International Students House

About International Students House

ISH believe every young person should have the opportunity to succeed whatever their background.

International Students House Description

Close to London's West End and adjacent to the beautiful Regents Park, ISH is the ideal place for both British and overseas students to live whilst studying in London. We are also only three stops from Paris - who else can say that?

ISH offers a wide range of accommodation to suit all requirements. Events 365 days a year; culture evenings, themed suppers, lectures and debates, Travel Club and a full Christmas programme. . . ISH is a fabulous place to live!

Reviews

User

I Occur Here, is the story of a journey based on the life experiences of young migrants in a modern metropolis. Four young travellers, from different corners of the world, leave everything behind and embark on a journey with nothing but a burning desire to belong and fit in somewhere else. ‘I occur here’ is a play, composed of multicultural voices that questions the notion of home, and explores our endless capacity to overcome difficulties and adapt to new environments as human beings through laughter. www.ohdeartheatre.tumblr.com

User

Will you be studying at a top 200 University? Tell us which one in the comments.

User

You will have to start thinking about Freshers parties very soon. Beware of what you book and stay tuned with us as we are organising something very special! Not your regular party 😎😉

User

A bit of local ISHtory
1. View of the Farthing Pie House Inn (now The Green Man) 1708, Marylebone was a rural community and the inn was famous for selling mutton pies for a farthing. Many writers of the day such as Daniel Defoe, Alexander Pope and William Blake would visit and buy one of these famous pies.
2. View of The Jew's Harp public-house situated near Portland Place and possibly on the site ISH now occupies.
... The poet William Blake mentions both taverns and the fields in his poem 'Jerusalem, the Emanation of the Giant Albion'
The Jew’s-harp House and the Green Man, The Ponds where boys to bathe delight, The fields of cows by William’s farm, Shine in Jerusalem’s pleasant sight.
See More

User

Great documentary for all of you coming to study here next year! Get familiar with the city, the famous 'Tube' and some history 😍👨‍💻👩‍💻

User

Moving to London in September / October? Here is some reading inspiration.
1. London by Peter Ackroyd The definitive biography of London, from Roman origins to modern times. This is a BIG, BIG book. Start now and you'll be done finished by the time you graduate!
... 2. Londoners by Craig Taylor Taylor interviewed 80 Londoners to paint an oral portrait of the city as told by those who live and work here – from the tube train announcer to the Buckingham Palace guard.
3. City of the Mind by Penelope Lively Divorced architect Matthew Halland sees London past and presents all at once, as streets and buildings peel back layers and facades before him, offering up both the history of the city and a fresh perspective on his future.
4. The Heat of the Day Elizabeth Bowen For those of you coming to live at ISH Regents Park, this book is set in the opening years of the war paints Regent’s Park as an idyll and hub of sexual intrigue and international espionage.
5. White Teeth by Zadie Smith An epic story with themes of immigration, family life, love and betrayal all set to the backdrop of the capital in the 1970s. Told from the viewpoints of different family members, including Archie Jones, a working-class Londoner married to a beautiful, toothless Jamaican woman, and his war-time friend, Samad Iqbal, a devout Muslim who finds himself corrupted by British society, drinking and committing adultery with his sons’ school teacher.
See More

User

If you are as Rick and Morty fans as we are, you are in for a treat next September! We are hosting a talk with Funzing about the science behind the series. If you are an ISH Resident/GOAT make sure you tell us ASAP so we can reserve a spot for you, it will definitely be a sold out!

User

This isn't a post about our recent The Goats Club Reunion. Enjoy.

User

This is a collection of the best highlights. If you want to see all the images go to the The Goats Club page!

User

All our venues were full this Sunday during the World Cup Final! Thank you everyone that came. Even if you were not aware, you helped the charity and future students to get scholarships and an opportunity to study in London.

