IESP RP Discussion #4/5 [Get out, Kwadai. I'm back.]

[Flardania]

Welp, Kisania CTE'd

aka we need to select a new bid stat

[The United Confederacy of Texas]

Welp, Kisania CTE'd

aka we need to select a new bid stat

We should probably get Cen online for obvious reasons

[The Nation of Ceneria]

aka we need to select a new bid stat

We should probably get Cen online for obvious reasons

*puffs out of existence*

[Britonisea]

Welp, Kisania CTE'd

Something must've happened there...

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Why does this happen now Are we going to sit here bored or...??

[The Heavenly Commonwealth]

When is the next one gonna be up.

[Kwadai]

When is the next one gonna be up.

Whenever we can stop talking about how we need to do something and actually do something

[The Heavenly Commonwealth]

When is the next one gonna be up.

Whenever we can stop talking about how we need to do something and actually do something

I would, but I doubt I have the authority.

[The Nation of Ceneria]

When is the next one gonna be up.

Whenever we can stop talking about how we need to do something and actually do something

*does something*

Okay. With that out of my system, it's time to ask The Question: Is now a good time for a new rendition of the RP? Summer is upon us (or nearly upon us for some of you!), and time is generally more abundant for those of us who don't have to work for a living. Is now a good time to embark upon another perilous, CTE-fraught journey across the globe in search of international student-exchanging, or is it better to wait a bit? Keep in mind that bidding and the like would take something like two or three weeks if we started now, putting that as the rough start date of the RP.

[/rant]

So, IESP-ites, To RP or Not to RP? That is the question.

[The United Confederacy of Texas]

Whenever we can stop talking about how we need to do something and actually do something

*does something*

Okay. With that out of my system, it's time to ask The Question: Is now a good time for a new rendition of the RP? Summer is upon us (or nearly upon us for some of you!), and time is generally more abundant for those of us who don't have to work for a living. Is now a good time to embark upon another perilous, CTE-fraught journey across the globe in search of international student-exchanging, or is it better to wait a bit? Keep in mind that bidding and the like would take something like two or three weeks if we started now, putting that as the rough start date of the RP.

[/rant]

So, IESP-ites, To RP or Not to RP? That is the question.

Just finished school today: yea on new RP

[The Heavenly Commonwealth]

Whenever we can stop talking about how we need to do something and actually do something

*does something*

Okay. With that out of my system, it's time to ask The Question: Is now a good time for a new rendition of the RP? Summer is upon us (or nearly upon us for some of you!), and time is generally more abundant for those of us who don't have to work for a living. Is now a good time to embark upon another perilous, CTE-fraught journey across the globe in search of international student-exchanging, or is it better to wait a bit? Keep in mind that bidding and the like would take something like two or three weeks if we started now, putting that as the rough start date of the RP.

[/rant]

So, IESP-ites, To RP or Not to RP? That is the question.

Rp plox.

[Legatia]

Whenever we can stop talking about how we need to do something and actually do something

*does something*

Okay. With that out of my system, it's time to ask The Question: Is now a good time for a new rendition of the RP? Summer is upon us (or nearly upon us for some of you!), and time is generally more abundant for those of us who don't have to work for a living. Is now a good time to embark upon another perilous, CTE-fraught journey across the globe in search of international student-exchanging, or is it better to wait a bit? Keep in mind that bidding and the like would take something like two or three weeks if we started now, putting that as the rough start date of the RP.

[/rant]

So, IESP-ites, To RP or Not to RP? That is the question.

i hate finals tbh, but we might as well

My bid is nearing completion!

[Kwadai]

Whenever we can stop talking about how we need to do something and actually do something

*does something*

Okay. With that out of my system, it's time to ask The Question: Is now a good time for a new rendition of the RP? Summer is upon us (or nearly upon us for some of you!), and time is generally more abundant for those of us who don't have to work for a living. Is now a good time to embark upon another perilous, CTE-fraught journey across the globe in search of international student-exchanging, or is it better to wait a bit? Keep in mind that bidding and the like would take something like two or three weeks if we started now, putting that as the rough start date of the RP.

[/rant]

So, IESP-ites, To RP or Not to RP? That is the question.

Yes. On with it!

[The Nation of Ceneria]

Okay. Fine. If you'd like to host, go ahead and start working up host bids. I also don't think need a new discussion thread. Probably.

[The Heavenly Commonwealth]

Okay. Fine. If you'd like to host, go ahead and start working up host bids. I also don't think need a new discussion thread. Probably.

I think we should keep it seperate, every other one was.

[Socialist Mercanda]

Okay. Fine. If you'd like to host, go ahead and start working up host bids. I also don't think need a new discussion thread. Probably.

I think we should keep it seperate, every other one was.

Thats because every other one lasted more than a week.

[Kwadai]

I think this thread is perfectly fine.

[The Heavenly Commonwealth]

I think this thread is perfectly fine.

