Student Comments

"I really have to thank you for everything you and the whole planning team have done all these previous weeks. It must have been really hard to organise TABLEtalk and special events like the Christmas Party every Tuesday but it is great to see how much fun everybody can have especially with such a good organiser, entertainer and friend like you. I know that it would probably not work if you had not the support of your entire team. This is why I am writing to thank you. I am sure all the internationals students would like everybody who has been involved in planning all these processes, the cooking, and realising all that by making themselves as useful as possible."

Volker from Germany

TABLEtalk - Christmas Party

A great time was had by all at our

2008 TABLEtalk Christmas Party

The Hula-Hoop Game was a bit of compulsory fun before our meal was served - a BIG success!!

Jack, Magdalena, Razvan & David

Nancy, Eddie, Faith, Graeme, Belinda & Ada

Billy, Jean, Susan, Nan, Tom & Arthur

Rain, Neil, Ania, Kiwi, Anne & Hafsa

Antonio, Katrina, David, Aileen & Clara

Clemy, Titi, Roy, Cheryl & Cindy

Mary, FuYu, Eric, Vivean & Sugu

Emma, Lena, Misha, Derek, Alison & Gloria

Scott, Audrey, Volker, Sarah, Jessica & Abiola

Bora, Anne, Ingrid, Derek, Joey & Lynne

Before dessert could be served more fun was to be had with the Peg Game ...



Many, many thanks to all those who helped with various aspects of preparation - thank you especially to ERNIE LINDSAY for coming and prearing our meal for us.

International Sunday Lunch

Hosting students in my home is ALWAYS a great pleasure -

here I am with (clockwise)

Belinda, Ela, Ania, Xiuli & Ada

TABLEtalk - Scottish Night

At the end of November each year we organise a Scottish evening at TABLEtalk in recognition of St Andrew's Day.

Students were tested on their knowledge of Scotland and Scottish people - congratulations go to Munish & Sandra who won 1st prize and Misha & Lena only one point behind.

(please note: 'Greyfriars Bobby' was not a rabbit or a reindeer, he was a dog - next time ignore any 'helpful' actions from Eric!!)

As always it was great to invite Gordon Whyte along to help us learn some Scottish songs ...

Sugu, Fu Yu and Emma

Faith, Anna G, Volker

and Sandra

Students were also introduced to the delights
of haggis, tatties & neeps
- thanks Joey for helping to serve.

Razvan from Romania

Katrina & Ada

Our evening was completed with several ceilidh dances

- the students proved fast learners.

International Student Service

On November 23rd we held our first ever

International Student Service

& Lunch at Hopehall Church.

Nineteen students joined us for the event which included a presentation by our KIDS church folk, songs from Misha (in Russian & English) and Sugu & Lena also shared a little about what Friends International activities have meant to them.

Thank you sooooooooooooo much to everyone who helped with preparation & transport, who took part in the service itself and to Alison, Sugu, Lena & Xiuli for all that they prepared towards our scrumptious 'international' lunch.

Clemy from Rwanda, Kiwi & Rain from China

Abiola from Nigeria, Volker from Germany, Ada & Susan from China and Ania from Poland.

May with Dare & Titi from Nigeria

Vivean from China and Gloria from Ghana with Alistair

Eric with Faith (from Nigeria)

Student Graduations

When you've shared the lives of students for a year or more - including all the highs and lows of their studies - it is always a privilege to be invited to attend their graduation ceremony.

Here are a few folks who've become much more than students - they've become close friends!!

Sugu & Lena who both graduated with distinction!

Hafsa with Fu Yu

Me and Xiuli
Me and Tom
... even Mishka junior tried to get in on the act!!!

TABLEtalk Quiz Night

Every semester we have a QUIZ NIGHT within our

TABLEtalk programme ...

here Derek, Anna S and Fu Yu are taking it all very seriously!

Student Comments

"We enjoyed the night a lot! The fireworks were very good and then, in the church, it was nice. All the people were very friendly."

Ramon (Spain)

"Last night was really good! Aileen & David were very kind! Thank you for the organisation!

Coralie (France)

"It was fun to stay outside, take pictures and look for those wandering off. It was extra special fun to curl into a comfy armchair with hot chocolate and watch those bursting with laughter while playing table football and pool. It was great to be with friends ... AS USUAL! THANK YOU & BLESSINGS!"

Misha & Lena Korytovy (Russia)

Fireworks & Hot Chocolate Night

Our Fireworks & Hot Chocolate Night has become an annual event now and it seems that each year gets bigger & better. It was great to have 40 students (from 12 different nationalities) along to the event. A BIG THANK YOU goes to all of those who helped with transport and to the Christian Growth Centre for their fab hospitality afterwards.

It was especially great to catch up with some students we'd not seen for a while and to also meet a bunch of new folk.

Clemy, Titi & Clara

Misha, Lena, Titi & Dare
Back at CGC much fun was had eating, drinking, chatting, playing pool, meeting new friends or catching up with old ones ...