User

As international as we are, this Sunday our venue will be full of Frenchies! Come enjoy the whole day experience🏆

User

*drumroll please* 'The Netflix of Talks' has arrived in London and our venue is a part of it. Sign up for unlimited access to Funzing Talks, which cover everything from neuroscience to serial killers! Join here: https://bit.ly/2N7zTUS

User

BRITISHISMS What Britishisms do you know?

User

This is going to be a busy one at the bar!!! Make sure you arrive early 🏆💖🤘

User

We are recruiting a Receptionist and a Business Development Executive. Apply Now
https://ish.org.uk/about-ish/work-with-us

User

BBC Earth's Open Ocean: 10 Hours of Relaxing Oceanscapes. Mesmerizingly beautiful... leave it on like a screensaver?

User

We have another event with Funzing confirmed! this time the lovely Plantbased Pixie will visit us to talk about nutrition with FACTS! Beware GymBros!

User

The Hungry Scholar is OPEN now for some late night food.
Come grab a burger or hotdog from our Night Owl menu. 🍔🌭🍟🥓🍗
#burgers #hotdogs #latenightfood #welovethisbusiness #greatportlandst #maryleboneroad #eustonroad #regentspark #latenightgrub #grabandgo #foodonthego #foodontherun #gigfood #londonlife #livelondon #londongig #londonevents #centrallondon #katsu

User

Pride London is next Saturday 7th July but if you're looking for something less commercial or more in keeping with the true message of Pride here are a few suggestions.
UK Black Pride Celebrate LGBT+ diversity at this festival of music, dance and comedy from Africa, Asia and the Caribbean. With a message of pride, politics and inclusion at its core, there will also be food, drink and fundraising for the families of Grenfell Tower fire. This year’s invited speakers are Jeremy ...Corbyn, Diane Abbott and London Mayor Sadiq Khan. Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens. Vauxhall. Sun Jul 9, noon-9pm. Free.
Southwark LGBT Pride Centred around the community-owned Ivy House pub in Nunhead, this is a part-crowdfunded branch of Pride London with a refreshing mix of events. They’ll be showing historic LGBT+ documentary shorts for free, and on Thursday July 6 you can step out for a good time at ‘A Cabaret of Earthy Delights’ Russian LGBT Federation fundraiser, at £10 a ticket. Then cool off at a trans and gender-nonconforming swimming session in the Glass Mill Leisure Centre in Lewisham on Friday July 7, for £3.65. The Ivy House. Nunhead rail. Until Sun Jul 9.
Duckie DeCrim Celebrate with legendary cabaret night Duckie as they celebrate 50 years of ‘Decrim’ (-inalisation of ‘homosexual acts’) by turning the Royal Vauxhall Tavern into a banging 1960s gay block party. Royal Vauxhall Tavern. Vauxhall. Sat Jul 8, 9pm-3am. £10.
*****Or, if you can't make London Pride or want to get back to the roots of what Pride is really all about head to Margate Pride 11 August.
Margate Pride is a culture rich contemporary pride. A celebration of all queerness and LGBTQI life. Gay, straight, everything, nothing and all the in-between – it's DIY, it's friendly, it's by the sea and it has the BEST afterparty on EARTH!
https://www.facebook.com/margatepride Regular trains from St Pancras / Coach from Victoria Station*****
See More

User

SUMMER ACCOMMODATION OFFER

User

Went with my friends on an ISH event to Ballie Ballerson at Shoreditch. The giant glow in the dark ball pit was the perfect distraction and break I needed from school work! The place was lit and the event super instagrammable. Plus, it was free and we still were fed free pizzas and got free drinks!

User

Went for the bus tour and it was wonderful..the tea and snacks..the company and Jada everyone was super nice and it was one of the most memorable experiences!

User

Went for the ISH event, Ballie Ballerson at Shoreditch and had a blast! Free pizza and drink!

User

The best place to stay in central, you meet pallet of friends .. always ready to help and super welcoming!