Consensus seems to be too stay, so when can we (re)start?

[Legatia]

Gentlemen, summer is upon me. And with that, it leaves me room to terribly attempt to host an IESP RP! And with that, I present to you my bid:

Host Bid for the Imperial Provinces of Legatia- SUMMER 2016

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Flag of Imperis Province

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Flag of the City of Ostia

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Introduction

Ostia is the port city of the Legatian capital of New Rome, and its eighth largest city. It has been nominated to serve as the Imperial Provinces of Legatia's host bid for the 2016 IESP Exchange Student program.

Overview

Ostia came to be within a year of the founding of New Rome as it's port town. As commerce in the city of New Rome grew, so did the town, and so Ostia was officially incorporated as Ostia Urbs Provisoriam 40 years after it's parent city was founded.

It is only recently that Ostia became a large city. It was one of Legatia's major ports, but only the dock workers, traders, and other wealthy citizens resided in the prime strip of land. As the middle class grew, so did the town of Ostia. In the last 400 years it has grown substantially, and still remains one of Legatia's fastest-growing cities.

Transportation

Ostia is not Legatia's shining example in means of urban transportation. The primary mode of transportation throughout the city is via bus, which the city maintains an active and modern fleet of. Ostia does not have its own international airport, instead being serviced by the New Rome Scipio Africanus airport, which is about 45 minutes away (compensating for New Rome traffic). Ostia Airport is for cargo and very limited domestic flights only at the time.

Ostia has direct links to New Rome by rail and a dedicated highway. If students wish to visit the capital of Legatia, they will be able to utilize New Rome's Metro Transit Authority system to do so (Authorization from school authorities required beforehand.)

Bikes are a popular form of transport in the city, and can be rented for as cheap as five dollars per hour.

Bus tickets cost $2 Denarius for a day and $17.75 Denarius for a week. These are available for purchase at any major bus hub within the city, or at the school itself via request.

Language and Culture

As in the rest of the Imperial Provinces, most citizens speak Latin conversationally, but are fluent as well in English. Languages such as French, German, Spanish, and rarely Chinese and Korean, are also spoken by many different groups.

Ostia's citizenry lead an affluent lifestyle, but as in the rest of Legatia, tend to be socially conservative. Vagrants are treated with much more respect then is common in the rest of the Provinces, and generally, are treated to a spare coin if possible. Social delinquency is shunned and those on subsidy are seen as lazy. Proper dress is key to avoiding jeers- as a rule of thumb, if you wouldn't show up to your grandmother's house wearing it, you probably shouldn't wear it. Dignity and respect, above all, are core values of Ostian and Legatian citizens alike.

A typical Ostian pasta dish. They are often served with sausage, pork, or beef.

While same-sex marriage is legal throughout the Imperial Provinces and laws are in place to prevent discrimination on all levels, many Legatians, especially elder ones, tend to reject such ideals and may assail homosexual couples. Citizenry in general tend to hold their personal honor (and especially those of their companions and friends) in very high stance, and it isn't uncommon for someone to be assaulted for a simple insult.

Ostian cuisine especially is very multicultural, but local tends to include a large amount of seafood, wheat, and rice, as well as vegetables such as carrots, olives, tomatoes, and spinach.

Geography and Climate

Ostia is based around Ostia Bay, a natural bay fed directly by the Aegean Ocean. The temperature in Ostia is temperate most of the year, with summer season experiencing common and brief rainstorms.
The area around Ostia is very lightly forested, hilly, and warm, leading to the small mountain range near New Rome. Ostia surrounds the bay. Hunting trips require upwards of two hour drives north.

The ocean can be seen from the outskirts of the city. Ostia is built slightly elevated from it. It is a prime beach location in the western Provinces.

Caliae Beach in Ostia.

School

Vermiculo Academy

Student Dormitories

Typical Student Dorm

Students will attend Ostia's local Vermiculo Academy, one of Imperis province's most elite schools. Ranked fourth in the nation, it is a boarding school. It covers an area of 760 acres, and is walled off by iron gate and protected around the clock by 16 armed contractors hired by the school. It is a 20 minute ride from the Ostia metro station from New Rome.

On-site dorms will be provide, as well as a $500 NSD stipend for room decoration. Pupils will be free to choose their own roommates. Utilities such as laundry, wifi, cable TV, and food will be provided cost- free to the students. Additional purchases will not be directly covered.

Exchange students will recieve a school-issued credit card that will recieve $500 NSD equivalent every month. If this limit is exceeded, students must use funds brought from home. Any funds not brought with the students upon arrival, issued by the school, or earned through occupations is to be limited to $25,000 NSD equivalent, or it will be automatically denied by Legatia's banks. Any and all currency transfers are subject to denial for any reason.
Male and Female Uniforms

• Latin I
• English I (If Latin or English are already spoken by a pupil, one or both of these classes may be substituted for another language.)
• Mathematics III
• Legatian History I
• Applied Sciences III

Elective (Up to four, two required):

• Military Study
• Art and Painting
• World History
• Philosophy
• Psychology
• Theater and Drama
• Graphic Design
• Horiculture and Gardening
• Husbandry
• Programming
• Engineering and Structural Systems
• Watercraft Operation
• Basic Aircraft Operation

A wide range of extracurricular activities, including sports, clubs, and in-school communities are available to be joined. State-issued examinations are not required to be administered to students.

