get our weekly emails with news, details and tickets for events coming up!
Baking workshop: Victoria Sponge
Come to BISC and learn how to make a Victoria Sponge.
This is a traditional British cake named after Queen Victoria. It requires a light vanilla cake in two pieces with cream and jam in the middle. We usually make this for special occasions - like a coronation or tea party!
If you have a problem booking a ticket, please email: bisc@bisc.org.uk
Sign up to our What's On email! Get our weekly emails with news, details and tickets for events coming up!
Farewell BBQ (Final Wednesday Lunch)
Join us for the last Wednesday Lunch of this academic year. If you’re going home, this is the perfect opportunity to come into BISC and say goodbye. We’ve met so many amazing people this year! It’s been a privilege to get to know you all, and we’d love to see you one last time if you’re leaving Bristol.
We’re going to be having BBQ food for our final Wednesday lunch and enjoying it out in the garden. Come along for the last BISC meal until September!
Tickets are £5 so we can offer more dishes.
Book HERE!
If your financial situation is preventing you from attending our events, please get in touch. We would like to support you.
Sign up to our What's On email! Get our weekly emails with news, details and tickets for events coming up!
Bus Trip to Portishead Marina
Come with us on a trip to the pretty port of Portishead!
Join our local volunteers Kim and Chris on a trip to a local harbour. Portishead is around 30 minutes by bus, and is a small town with a pretty collection of boats. You can have an ice-cream, wander around the harbour, follow the Art Trail to see special sculptures and artwork as well as look across to Wales! Kim and Chris will guide you around the Marina.
Our trip will be free, but you'll need to bring money for transport and any food that you want to buy.
We'll be meeting at 10.15 at Bay 18, Bristol Bus Station. The bus leaves at 10.27am so don't be late!
Book your place HERE!
If you have a problem booking a ticket, please email: bisc@bisc.org.uk
If your financial situation is preventing you from attending our events, please get in touch. We would like to support you.
Sign up to our What's On email! Get our weekly emails with news, details and tickets for events coming up - the perfect way to stay in touch with the international community!
Free Lunch and Walk in Severn Beach
We are going to Severn Beach - the river border between England and Wales - for a free bbq lunch and walk! You can eat and chat to welcoming and friendly people. After lunch, there's a chance to go on a walk by the estuary. (As long as it's not stormy!) We can look across to Wales there.
We are going to take the train at 10am, so we need to meet at 9.50am! We will join the church service before the lunch.
You will need to pay for your own train ticket, but it will be around £2.
Please remember to bring sensible shoes and a coat. It might get a bit windy!
Sign up to our weekly What’s On email and hear about all the events coming up!
Souvenir-making
Come to BISC and make something unique to take home. We'll be teaching you how to make shrink art - customisable keyrings and badges that will last forever - as well as helping you paint beautiful postcards of Bristol landmarks.
We'll also provide you with hotdogs and hot drinks while you work. This is a great chance to create something special which will remind you of your time away in Bristol!
If you have a problem booking a ticket, please email: bisc@bisc.org.uk
If your financial situation is preventing you from attending our events, please get in touch. We would like to support you.
Sign up to our What's On email! Get our weekly emails with news, details and tickets for events coming up!
Community volunteering
On Saturday 4 May, BISC are joining The Noise - a Christian project happening across the city. Join our team to host a fun-day with a local church in North Bristol. The day will be 11.30am-4.30pm and will include:
Running a bbq
Doing face painting
Serving tea & cake
Supervising soft play areas
Running craft activities for children
We need a group of volunteers to make the project a success! We want to support local people in an area of social challenges and show God’s love practically by helping people for free.
You don’t need any previous experience, and this project will be something you can mention to future employers.
Send us an email at bisc@bisc.org.uk or come and talk to us at our office if you’re interested.
Registration costs £7.
Sign up to our weekly What’s On email and hear about all the events coming up!
If your financial situation is preventing you from attending our events, please get in touch. We would like to support you.
Lunch & Walk at Headley Park Church
Headley Park Church are hosting a free traditional lunch! You can try classic food and chat to welcoming and friendly people. After lunch, there's a chance to go on a walk in the countryside around Bristol. (As long as it's not stormy!) The plan is to walk near a place called Dundry, which has views over Bristol and the surrounding countryside.
If you're interested in joining the Sunday service and meeting local families first, come to the church at 10.30am.
If you just want to join the lunch and walk, that's fine - come at 12.15pm!
Tickets are FREE - get them HERE!
The 75 and 76 bus routes pass near the church. The nearest stop is Bishopsworth Library.
Please remember to bring sensible shoes and a coat. The English countryside is green and beautiful, but it can be a bit muddy!
Sign up to our weekly What’s On email and hear about all the events coming up!
If you have a problem booking a ticket, please email: bisc@bisc.org.uk
Bubble Tea Night
Join our international community for homemade bubble tea and pork cutlet pieces. We plan to drink bubble tea, eat snacks, play some games and chill out for the evening. Come along for a fresh taste of Taiwan.
Sign up to our weekly What’s On email and hear about all the events coming up!
If you have a problem booking a ticket, please email: bisc@bisc.org.uk
If your financial situation is preventing you from attending our events, please get in touch. We would like to support you.
Follow us on social media and stay up to date.
Follow us on Instagram