
International Students House
An Overview
For the coming months, Sofia from the Marketing Department of International Students House is going to write several articles about ISH, its departments and offers as well as about life in London and events people in London must not miss.
Sofia is an English and German Studies student with a keen interest in journalism and marketing. Moreover, she is a London lover. So stay tuned!
For some, ISH might be affordable accommodation in central London, for others a great place for meeting people from all over the world or an organisation that offers a large number of exciting events. The truth is that not everyone that benefits from ISH exploit its full potential.
ISH is namely much more than what its name suggests. As a charity dedicated to British as well as international students in London, it does offer accommodations to 600 residents. But, moreover, it provides a broad range of services such as the following:
- A student social centre in central London
- The ISHBAR — A student members’ bar with student friendly prices
- The Venue 229 — A live music venue
- The Bistro — A student restaurant
- A scholarships programme
- A welfare officer
- A hardship fund
- A programme of free events and activities for residents and student members to take part in
- Affordable student accommodation in safe, and convenient locations for single people, couples and families
- A Christmas entertainment programme for students that are staying in London over Christmas
- The Educational programme
- A Travel Club offering students the chance to explore the UK and Europe at prices subsidised by up to 50%
- A Theatre club offering students tickets to the theatre at prices subsidised by up to 50%
All of these offers make ISH a lively student centre based in the heart of London, that is valued by its residents and members. Once students have lived at ISH for more than three months, they can become members of The Goats Club, that was started in 1956 by Mary Trevelyan as a get-together for overseas students studying in London, offering support and the possibility to meet new people. Today The Goats Club is the alumni association of ISH.
ISH’s aim is, to give international students a home in London enabling them to achieve their academic goals, learn about different cultures and make friends and memories for life.
— Carol Sutcliffe, Human Resources & Development Manager
In its 52 years of existence, ISH strived to fulfil the mission set by its founder Mary Trevelyan, whose vision was to provide an environment that assists the progress and development of today’s youth, regardless of gender, religion and social or geographical origin. With the foundation of ISH, Mary Trevelyan created a place, where students get the support that they need to achieve their desired education and career. At the same time, they have the opportunity to broaden their horizons and experience a wealth of culture by getting to know other students from widely different cultural backgrounds. This encounter enables overseas students to familiarise themselves with life in the UK and to get a deeper understanding of British culture. Mutual comprehension can serve as a basis for friendship and is important for successful international relations.

According to Carol Sutcliffe, the reasons that students like to live here are the same for the staff. The diversity of people that you meet isn’t something that you just find at the students, but also with the staff. Working here, enables you to get to know people from all over the world, sometimes from countries and cities you didn’t know existed. You get to hear, first hand, what life is like in those countries, whether than having it heard on the media. Even if you have been somewhere at holiday, meeting people from that country is better to get to understand its society and culture. It is hard to find another organisation that gives you an introduction to other countries.
Indeed ISH’s 138 employees are from 40 different countries, speaking 26 different mother-tongues. They are keeping Mary Trevelyan’s mission and the organisational values alive:
RESPECT, TRUST AND INTEGRITY, SUPPORT, PROGRESSIVE, QUALITY. Thereby they help students from around the world to develop and take new skills back to their countries, to contribute to international growth and relations.

by Sofia Eleftheriadi-Zacharaki
ISH Marketing