Entertainment and Shopping

Being a port town and near to the capital, Ostia has a wide range of shopping and entertainment options available. Many ancient ruins are preserved as archaeological sites in both cities, and are open for public viewing. Ostia houses the Castrum Praetoria, the main garrison and headquarters of Legatia's Praetorian Guard. New Rome and Ostia make up two of the seven locations Praetorian Guardsmen are permanently stationed. New Rome's Ares Ampitheatre is the largest ampitheatre in the world, and gladiatorial fights (non-lethal, of course) are still held there today, as well as in Ostia's Colonius Ampitheatre. Also popular in Ostia is soccer, wrestling, and football, held in the Colonius Ampitheatre near every week.

Shopping is vibrant in the port district. Trianius Mall is one of the largest in Imperis Province, occupying 250 acres of land and two stories. Anything from games, pencils, alcohol, and even guns can be purchased in the mall. Located a mere 20 minutes by foot from the school, it is one of the premier shopping destinations in the city.

The sixth largest library in Legatia, the Julius Aenaeus Public Library, is in Ostia. It holds many rare titles, and is located as the dominant feature in the Modesta district, where none of it's buildings surpass six stories high. Many small restaurants, cafes, book stores, and other quiet stores can be found within it.

While Ostia's park systems are currently undergoing massive renovations, they will be off-limits to the public. Ostia's beaches, however, remain open, and offer bike, surfboard, jetski, and even speedboat rentals. Ostia's nightlife is perhaps Legatia's most vibrant- it has among the most vibrant night clubs in the Provinces, which are incredibly difficult to enter at night, and almost impossible to get into on the weekends. Many Ostian bars offer virgin, non-alcoholic options for underaged patrons, most popularly fruit smoothies.

Legatian bike rental company coast2coast. Membership is available for $25 NSD per month, and
allocates free bikes almost anywhere within the city to use!

Essentials for Students (And what not to pack!)

• Clothes. A uniform will be provided, but unless you plan on purchasing extra clothing in Legatia (which can be rather expensive), pack your own and expect warm weather.
• Your phone. Your phone will be transferred to a Legatian network on arrival free of cost on an unlimited plan. Do not use your phone in school outside of break periods, or it will be confiscated.
• Passport and visa. If you fail to bring these items or they have expired, you will be deported or detained until they become valid and present. If a passport expires during your stay, contact school authorities to have a new one made.
• A camera. Cameras in Legatia are expensive. If you plan on sightseeing, bring your own!
• Any weapons or firearms brought into Legatia must be expressly declared, and transported in a locked case. Firearms cannot be kept on school grounds, and must instead be held by a licensed gun dealer or a secure deposit box. Therefore it is discouraged that students bring any weaponry at all to school grounds.
• Recreational drugs of any kind for students is prohibited. Any student caught with such items will have them confiscated, and will be deported.
• Do not bring a laptop or a computer. Tablets will be issued to students upon arrival.

[Socialist Mercanda]

WIll be putting up a bid soon. It's unlike any other bid before in the history of the IESP.......

[The United Confederacy of Texas]

WIll be putting up a bid soon. It's unlike any other bid before in the history of the IESP.......

I wonder if it can even beat Da Hood

[The Nation of Ceneria]

WIll be putting up a bid soon. It's unlike any other bid before in the history of the IESP.......

I wonder if it can even beat Da Hood

I highly doubt it.

[Kwadai]

I wonder if it can even beat Da Hood

I highly doubt it.

That was nothing short of......what's the word? Oh yeah, brilliant

Cool bid Legatia!

[Socialist Mercanda]

Without further ado, I present to you:

S K E L I O S | 2 0 1 8
HOST BID CITY 2019 - AN ISLAND OF OPPORTUNITY

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Skelios' main town, Herculos. View of the town's centre, the town's red-domed Roman Catholic church in centre.

Introduction
Skelios is a small Eypidic island, located in the Nicosia Archipelago, in the Eypidic state of Attica. Home to about twenty-four thousand people, with about eleven thousand of these living in the island's capital of Herculos, it's quiet nature and breath-taking scenery present a different kind of host. Skelios is truly a different type of IESP bid.

Overview of Skelios and Eypida

Eypida is a island federation comprising of eight states, forty million citizens and around fifteen thousand islands, although the vast majority are uninhabited. Of the 40 million citizens, around 30 million reside on the main island, called Thenas. Eypida's federal government is currently controlled by the Liberal Democrats, a centrist liberal party believing in personal and economic freedom, and the Attican state government is ruled by Attica First, which has similar beliefs. The Skelios Islander Council is made up of independents completely.

