isc news letter - lady doak college news letter path of discovery ... isc is a space for academic...
TRANSCRIPT
December 2015
Issue 1
International Study Center
Lady Doak College, Madurai
ISC
NEWS LETTER
PATH OF DISCOVERY
International Study Center opened its gateway to
cross cultural engagement in 1990, in a small room with a little col-
lection of books and a few C.D racks. Throughout the years it has
transformed into a vast library, a cozy reading room, a main office
and a writing center. It serves as an intermediate for International
Exchange Programs. ISC helps students to explore new places in
which they imagine living in. Thirteen students have spent one se-
mester aboard at Mary Baldwin College, two at Pacific University,
two at International Christian University and two at Longwood Uni-
versity. Every year nearly fifteen students join our International Ser-
vice Learning Program from Thailand, Hong Kong, Japan and Korea.
ISC is a space for academic discussion, professional talk, personal
reflection and social interest in an international framework. The
World has shrunk into one room. Hasn’t it? We celebrate global festi-
vals through fun and games. It’s a
space of varying culture. It trans-
forms students to multi-taskers. Stu-
dents are trained to play different
roles such as organizers, translators
and guides. ISC is headed by an ad-
ministrative assistant, four faculty
coordinators and one Oberlin Shansi
Fellow.
- M. Jaisha Priyam, II U.G. English
INTERNATIONAL STUDY
CENTER
LADY DOAK COLLEGE,
MADURAI 625 002,
TAMIL NADU
E-MAIL: [email protected]
1
As bees hover around a beehive, a lot many things always
hang around the heads of a teenager. Our instincts might surge us
from behind to trace out the answers for many. However most of us
come out with a null hypothesis. We will plan a thousand plans that
will not work. We win most of the times in failing our own plans. We
sleep for the most of a day and set ourselves occupied for the rest ,
claiming to be busy bees. We become the ambassadors of delayed
punctuality, composed violence, an honest falsehood. Although, this
is how life works for most of us, some may will, to bring a change in
their lives, to succeed in their plans. And behold, 'Where there is a
will, there is a way'.
Poet Bharathi asks,
'Oh Heavens! Where is the way to get a will?
Instinct replies, 'In thyself'
Luckily, a few would have found the secret to be in 'thyself' as
Bharathi did. In my opinion, when the 'thyself' bears upon your suc-
cess, happiness, and victory, you might stumble upon the haughti-
ness. When 'thyself' bears upon your failure, anxiety, and distress you
might stumble upon self pity. Life with its own uncertainty becomes
vulnerable with a heavy laden 'thyself'. Then cast your burdens on the
divinity and act free. The fruit is a life well lived.
For nothing will be impossible with god. (Luke 1:37)
-Asha Priyadharshini, III U.G. Physics
Tell us… We want you – For ISC
newsletter! Yes. We are giv-
ing you a chance to have your
work printed! Have your
say.“How would people
communicate in a perfect
world?” This is your topic.
No, do not go on how a
perfect world is impossible.
This a place for dreams and
visions. Let the near impossi-
ble pipedream bloom here.
Let us hear your thoughts.
THE THYSELF
2
Love flying through the magical world of Hogwarts? Or embark on a journey of
romance with your fictitious partner through the pages. Word by word as you enter the
platform presented by the author, you enter a new world of imagination of extravagance
and curiosity and a feast for your senses. Nothing can beat reading fiction, whether it is
reading a book privately to the sound of nature or discussing allusions with fellow book-
worms.
ISC library, Wow! As you enter the library you will be awe- struck when you see
the sea of books neatly stacked. Every book lover has a dilemma which book to pick and
travel with it? ―So many books! So little time!‖ are the words murmured by many.
―All work and no play make, Jack a dull boy‖- (Indian proverb)
So join us for a fun filled read, curious watch and energetic play.
- S. Mrudhula Pandian, I U.G. English
SO MANY BOOKS! SO LITTLE TIME!
ISC CELEBRATIONS This season in the ISC was totally loaded with the three letter word : F-U-N !
Nope. Not an exaggeration. The evidence to prove that ISC taking up the normal
stuff to a whole new level is presented to you exclusively.
Sportive August
2015 August kick-started with a friendly ice breaking session with
games. We made friendship bracelets of neon hues and exchanged it with our
fellow ISCers. It was a D-day for the ISCers; the colours of the bands attracted
the attention of fellow college mates making ISC’s presence felt in the college for
a brand new year.
Competitive September
The ISC’s agenda was off to a great start with the club election. The Eu-
ropean Carnival brought alive the flavours of the culturally rich continent with
contests. Rangoli and poster contests brought out the artistic sides of competi-
tors while the cooking contest explored the roots of European cuisine. Everyone
tapped their feet as they danced to European numbers at the dance contest but it
was a real test of brains over brawn during the treasure hunt. In September, Me-
gan Nicole Mepham and Megan Edwards presented on Indigenous Americans
living in environment Virginia State and other parts of the U.S for Native Ameri-
can Heritage Day. Then our talented ISC student choreographers organised a
dance workshop for teachers and non teaching staff on Teachers Appreciation
Day.
Skittish October
The spooky month of October was packed up with mischief. ISCers had
fun interacting with fellow members as they prepared for the costume party –
working out the decorations, selecting music and planning games . On the final
day, everyone was in for a great treat. The place was darkened to heighten the
effect of the lanterns lit for Halloween. Bats, ghouls and spider webs hung
around the room. Glowing pumpkins lined the floor. Haunted themed treats and
drinks were served. Raving music filled up the place. The place was party-ready!
