The winner will receive a free round trip ticket on the continent of their choice, and two runner ups will each receive a $100 gift card of their choice.  And the best part is that our cardholders get to choose who it will be!

• Submit your photo by email to contest@isecard.com, be sure to include your name and contact details.
• We’ll collect photo submissions from now until March 2nd, 2012.
• On Friday, March 2nd, we’ll post our top picks as finalists on this blog spot and on our facebook page.
• Voting begins March 2nd and will continue until April 2nd when the winner will be announced.
• To vote for your favorite, all you have to is leave a comment on this blog or on the ISE Card facebook page with the number of the contestant you are voting for.  One entry per person please.
• We’ll announce the winner April 2nd.

Tips for photo submissions:  A high resolution photo is preferred and should be a clear and appropriate face shot.

Keep in mind, the ISE Card represents international students from around the world…

Contest entry and voting is open to everyone over the age of 18 everywhere except where prohibited.

Photos submissions become the property of ISE Cards.

]]> http://blog.isecard.com/index.php/ise-card-cyber-model-search/feed http://blog.isecard.com/index.php/winner-selected http://blog.isecard.com/index.php/winner-selected#comments Tue, 17 Jan 2012 22:51:31 +0000 Lisa http://blog.isecard.com/?p=259

Congratulations Elizabeth Hayman!!!!

You have been selected in the ISE Card random drawing for a free 6 stop Busabout flixipass!!!!

Thank you Busabout for this fantastic prize and thank you to all our loyal ISE Cardholders

or your entries!

Visit this blog frequently for more opportunities to win cool travel swag!

]]> http://blog.isecard.com/index.php/winner-selected/feed http://blog.isecard.com/index.php/contest-announcement http://blog.isecard.com/index.php/contest-announcement#comments Fri, 16 Dec 2011 21:10:38 +0000 Lisa http://blog.isecard.com/?p=223

ISE Cards and Busabout would like to show appreciation to our student travelers

with a FREE flexi pass from Busabout!

Busabout is teaming up with ISE cards to offer one lucky winner a 6 stop Flexi Pass good for travel through Europe anytime from May-October 2012 - worth £349.     To enter:  Take the “How well do you know Busabout” quiz then send your name, ISE Card number and email address to  contest@isecard.com.   Entries must be received by January 14th, random drawing from all eligible entries will be held on January 16th, winner notified by email and announced in the February TravelwISE TIPs newsletter.

(This prize has no redeemable value and does NOT include accommodation, meals and transfer connection costs to the point of departure.  Standard terms & conditions apply)

Hint: Visit the Busabout website for clues.  And remember, ISE Cardholders always get a special discount with Busabout!

How does Busabout work?

Simple - you hop-on and hop-off our network around Europe. It’s what independent travel is all about: the ability to design your own trip, go where you want and stay as long as you want. Your travel sectors can be pre-booked online or with the Guides on the buses and you are free to change your mind as often as you want (just be careful around the really busy Festivals like Oktoberfest and Pamplona!).

Click here to visit Busabout online

Not an ISE Cardholder?

]]> http://blog.isecard.com/index.php/contest-announcement/feed http://blog.isecard.com/index.php/world-etiquette http://blog.isecard.com/index.php/world-etiquette#comments Fri, 09 Dec 2011 20:41:57 +0000 Lisa http://blog.isecard.com/?p=219 As they say… “When in Rome, do as the Romans do”   What if you are in Thailand, Australia or London? Would you seamlessly fit in, or would you be in danger of unknowingly offending your host?  What is viewed as acceptable behavior in some countries may considered offensive in another.  Here a few basic etiquette tips to help you be a gracious guest as you travel about.

Greetings

Japan: A bow ranging from a slight nod to a full body bow is customary among locals. However, visitors are not expected to know the specific greeting customs.

France: When greeting someone you know on a personal level, a faire la bise (kiss cheeks) is customary.  A simple handshake is also acceptable.  Verbal greetings of Bonjour or Bonsoir are given generously and frequently, even in public places such as boarding a bus one may give a quiet bonjour to all other passengers.