Skelios itself is a rather quiet and sleepy island, notable for it's wine and fishing industries. The island has a ferry port in Herculos as well as a small airport west of Herculos, with links to Thenas and some surrounding islands. Skelios has four primary schools, and a single secondary school located in Herculos, where the students will be attending. While Herculos is the de facto capital, it isn't the only settlement, with around 5 smaller villages dotted around the island. Unlike previous host bid cities, who were big, fabulous cities, Skelios is instead a more of a unknown, secluded island, governed by the 40-member Islander Council.

Getting there & Transporation on the island

The IESP will organize a charter aircraft to fly into the tiny airport on Skelios, with passengers embarking this aircraft at the Eypidic capital of Thenas, which can accommodate such long-range travel. Students will then be shuttled by bus to the school. Thanks to the relative emptiness of the airport, it will only be a few minutes between disembarking the aircraft and arriving at the school. OOC Note: If I host, I won't waste time RPing arriving at the airport. Straight to the school! Skelios Airport has only four scheduled destinations, being Thenas, the nearby island of Lania, Patras and the nearby island of Serres. Fares to Thenas average at about $59 one-way, provided by Skelios Airways Regional.

Bus transport on the island is provided by Skelios Bus, a company owned by the island's council. It operates routes between most settlements on the island, as well as a 6-stop service within Herculos town. It connects all parts of the island with the ferry terminal in Herculos. Bus tickets vary in price, but the most pricey one-way ticket is the $3 one-way rush hour Herculos-Athena bus route (although $5.50 for a round-trip ticket).

Good roads as well as the age for being able to drive is at sixteen years means that most students who have a driving license can drive, as well as any unlicensed 16 and over year old students can also take driving tests and receive a Eypidic license. Although most new cars are expensive in Skelios due to the cost of getting them there and such, second-hand vehicles can be found on sale island-wide at cheap prices. Insurance is not mandatory by law, and the tax is quite low, as well as an all-time low price for petrol and diesel makes driving an affordable way to get around for students.

There is also a light rail system connecting Herculos and Athena, the second-largest settlement on the island that is also located on the other side of the island. The island's council has received funding from the federal government to establish 3 more stops along the tramway, in the villages of Chania, Ionnina, and Agrinio, with construction set to begin in late 2016. Tickets are slightly more costly than the bus route to Athena, at $4 for a one-way ticket and $7 for a two-way ticket, however it is much faster. Note these prices do not change for different times, unlike that of the bus services.

A common way out of and into the island is by ferry. Herculos Ferry Terminal teems with people, ferries constantly in and out. Ferry services connect the island with most islands within it's archipelago, as well as the city of Patras, the nearest large city, which is an hour and a half away on the high-speed ferry. With the extension of the pier to host 6 ferrys at once, passenger numbers are expected to double in 2016 as many tourists from within Eypida are expected to visit. Ferries are cheap and, if you get the right one, can be a quick way to get around the islands.

Herculos Ferry Terminal

School & Accomodation

Skelios Island Secondary School is the only secondary school on the island, located on the seafront in Herculos. 1099 students from all over the island attend the school, as well as some from neighbouring islands that lack a secondary school, although the school can accomodate up to 1200 students, but it is unlikely to ever reach capacity. The school was opened in 2011, replacing the ageing and collapsing old secondary school. The school is mixed, with 564 girls and 535 boys, ages 12 through 18. Nationwide, it ranks 3rd best secondary school, up one place, as reviewed by the Department of Education for Eypida.

Skelios Island Secondary School seafront side

Inside the main upstairs walkway in the school

Students are to do the following mandatory subjects:

• Eypidan
• Mathematics
• History
• Geography
• Science
• English
• Physical Education (due to absence of a functioning gym as the current one is still under construction, this is done on the beach)
  
  There are also a number of optional subjects that students are to choose from, picking up 2:
• Woodwork
• Metalwork
• Business
• Art
• Music

Each day there is 6 classes, however due to the inclusion of double classes etc, the amount of subjects done daily may range from 6 to as low as 3 (3 subjects, each a double class). Foreign students will be put in a special English-speaking class for each subject. Due to the differentiation of age and level, students may be split up for some subjects such as Mathematics.

There are a range of different clubs, teams and other activities in the school. The official school football (soccer), rugby, and athletics teams play in the nearby Herculos Park, the towns largest stadium, housing 6,000. Tennis is played in the square at the entrance of the school, wherea volleyball is commonly played at the beach. The school's swim team uses both the beach and the underground school swimming centre. Many other clubs are housed in classrooms. Hopefully in the new academic year, a drama/theatrical group will be set up with the opening of the school theatre, and a fitness club with the opening of the gym. There is no school uniform.