User

The Afternoon Tea Bus tour organized by ISH was fantastic. A big shout out to Jada for being super friendly and engaging. Thank you ISH for organizing events that are so well planned and pocket friendly for students. Big cheers.

User

Really great place to stay! I Lived here for my first 3 years in London. 1989-1992. Met some fantastic people from around the world. Great memories!

User

I lived at ISH in 1997 and tear up sometimes about all of the fun I had there and all of the friends I made there which made my working holiday super awesome. I lived in the dorms and spent lots of money in the pub. If I ever make it back to London one day, I'd love to visit!!!

User

I had such an amazing time on the bus tour! The afternoon tea was delicious, will definitely go to more of the ISH’s events �

User

Hi all. I lived in ISH for almost 7 years. I know, it's impossible to spend 7 years in ISH, but it was my home for that long while studiying at Harrow College and the University of Westminster. I arrived in 1989 and found a great place to live and share with wonderful people from all around the world. I made my 14-G2 Flat a home and a place to study and work because as a Photographer I could make Photographs at home and we used to have a great Darkroom at No. 10 in the basement whre I spent days and nights developing my pictures. It was Very sad to leave ISH and come back to Colombia to start my own studio. I have never got in contact with any of the friends I made there. My Apple computer and my Amstrad "computer" where I did my Degree Final Proyect, did not have a modem, (the elctronic component that allowed computers to connect to the internet via a land telephone line) Cell phone were very expensive and big... So we did not have email adresses or web pages or Facebook contacts. I was married at tat time and that's why I spent so many years there, (two carreers, firt mine and then hers) It is a place I visit often using Google Earth.... But one day I'll take my wife and my 4 kids there. If anybody is planning to go to ISH, do not hesitate to do so! I think it is the best place to live as a student wherter you are single or married. Cheers to all at ISH and thanks for al the good times and memories. Carlos Echavarria S.

User

Had a lot of fun during the tour! It was awesome! �

User

Great place to stay as a student. All inclusive - restaurant, library, gymnasium, exercise room, dance hall, etc. Enjoyed my year 1983 there.

User

Extremely accommodating albeit basic. Excellent breakfast. Fantastic for its position. Where else could you stay in Central London for such a cheap price? Of course you will lose your tiny deposit if you are late checking out, thankfully not charged for an extra day and this is explained by the staff when you book in.



Immediately opposite Great Portland Street tube and close to Regents Park. Dead centre between Euston and Baker Street which are both 10 minute walks or a quick bus ride away on the very frequent buses.



Beds creak, but hey, this is cheap accommodation. The breakfast was always good.



Loads of us from St John Ambulance used to stay here, in the past, when we were covering large events in London.



I recommend this to anyone looking for very cheap and convenient safe accommodation in central London.

User

Great location , easy access from Great Portland station .Good quality of food and refreshments .Strongly recommend !

User

The website makes it seem like they only rent to students but they don't. We're staying in the dormitories, which is really hot and muggy all the time. There is a homeless man in the bed next to mine who is mean and yells to be quiet way before quiet hours have started. He leaves his trash everywhere and the room smells like nasty nachos.I'm all for helping the homeless but they should have a separate dormitory or something. Placing a 60+ year old man in a room with four college aged girls isn't ideal especially when it has now ruined our stay in London. He also wakes us up at 7 each morning hocking loogies in the sink for ten minutes. I wish this was an exaggeration. Beware of the dormitories.

User

Staying here completely ruined my first year of university and was possibly the worst decision of my entire life. I would give this place 0 stars if that was an option. A money-driven corporate machine and a joke of a "charity" that does not have any regard for its own residents (particularly long-stay students).

My full review is too long to post here - and you can't post URLs in a Facebook review.

Search for my Google Review to get the comprehensive edition with all of the juicy details of my horrifying experiences living at ISH...

