International Students House has been home to students from every corner of the world for over 6o years — a place where lifelong friendships are born and unforgettable memories are made.
This collection of stories celebrates the people who have lived, learned, and grown within our walls. From first impressions of London life to the connections that continue years later, each story is a reminder of what makes ISH so special: a community that always feels like home.
Responsibility, integration, and empathy – Astrid’s ISH experience
Astrid Saint talks about her time at International Students House (Great Portland Street), moving from Malta to London during the...
From Uncertainty to Belonging: Life at ISH London
Written by Victor Ujor – ISH resident 2005 to 2011, Mary Tevelyan Hall (MTH, York Terrace East) I was both...
Finding Family Away From Home
Written by Sara Serinelli (ISH Resident 2018) In my search for accommodation, I ended up talking to an Italian girl...
ISH in the 2010s: A Leap of Faith and a London Miracle
Written by Ana Lúcia Trincão Tomaz Serrano (ISH Resident 2014-15) Despite already working at the time, I took a leap...
Living at ISH in the 2000s: Franklin Obeng-Odoom
Franklin Obeng-Odoom, Professor of Global Development Studies at the University of Helsinki, describes how his International Students House experience shaped...
ISH in the 1990s | Uncommon People
Written by Mike Bond (1999 ISH Resident) for our newsletter in 2021 One thing struck me about ISH. People were...
Bruce Strachan – life after ISH (1980s Resident)
Bruce Strachan, who stayed at ISH in 1983, shares the story of his art career and move to Ethiopia and...
ISH in the 1970s: An Education of the Heart by Heather Craven
Written by Heather Craven (ISH Resident 1976 – 1979) I was so fortunate to have been interviewed by Liz Ware...
ISH in the 1960s: Richard O Bovey
Written by Richard O Bovey Back in 1968, destiny smiled on me as I earned a coveted spot in the Notre...
ISH in the 1960s: Pierre du Prey – the budding Architectural Historian who fell in love with ISH
By Pierre du Prey (Resident at ISH 1965-66) Arriving in London on the 28th of June 1965, my first task...
ISH in the 1960s: Peter Willis
One of the first residents of International Students House, Peter Willis, reflects on the Goats Club, the opening of the...
Celebrating 60 Years of International Students House
International Students House (ISH) has fostered global friendships, cultural exchange, and support for students from around the world for 60...
Bridging the gap between the West and the East through music and translation – Gene Hsu
Written by Gene Hsu I am an alumnus of ISH in 2021-22 and obtained my MA in Translation at London...
Building Belonging and Inclusion for International Students Workshop
On Tuesday I got the chance to attend a workshop hosted by a former ISH resident Aneeza Pervez (now based...
Alumni Feature: Alim Beisembayev
Alim Beisembayev was given an incredible opportunity to perform one of Sergei Rachmaninoff’s famous concertos to a sold out Royal...