As for accommodation, foreign students will be housed in a nearby apartment complex. The IESP has promised to lease the amount of apartments needed for students, with each apartment housing four, as the complex is relatively empty after it's recent opening. Each apartment is two-bedroomed, with a single bathroom in each, and a large open living space with an adjoining kitchen. Each apartment has a balcony. The apartments are a 3 minute walk from the school, meaning it shouldn't be a hassle to walk to the school. The IESP will also buy the furnishings for each apartment. Students will not need to pay the IESP for accommodation, and the IESP also pays their utility bills.

Accommodation

What To Do: Entertainment, Shopping, Other Activities

Herculos, the main town, is home to many shops, two supermarkets, as well as a small shopping centre located at the northern side of town. Merchants Street, in the town centre, is home to the busy town market that operates on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays, and is also the main shopping street. The shopping centre in the north of Herculos was built in 2002, and is currently home to a few stores as well as the island's only cinema. Plans to build a 30-store shopping centre were proposed, however have been scrapped, in favour of building a new shopping area in the town, with several streets and such, construction beginning in 2020.

The town's beach is clean and safe, with the water being crystal clear, stretching from the town's marina and ferry pier to the rocky inlets to the east of the town. The sea is generally calm here, waves being broken by rocks out at sea. With the generally high temperatures year-round, the beach is always a desirable place to go all the time, no matter what time of year, and most of it is on a lengthy promenade that can also become a bustling scene of nightlife.

There are bars and restaurants everywhere on the island. The island only has two nightclubs; one in Herculos and one in Athena. Night Owls, the nightclub in Herculos, is opened on every Thursday through Sunday night usually, however during summer and winter vacation, may be open every second night. It can hold approximately 1000 clubbers, often reaching capacity on Friday and Saturday nights. Fleek is the nightclub in Athena, which has similar opening times to that of the nightclub in Herculos, and holds a similar amount of people, and also reaches capacity on the same nights. Fleek is often considered the better of the two, with cheaper prices for drinks, cheaper admission and generally just a better venue, however Night Owls is still not bad.

Herculos Shopping Centre

Merchant's Street, although the market was not on that day

Section of the Herculos Beach, more rocky than other parts of the generally sandy beach

Geography and Climate

Skelios is an island, with a generally hilly terrain, and only a few "flat" areas, most of those being built on, e.g Herculos is built on the relatively flat Herculos Bay. There is a Mediterranean climate, with hot summers and mild winters. Rain is scarce during most of the year, so lots of water is pumped from the ocean, and then treated to remove the salt content. This is irrigated onto the island's farmland, which helps the vineyards and wine producers grow grapes. The highest point on the island is the only mountain, Mt. Skelios, which peaks at 688 metres.

The average temperature for the summer months is about 30ºC, and the average temperature for winter months is around 14ºC. Rainfall is usually only experienced in the middle of winter, when the high pressure that keeps clouds and wind at bay gives way. But usually there may be only a couple of days of rainfall from months March to October, and a cool breeze is usually felt from September to May annually.

Culture

While Eypidic is the native tongue of all of Skelios' inhabitants, most speak very good English, as they began learning it at age five. While Eypidic and English is really the only language for locals, some businesses etc might know some terms in foreign languages to cater to foreign customers. Latin is also a well known language, but it isn't as popular to learn as English.

Skelios' population tends to be more open-minded and progressive when it comes to social issues, similar to the rest of Eypida. An abortion clinic opened in Herculos in 2011, which was welcomed by the town's inhabitants, and since 2004 same-sex marriage has been legalized, and totally 45 same-sex marriages have been performed on the island of Skelios. Clothing is one way to judge someone in Eypidic society, with tight tops and revealing outfits being frowned upon for women, however the same does not apply to men. Women usually wear light and looser tops, and miniskirts are too frowned upon. Men and women are equal in society, with no visible wage gap based on sex. the warm and welcoming nature of Eypidic citizens comes to a stop if one commits a crime or steps out of line. Drunkards are treated badly by society, many being forced into alleyways to stay out of public sight when drunk. Crimes also have harsh punishments compared to other countries, such as murder means a lifetime of hard labour.

Eypidic cuisine varies by area, but pastas and imported rice play an important role, as well as salads. In Skelios, a common dish for the evening meal is fish or pork laid on a bed of rice, accompanied by a salad, and wine is a common drink with the meal, as wine is produced on the island. There is also homemade brown bread and butter eaten with the evening meal, as a sort of started. Breakfast is commonly fruit or fruit salad, served with crackers and juice. Lunch is usually similar to breakfast, fruits being the predominant choice. Wine is cheap on the island, as it is produced on the island's vast vineyards. Spices are often served with meals, and can be bought cheaply in markets across the island.

