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: LDCISC@GMAIL.COM

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 ldcisc@gmail.com 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