Australia: Expect to be greeted by first name and with a big smile, a firm handshake and a hardy G’day mate!

Table Manners

Turkey: Don’t eat with your left hand, it’s considered unclean.  To show you are done eating, place your knife and fork close together on your plate.  Many people in Turkey smoke at the table while eating, it would be rude to ask someone to stop.

South Africa: Place your napkin in your lap when seated.   Cross your knife and fork on your plate to show you are still eating, when done eating place your knife and fork closely together next to your plate.  Never leave food on your plate when done eating.

Spain: Place your knife and fork parallel across your plate with the handles to the right to show you’re done eating.  Rest your wrists on the edge of the table and never eat with your fingers.  Expect to have a late dinner, many restaurants don’t even open till 9pm.

Gift Giving/Receiving

Argentina: Open gifts right away and show appreciation. Give gifts of flowers, candy or imported liquors.

Japan: Don’t open a wrapped gift right away. Give and receive gifts with both hands, and thank you gifts are customary and expected.

Russia: Don’t give yellow flowers, or an even number of flowers.  Expect a Russian to protest if you give a gift, keep insisting until they accept it.

Body language

Greece: Don’t give the “ok” sign as it appears vulgar.  To signal yes is a slight downward nod while no is indicated by a slight upward nod of the head.

United Kingdom: Never make the V for victory sign with your palm facing yourself. You can tap you nose to indicate that what your saying is confidential (just like in the movies). Watch personal space when out in public.

Singapore: Never touch someone’s head – it’s sacred. Don’t show the bottoms of your feet, and don’t tap or point with your foot. Don’t pound your fist into your hand, and no PDA’s.

More travel info:

ISE Card travel handbook http://www.isecard.com/travel/ise_general_handbook.pdf

Student Airfare  http://isecard.com/isecard/airfares/index.html

Search student discounts http://isecard.com/isecard/airfares/index.html

Not an ISE cardholder?  click the image below

Technorati Tags: travel, travel customs

Are you a cultural globe-trotter or an eco-traveler? Do you plan your whole trip or leave plenty of time for unplanned excursions? Find out your travel style with this short travel quiz… Enjoy!

Technorati Tags: ise card, travel, travel quiz

International Student Exchange Card – ISE Card!

   Don’t think it’s possible? Okay, I’ll show you!

I’ll visit the ISE Card website , click  ‘save on airline tickets worldwide’     and book a flight to London.  Now that’s taken care of, I need someplace to stay so I’ll click on ‘reserve hostel’  where I find a lovely budget hotel.  Now what? Okay, I’m going to take The Original Sightseeing Tour – you know, the hop-on-hop-off double-decker buses that show you the entire city!  Then, I’m going to the Tower of London, Warwick Castle, Madame Tussauds, the Churchill War Rooms and of course take a ride on the London Eye.  I found all of these attractions in the ISE Card discount database  and will get a discount at every one of them. 

 From there I’ll go to continental Europe, it’s been a while since I’ve been to Paris.  I’ll take the Eurostar from St Pancreas station – you guessed it, I can book it in advance on the ISE Card website.  I think I need a Eurail Pass to get around –  Sweet! With my rail pass purchase I get a twenty dollar cash rebate and a free Hostel Res Card!  Wow, I thought the ISE Card hostel reservation booking engine was cool – the Hostel Res Card   has multiple hostel networks, everything from hostels with a party atmosphere, owner operated budget hotels, hostels in popular places and traditional hostels.  Hmmm, I just booked a cozy room in Paris at an affordable hotel located in the popular Montmartre area. I will certainly climb the Eiffel Tower and check out the Arc de Triumph before heading on to Italy where I’ll stay at a charming bed & breakfast then visit the Vatican Museum. Good thing I won’t have to wait in the humongous queue lines – I’ll book in advance on the ISE Card website in featured discounts.   