Other Information for Students

Here is a list of other important infortmation for students:

• Age of Consent is 13, however you are only permitted to have sex with someone your own age, a year younger, or a year older, until the age of 16, when you may have sexual intercourse with anyone from the ages of 15 and up.
• Age of Purchasing Alcohol is 18, however due to loopholes in law, it is completely legal to have anyone purchase alcoholic drinks for anyone under the age of 18. The nightclubs permit anyone over the age of 16 to enter, and most 18 year olds and older are more than happy to purchase a drink for you!
• Credit and Debit cards should work fine in Eypida. If you need an Eypidic one, the IESP will be more than happy to provide you one. The IESP also gives a monthy allowance of $100 to every student.
• Jobs are available all over the island.
• Bringing guns and other weapons into the country is permitted, as long as you have gotten permission from the government beforehand, often received at the Eypidic embassy in your nation.
• All recreational and synthethic drugs are strictly prohibited, except for marijuana. Marijuana is sold to anyone over the age of 18, although it does cost quite a bit, and few stores sell it.
• A student visa will be issued by the IESP to you for your entry to Eypida.

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I will be updating it a bit, e.g adding new photos and putting in my gallery section as I did in Luna. But mainly all the wording is done. Mainly just pics now If you have any questions, feel free to ask, I probably forgot to include that answer

So yeah, this is my bid. After hosting in IESP 2, I knew I wanted to come back to host it again, but I was unsure how. I'd like to see IESP turn from the big, glamorous, sparking, dazzling cities for once and explore a more quiet and more intimate location

[Meriad]

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Húsavik 2017 - Your World Awaits You

THE COUNTRY

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Húsavik's location in Meriad.

Meriad is a small northern country, with a population of only 16.9 million in its 151,586 square miles of majestic mountains, stunning fjords, and welcoming cities. It is a constitutional monarchy, and is divided up into twenty-one administrative regions, the most significant political subdivisions of the country. As a result of its party-list proportional representation, the government is formed based on coalitions instead of dominance by a single political party, and the government is currently controlled by Prime Minister Jans Nordvich and the National Democratic Party, with parliamentary support from the Ströstaflanger Party and the Conservative Party.

Culturally, Meriad is definitively nordic, stemming from its roots as a series of colonies founded during the viking age by marauders-turned-farmer. Despite the culture of violence that one would expect from such an origin, Meriad tends to be exceptionally pacifist, and has not been engaged in a major international conflict in over fifty years. Laws are generally conservative, and are enforced by a variety of agencies, ranging from regional police forces to the Civil Police Service.

For more information on Meriad, please click here.

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THE CITY

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Húsavik is the fourth-largest city in Meriad, with a population of nearly one million. It is located on the coast of the southern area of the country, and is the capital and largest city of Varelsaen Administrative Region. The economy is mainly based on maritime business, whether it be fishing or commercial shipping through the city's deepwater port. Húsavik is also a notable tourist destination in Meriad as a result of its close proximity to several of Meriad's largest national parks, most notably Sjoland Rocks National Park to the south and Valleberga National Park to the southwest.

Transportation: Húsavik is laid out along the coast in such a manner that very little long-distance ground transportation is necessary. Small ferry boats operate as the city's public transportation system, and ferry pedestrians between several points throughout the city. Most locations are within easy walking distance from ferry docks. Although the free ferry boats are generally on-schedule, delays can occur, and separate boats are also available for hire if more speedy water transportation is necessary. The city also operates a bus service, although buses are much less frequent than the boats. Should inexpensive ground transportation be required, bicycles may be rented from a number of stations around the city, one of which is directly across the street from the student dormitories.

Language: Although the national language of Meriad, Meriadni, is the conversational language of the country, a very high percentage of Húsaviker also speak conversational English. Menus, instructions, and classes are generally offered in both languages, and are likely available nearly everywhere upon request. Meriadni is also very similar to Finnish and Norwegian, and students speaking those or similar languages may be able to converse with Húsaviker using those languages.

Cuisine: Meriadni cuisine is primarily based on the country's proximity to both the ocean and the mountains. Seafood is a very popular dish, and is available and nearly any restaurant and in nearly any imaginable form. Increasing globalization has also made foreign food items such as pizzas, sushi, and pastas more readily available across the country. Húsavik is no different, although students will also have full access to the school's cafeteria throughout the exchange. The cafeteria offers authentic Meriadni cuisine as well as international favorites, as the school has a high percentage of international students.

Climate: Because Húsavik is further to the south than many locations in Meriad, it tends to be well below the national temperature average. Daytime temperatures during the exchange will be between 53 degrees Fahrenheit and and 63 degrees Fahrenheit, with nighttime lows plunging to roughly 41 degrees. Warm clothes are definitely advisable for international students, although the college's bookstore does sell a range of cold-weather attire should students misplace of neglect to bring warm clothing.

THE SCHOOL

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The main entrance of Nordhold College in February.