User

Really really bad hostel avoid it like the plague the manager refused to give me the deposit back for being 10 minutes late handing in a room card. The card didn't let me into the room on the morning I was knocking on the dorm door to try and get into the room to get my stuff out???? He then insisted his staff were well trained and would have told me I would have lost my deposit for being 10 minutes late which I definitely wasn't told this so annoyed. Rip off merchants do not use this hostel they will rip you off.Worst hostel I have stayed in and I have backpacked around America.

User

I lived on the 3rd floor of the GPS building. I was on a 40 week student contract, moved in September 2016 and out in June 2017.

They assured us the comfortable and safe housing yet they cut the water and electricity supply off frequently because they were carrying out maintenance.



From February 2017 time till May 2017, they carried out refurbishment work on the third floor, a lot of loud drilling noise, really inconvenient considering how much we paid. When the members on my floor made a joint complaint to the manager and demanded compensation for the AWFUL experience we had, the manager Martin was extremely rude to a member on my floor and said we didn't deserve compensation. Just because ISH haven't previously issued any compensations doesn't mean we don't deserve it. We believe the reason why they carried out the renovation works during term time is because students can't get out of the 40 week contract and they didn't want to shut the building down over summer and renovate because the people living at ISH over summer pay more in rent so they took advantage of the students stuck in a 40 week contract.



The prices aren't cheaper compared to Central London rent prices, the twin premium room price is a rip off, there's nothing premium about the room whatsoever. ISH IS A MONEY HUNGRY ORGANISATION THAT IS A JOKE TO THE WORD CHARITY! I stand by the fact I and other members of the 3rd floor deserved compensation for the terrible wifi we had for 6 months, the frequent water and electricity supply cuts and the on going renovation for 4 months.

User

Went with my friends on an ISH event to Ballie Ballerson at Shoreditch. The giant glow in the dark ball pit was the perfect distraction and break I needed from school work! The place was lit and the event super instagrammable. Plus, it was free and we still were fed free pizzas and got free drinks!

User

Went for the bus tour and it was wonderful..the tea and snacks..the company and Jada everyone was super nice and it was one of the most memorable experiences!

User

Went for the ISH event, Ballie Ballerson at Shoreditch and had a blast! Free pizza and drink!

User

The best place to stay in central, you meet pallet of friends .. always ready to help and super welcoming!

User

The Afternoon Tea Bus tour organized by ISH was fantastic. A big shout out to Jada for being super friendly and engaging. Thank you ISH for organizing events that are so well planned and pocket friendly for students. Big cheers.

User

Really great place to stay! I Lived here for my first 3 years in London. 1989-1992. Met some fantastic people from around the world. Great memories!

User

I lived at ISH in 1997 and tear up sometimes about all of the fun I had there and all of the friends I made there which made my working holiday super awesome. I lived in the dorms and spent lots of money in the pub. If I ever make it back to London one day, I'd love to visit!!!

User

I had such an amazing time on the bus tour! The afternoon tea was delicious, will definitely go to more of the ISH’s events �

User

Hi all. I lived in ISH for almost 7 years. I know, it's impossible to spend 7 years in ISH, but it was my home for that long while studiying at Harrow College and the University of Westminster. I arrived in 1989 and found a great place to live and share with wonderful people from all around the world. I made my 14-G2 Flat a home and a place to study and work because as a Photographer I could make Photographs at home and we used to have a great Darkroom at No. 10 in the basement whre I spent days and nights developing my pictures. It was Very sad to leave ISH and come back to Colombia to start my own studio. I have never got in contact with any of the friends I made there. My Apple computer and my Amstrad "computer" where I did my Degree Final Proyect, did not have a modem, (the elctronic component that allowed computers to connect to the internet via a land telephone line) Cell phone were very expensive and big... So we did not have email adresses or web pages or Facebook contacts. I was married at tat time and that's why I spent so many years there, (two carreers, firt mine and then hers) It is a place I visit often using Google Earth.... But one day I'll take my wife and my 4 kids there. If anybody is planning to go to ISH, do not hesitate to do so! I think it is the best place to live as a student wherter you are single or married. Cheers to all at ISH and thanks for al the good times and memories. Carlos Echavarria S.

