Welcome to all our returning and new students for the start of the academic year 2012 - 2013. Here at International Students House (ISH) we house around 700 residents, male and female, undergraduates and postgraduates, single and married students and some with children, a very diverse and multi cultural environment. This year we have students from 100 nations living under one roof representing such countries as Afghanistan, Cameroon, Estonia and Moldova, Nepal and Uzbekistan. We also have over 70,000 non resident students in membership of the House with virtually every institution of higher education in London members of ISH, so if you want to get involved in all the activities of ISH then just show your college card for entry.
International Students House was established as a charity on this site in Regent’s Park in 1965 although our history goes back to 1917 when Student Movement House was founded in memory of students killed in World War One. Our mission has remained the same since which is to promote international friendship and understanding. As part of that we are the lead organiser and funder in a joint scholarship programme, which together with our partners, spends over £1.1million on scholarships for nearly 50 students living at ISH. They are all from the developing world with a mission to return to their countries to help their nation’s future development.
London is by far the international knowledge capital of the world with nearly 417,000 students studying in higher education (2009/2010). International students represent 25% of all higher education students in London with 102,000 studying over here. This is an almost 10% increase on the previous year. To put this in context the number two in the UK is Greater Manchester with just over 17,000 international students (2009/2010).
London has an even greater concentration at the postgraduate level, where nearly 40% of all postgraduates are from abroad. ISH plays a special accommodation role since we are one of the few organisations in London that provide family accommodation dedicated to international and British postgraduates.
To further emphasise the role of London in international education around 25% of all international students in the UK study in London. Future growth is projected for many years to come and in order to keep up, London needs to provide better support services and more reasonably priced accommodation for our international (and UK) students.
Come and get involved in your home away from home and take advantage of all the many facilities and activities on offer here at ISH for international and UK students.
Come to ISH and make some life long friendships with other students from all around the globe.
With very best wishes,
Peter Anwyl
Executive Director