Nordholm College is a small liberal-arts school, and specializes in fields of study such as geology and music, as well as a superb school of business. It has a student body of just over 5,000, 400 of whom are international students and 178 of whom are postgraduate students. The average class size is around 14 students, although the more specialized classes that students will have an option to take may be as small as 8 students. Students who require lodging are housed in four different dormitory buildings, one of which contains nearly all international students. All of the students participating in the International Exchange Student Program will be housed in the Fjoldstegg Building, which is five minutes away from any point on campus.

THE ACTIVITIES

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Activities: Because of Nordholm's stellar geology program, students interested in that subject are all invited to participate in a four-day excursion to Sjoland Rocks National Park. National Parks in Meriad are very different from parks in most other countries, and motor vehicles are prohibited except by permit. This allows the natural landscape to be enjoyed in a perfectly unaltered manner. Students attending the trip will be bused to the airport, take a helicopter into the park, and then be dropped off with camping gear along with several guides and their professor. They will then hike for the next four days, exploring the park from a geological and geographical standpoint what enjoying the serene beauty of Meriad's untouched wilderness.

A normal student dorm in the Fjoldstegg Building.

Students with musical talents will also be invited to play with any number of the school's musical groups, ranging from choruses and a capella groups to a full orchestral led and conducted by faculty. A range of other options are also available in the city and the region, ranging from guided fishing trips in the mountains to day trips to other cities in the south of the country.

Outside of school-sponsored activities, there are also a large range of activities available to students, both at Nordholm and throughout the city. The college's library is small, but contains a wide variety of Meriadni and international literature, as well as music downloads from around the world. The Húsavik Public Library is also large and well-stocked, and is a common place for studying and socializing students to congregate when not in classes. The library has an in-house bookstore, and is connected to two different inexpensive restaurants by enclosed (and heated!) walkways.

One of the several study rooms available
to students in the Húsavik Public Library
building near the campus.

Because of Húsavik's status as a tourist destination, there are also various shopping opportunities available to students in the city. The Lone Spruce Retail Complex is fifteen minutes away from the school's campus by foot, or five minutes by bicycle. It hosts a variety of shops, ranging from bookstores and clothing retailers to fast food restaurants and a game store. Nordholm will provide all students with a two-hundred-dollar gift card to the complex, redeemable in part or in whole at any of the stores in the mall.

Húsavik's proximity to the ocean also means that a good number of aquatic opportunities are available for exchange students. Although the water is quite chilly this time of year (around 60 degrees Fahrenheit), there are several good swimming and diving spots around the city, especially at a pier near the school. For students proficient in sailing, the school owns three small sailboats that may be taken out among the fjords following a basic check of sailing skills by a faculty member. These boats are docked at the ferry dock closest to the school.

THE LOGISTICS

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Students will arrive at the J. R. Halvorson Memorial Airport via Järnfjórdur International Airport, as Halvorson Memorial is not a destination for international flights. Students will be met at their gates in Järnfjórdur upon arrival, and escorted to a lounge until all students are accounted for. School personnel will then escort students to a private charter aircraft for the hour and a half flight to Halvorson Memorial Airport, where students will regain their baggage.

THE LAWS

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Meriad's Laws generally allow for a good deal of personal freedoms, although crime is dealt with severely. This means that some things that might be illegal for students in their host countries will be legal in Meriad.

Alcohol: The legal drinking age in Meriad is 19, so most students should be able to legally obtain and consume alcohol. It is advisable to consume alcohol in reasonable quantities, however, as public drunkenness can result in a night in jail and a minimum fine of $900 NSD. Repeat offences may result in the student in question being returned to their country of origin.

Drugs: Drugs that could be used 'recreationally' are generally very difficult to come by, and students will almost certainly be unable to obtain any.

Age of Consent: The legal age of consent in Meriad is 17, so there should be no problem with school faculty or local law enforcement.

STUDENT ESSENTIALS

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• Because the daytime temperatures will be hovering in the upper 50's and low 60's during the exchange, warm clothes are advisable. For students wishing to participate in the geology trip, a good pair of hiking boots are a must, as well as a warm sleeping bag. All other gear will be provided by the school. There is no school uniform, but conservative clothing is a good idea, especially for women.
• For the most part, students can survive the exchange without using very much money at all. Access to the school's cafeteria is granted to all exchange students free of charge, and it is open from 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM. Students are also all provided with a $200 gift certificate to the mall, allowing them to splurge a bit without breaking their bank accounts wide open. Bringing some money is probably a good idea despite this, as renting bicycles does require a bit of pocket money.
• Student identification will be provided, allowing students to check out books from both the school's library and the city's library. For other activities requiring identification, such as purchasing alcohol, students should bring either a passport or some form of valid government-issued identification.

[Socialist Mercanda]

(Image)

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Húsavik 2017 - Your World Awaits You

THE COUNTRY

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Meriad is a small northern country, with a population of only 16.9 million in its 151,586 square miles of majestic mountains, stunning fjords, and welcoming cities. It is a constitutional monarchy, and is divided up into twenty-one administrative regions, the most significant political subdivisions of the country. As a result of its party-list proportional representation, the government is formed based on coalitions instead of dominance by a single political party, and the government is currently controlled by Prime Minister Jans Nordvich and the National Democratic Party, with parliamentary support from the Ströstaflanger Party and the Conservative Party.