I hear Switzerland has a snow park with year round slopes and half pipes at Mount Titlis and they give discounts to ISE Cardholders!  Wow, after all that skiing and snow sledding, I’ll probably need some chocolate – Belgium bound! There is a lace and chocolate gallery in Bruges that gives 10% off to ISE Cardholders. I can ride the bike I rent from Adventure Bike and Scooter Rentals, of course I’ll pay only half.   Back on the Train to Brussels where the Eurostar will whisk me back to London.  From there, I’ll buy a discounted National Express ticket and head to Edinburgh for some Scottish folk lore, the ISE Card travel planner talks about the Edinburgh Castle and King Arthur’s Seat, since I’ll be so close, I would love to see it before I head back to London for my return flight.  

Now that my trip is planned, mapped and booked, I just have to get to the airport on time! Oh wait, one more stop on the ISE Card website,  Helpful Travel Links, to get info about currency exchange rates, weather, travel warnings and passport requirements.  So there you have it. I can plan and book an entire European Trip on the ISE Card website!

Remember to bring your ISE Card

and leave some spare time in you itinerary for the unplanned, off the cuff side trips!

Technorati Tags: international travel, student travel, travel, travel planning

Every hostel bed you reserve on the ISE Card website in the month of April automatically enters you in a drawing for a FREE Britrail pass, Magic Adventure ticket or a travel pass on Baz Bus…

Hostels are a great way to stretch your travel dollars. You can stay in inexpensive, clean accommodations in great locations where you’ll meet other world travelers. The ISE Card hostel network will automatically waive the booking fee (normally $2 each) for over 20,000 hostels worldwide and you’ll be automatically entered into the drawing for free travel passes. Click here to book rooms and enter the drawing. Chances of winning depend on the number of entries received. Increase your chances by making multiple reservations!

So go ahead and make your summer travel plans now, and every reservation made during April will be entered into our contest and one lucky ISE cardholder will win their choice of:

• Britrail First Class Flexipass valid for 4 days of travel throughout Britain. The retail value is $489. This allows travel on the rail system in England, Wales and Scotland. Service is in First Class which includes meals and refreshments, depending on time of travel.
• 16 day “Magic Adventure” Pass around the North and South Islands of New Zealand - valued at NZ $975 - about US $670. Service is provide by Magic Bus and this is the website: http://www.magicbus.co.nz/main/Magic/index.cfm/parameters
• 21 day Travel Pass in South Africa on Baz Bus. Value: R 3,100 - (about US $429). This is a hop-on-hop off service that connects major tourist destinations and cities with stops at hostels, making it very convenient for backpackers because the bus will always drop them off and pick them up at reasonably priced accommodations where they can meet fellow travelers and from where they can explore the surrounding areas. http://www.bazbus.com/

The winner will be notified on May 5, and announced in the June TravelwISE newsletter. Must be an ISE Card holder to participate.

Technorati Tags: contest, international student card, ise card, student travel

Based on the votes from our readers, the grand prize winner is #2, Ho Ying Mui, a student at EF International Language School. She has won a free round-trip airline ticket within any continent!

The other two winners, who will each receive a $100 Amazon or iTunes gift card, are…

#3, Murilo Teldeschi, a student at Universidade Gama Filho in Brazil:

AND #6, Nicole Foster, a student at Central Arizona College in the United States:

Congratulations winners! Please contact us at contest@isecard.com to claim your prizes!

*Visitors might want to subscribe to our RSS feed to be notified of future contests.

Technorati Tags: contest, ise card, model, winners

How to Vote:

To vote, leave a comment that includes the number of the photo you are voting for. The number is listed below each photo. One vote per person.

Voting begins immediately and ends at 11:59pm MST on February 1^st 2010.

The Grand Prize winner and two finalists* will be announced on February 2nd 2010.

*Two more winners will be chosen by the ISE Cards staff.

Just a reminder that the Grand Prize winner will receive a free round-trip airline ticket within any continent and two other winners will each receive their choice of a $100 gift card to iTunes or Amazon.com.

#1	#2
#3	#4
#5	#6
#7	#8

Technorati Tags: contest, ise card, model

The grand prize is one round trip airline ticket within any content and two runner up prizes each worth US$100.

For information on how to enter, go to http://www.isecard.com/corporate/contest/index.html.

Hurry - you must enter by January 18, 2010.

Technorati Tags: airline ticket, contest, ise card