Fellow ISCers dressed up in costumes and makeup scared each other. Spooky
music, fashion show and games channelled everyone’s inner impishness.
Apple day was a new addition to the normal line-up of festivities. ISCers
were in for a surprise. Everyone enjoyed making apple pancakes, taking turns to
prepare the batter and garnishing it with cream and syrup. On the other hand,
few members battled their grey cells on a quiz about apples. The day ended with
sharing the pancakes, listening to Megan Mepham and Megan Edwards explain
the meaning of apple day at Mary Baldwin as a day of service and giving.
Awesome Ending
A fun-filled start ends with an equally fun-filled ending. The ISCers spent
the last day springing a surprise on their fellow college mates on the last day of
the semester: A flash mob! What better way to end a semester ? ISCers danced to
popular songs from around the world. Everyone enjoyed the funky and playful
beats of the songs as the semester came to an end.
This upcoming semester, the one club you need to be is
isc. So, stay tuned, folks!
- S. Mrudhula Pandian, I U.G. English
Love the Koreans students you have
met around in Campus? Wish that the
language barrier didn’t exist? Ever wish
that you knew Korean too? Then listen up.
Cause we have news for you! You just have
no idea how close Tamil is to Korean! Don’t
believe it? Well, we have this for you from
Professor Jung Nam Kim. As the Leader of
Korea Tamil Society, he had presented his
research paper right here in India at World
Classical Tamil Conference - Kovai, 2010.
Korean Drama fans and beginners of
the Korean language would know; ‘Amma’
in Tamil translates to ‘Omma’ and ‘Appa’ to
‘Appa’. ‘Naan’ as in me and ‘Nee’ as in you
is the exact same! The professor says that
around 500 words to his knowledge from
his comparison of the Tamil and Korean
dictionaries are the same in terms of both
meaning and pronunciation. Imagine how
many more words have yet to be noticed!
Asian languages have many similarities in
terms of their roots having been born
amongst and infused with the influence of
neighbouring languages. Though our fellow
students of Linguistics from both the Tamil
and English Department may be aware of
this, even they may be surprised as to how
true it is.
These parallels go far and wide in many
aspects of our lives! Lullaby – Talattu in
Tamil is Ta le da in Korean! For Agricultur-
al term, Cutting grass – Pull Vettu trans-
lates to pull peda! To ascend - yeru is Oru!
To capture - kaithu is kaithuda. To jump –
Thullu is thiluda. To pass by – kade is
kada. To count Days, naal is naal. New –
puthu is put. Happy – santhosham is
santadam. Wife – manaivi is manora
Lastly, our Korean Drama Fans’ all-time
favourite; heart – Manam is mal-m!
However, because Korean verbs must
end with ‘da’, their words twist themselves
to be more exotic than Tamil. How many of
us knew that we were speaking Korean
alongside Tamil subconsciously? Well,
there is me, ISC editors and now you! Now
that you have this knowledge in you, go
dazzle someone with these interesting
facts! Meanwhile we’ll get more interesting
stuff for you before this news goes out of
fad.
-Vani Gnanaseakaran, III U.G. Tamil
Amazing Fact!!!
Similarities between Korean
and Tamil!
3
- P. Swathi Lakshmi, II U.G. English
4
Call for art work!
Artists are creators, their pen and paper can make wonders in the
world. Here comes a chance to put the hidden artist in you on spotlight. ISC
gives you a platform to publish your work to public. Bring your chromatic
shades and ornamental words to us to get it published in ISC’s next newsletter!
Email scans to [email protected] or stop by the office.
I COULD...
I Could
I stepped in, a place full of strangers,
I could feel the eyes on me,
I could hear the little whisperings,
I could...
I could see the unfamiliar faces,
I could feel the hot tears drip on my
cheeks,
I could run away from here,
I could...
I could see the entire world before me,
I could see them want to destroy me,
I could see them mock me,
I could...
I could feel them push me around,
I could feel them juggle me,
I could feel them test my patience,
I could...
Then, I have a shoulder to cry upon –
mom,
I have strong hands to pull me up –
Dad,
I have understanding eyes – sister,
I have patient ears – brother
They told me “I know you could get
through”,
I could…
-Ramya Palani
I U.G. B.A.
Have you ever written a letter to your loved ones — excluding the
letters written in exam papers for the sake of marks?
Few decades ago paper, pen, post cards and telegrams were the
treasures of people. We all would have been familiar with Letter to Indira Gandhi by
Jawaharlal Nehru. Those thirty letters entailed his thoughts about history and stud-
ies of civilization. He wrote it when he was in prison. Letter writing was a way for
making friends in other corners of the world under the name ―pen-pals‖. Today, pen
-pal clubs can be found in magazine columns, newspapers and internet. I have one
pen friend in Malaysia. We connected through a magazine seven years ago. We usu-
ally talk about education systems and politics. Two months before her family toured
India. We decided to meet for the first time at Meenakshi amman temple. On that
day, searching for a face I had not seen before in a sea of heads was not a difficult
task but a different one.
The world is moving in a fast pace. Isn’t it? Mobiles and thumb prints
are treasures of this generation. Checking inboxes for unsent mail and signing on to
facebook for unanswered messages. The urges are gratified ones the message
knocks our inbox. Think in case of post mail, it may take weeks or months to receive
the post. You wait patiently for the reply. Re-reading the words and seeing the
cracked paper posted before was a feel of unspoken words. This may sound impos-
sible to you but it was once the medium which started peace and ended wars. Paper
and pen can be substituted by mobile and thumb prints but it can never replace
them. So, scribble your thoughts rather than typing a text.
- M.Jaisha Priyam, II U.G. English
YOURS LOVINGLY