Culturally, Meriad is definitively nordic, stemming from its roots as a series of colonies founded during the viking age by marauders-turned-farmer. Despite the culture of violence that one would expect from such an origin, Meriad tends to be exceptionally pacifist, and has not been engaged in a major international conflict in over fifty years. Laws are generally conservative, and are enforced by a variety of agencies, ranging from regional police forces to the Civil Police Service.

For more information on Meriad, please click here.

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THE CITY

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Húsavik is the fourth-largest city in Meriad, with a population of nearly one million. It is located on the coast of the southern area of the country, and is the capital and largest city of Varelsaen Administrative Region. The economy is mainly based on maritime business, whether it be fishing or commercial shipping through the city's deepwater port. Húsavik is also a notable tourist destination in Meriad as a result of its close proximity to several of Meriad's largest national parks, most notably Sjoland Rocks National Park to the south and Valleberga National Park to the southwest.

Transportation: Húsavik is laid out along the coast in such a manner that very little long-distance ground transportation is necessary. Small ferry boats operate as the city's public transportation system, and ferry pedestrians between several points throughout the city. Most locations are within easy walking distance from ferry docks. Although the free ferry boats are generally on-schedule, delays can occur, and separate boats are also available for hire if more speedy water transportation is necessary. The city also operates a bus service, although buses are much less frequent than the boats. Should inexpensive ground transportation be required, bicycles may be rented from a number of stations around the city, one of which is directly across the street from the student dormitories.

Language: Although the national language of Meriad, Meriadni, is the conversational language of the country, a very high percentage of Húsaviker also speak conversational English. Menus, instructions, and classes are generally offered in both languages, and are likely available nearly everywhere upon request. Meriadni is also very similar to Finnish and Norwegian, and students speaking those or similar languages may be able to converse with Húsaviker using those languages.

Cuisine: Meriadni cuisine is primarily based on the country's proximity to both the ocean and the mountains. Seafood is a very popular dish, and is available and nearly any restaurant and in nearly any imaginable form. Increasing globalization has also made foreign food items such as pizzas, sushi, and pastas more readily available across the country. Húsavik is no different, although students will also have full access to the school's cafeteria throughout the exchange. The cafeteria offers authentic Meriadni cuisine as well as international favorites, as the school has a high percentage of international students.

Climate: Because Húsavik is further to the south than many locations in Meriad, it tends to be well below the national temperature average. Daytime temperatures during the exchange will be between 53 degrees Fahrenheit and and 63 degrees Fahrenheit, with nighttime lows plunging to roughly 41 degrees. Warm clothes are definitely advisable for international students, although the college's bookstore does sell a range of cold-weather attire should students misplace of neglect to bring warm clothing.

THE SCHOOL

---

Nordholm College is a small liberal-arts school, and specializes in fields of study such as geology and music. It has a student body of just over 5,000, 400 of whom are international students and 178 of whom are postgraduate students. The average class size is around 14 students, although the more specialized classes that students will have an option to take may be as small as 8 students. Students who require lodging are housed in four different dormitory buildings, one of which contains nearly all international students. All of the students participating in the International Exchange Student Program will be housed in the Fjoldstegg Building, which is five minutes away from any point on campus.

Activities: Because of Nordholm's stellar geology program, students interested in that subject are all invited to participate in a four-day excursion to Sjoland Rocks National Park. National Parks in Meriad are very different from parks in most other countries, and motor vehicles are prohibited except by permit. This allows the natural landscape to be enjoyed in a perfectly unaltered manner. Students attending the trip will be bused to the airport, take a helicopter into the park, and then be dropped off with camping gear along with several guides and their professor. They will then hike for the next four days, exploring the park from a geological and geographical standpoint what enjoying the serene beauty of Meriad's untouched wilderness.

Students with musical talents will also be invited to play with any number of the school's musical groups, ranging from choruses and a capella groups to a full orchestral led and conducted by faculty. A range of other options are also available in the city and the region, ranging from guided fishing trips in the mountains to day trips to other cities in the south of the country.

THE LOGISTICS

---

Students will arrive at the J. R. Halvorson Memorial Airport via Järnfjórdur International Airport, as Halvorson Memorial is not a destination for international flights. Students will be met at their gates in Järnfjórdur upon arrival, and escorted to a lounge until all students are accounted for. School personnel will then escort students to a private charter aircraft for the hour and a half flight to Halvorson Memorial Airport, where students will regain their baggage.

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This bid is still a work in progress, so please excuse any major holes in information. This is my first time doing something like this, so comments would be very helpful. I'll add some more images later as well.

IESP is really mainly teenage students usually attending high school or secondary school, not college