User

Had a lot of fun during the tour! It was awesome! �

User

Great place to stay as a student. All inclusive - restaurant, library, gymnasium, exercise room, dance hall, etc. Enjoyed my year 1983 there.

User

Extremely accommodating albeit basic. Excellent breakfast. Fantastic for its position. Where else could you stay in Central London for such a cheap price? Of course you will lose your tiny deposit if you are late checking out, thankfully not charged for an extra day and this is explained by the staff when you book in.



Immediately opposite Great Portland Street tube and close to Regents Park. Dead centre between Euston and Baker Street which are both 10 minute walks or a quick bus ride away on the very frequent buses.



Beds creak, but hey, this is cheap accommodation. The breakfast was always good.



Loads of us from St John Ambulance used to stay here, in the past, when we were covering large events in London.



I recommend this to anyone looking for very cheap and convenient safe accommodation in central London.

User

Great location , easy access from Great Portland station .Good quality of food and refreshments .Strongly recommend !

User

The website makes it seem like they only rent to students but they don't. We're staying in the dormitories, which is really hot and muggy all the time. There is a homeless man in the bed next to mine who is mean and yells to be quiet way before quiet hours have started. He leaves his trash everywhere and the room smells like nasty nachos.I'm all for helping the homeless but they should have a separate dormitory or something. Placing a 60+ year old man in a room with four college aged girls isn't ideal especially when it has now ruined our stay in London. He also wakes us up at 7 each morning hocking loogies in the sink for ten minutes. I wish this was an exaggeration. Beware of the dormitories.

User

Staying here completely ruined my first year of university and was possibly the worst decision of my entire life. I would give this place 0 stars if that was an option. A money-driven corporate machine and a joke of a "charity" that does not have any regard for its own residents (particularly long-stay students).

My full review is too long to post here - and you can't post URLs in a Facebook review.

Search for my Google Review to get the comprehensive edition with all of the juicy details of my horrifying experiences living at ISH...

User

Really really bad hostel avoid it like the plague the manager refused to give me the deposit back for being 10 minutes late handing in a room card. The card didn't let me into the room on the morning I was knocking on the dorm door to try and get into the room to get my stuff out???? He then insisted his staff were well trained and would have told me I would have lost my deposit for being 10 minutes late which I definitely wasn't told this so annoyed. Rip off merchants do not use this hostel they will rip you off.Worst hostel I have stayed in and I have backpacked around America.

User

I lived on the 3rd floor of the GPS building. I was on a 40 week student contract, moved in September 2016 and out in June 2017.

They assured us the comfortable and safe housing yet they cut the water and electricity supply off frequently because they were carrying out maintenance.



From February 2017 time till May 2017, they carried out refurbishment work on the third floor, a lot of loud drilling noise, really inconvenient considering how much we paid. When the members on my floor made a joint complaint to the manager and demanded compensation for the AWFUL experience we had, the manager Martin was extremely rude to a member on my floor and said we didn't deserve compensation. Just because ISH haven't previously issued any compensations doesn't mean we don't deserve it. We believe the reason why they carried out the renovation works during term time is because students can't get out of the 40 week contract and they didn't want to shut the building down over summer and renovate because the people living at ISH over summer pay more in rent so they took advantage of the students stuck in a 40 week contract.



The prices aren't cheaper compared to Central London rent prices, the twin premium room price is a rip off, there's nothing premium about the room whatsoever. ISH IS A MONEY HUNGRY ORGANISATION THAT IS A JOKE TO THE WORD CHARITY! I stand by the fact I and other members of the 3rd floor deserved compensation for the terrible wifi we had for 6 months, the frequent water and electricity supply cuts and the on going renovation for 4 months.

More about International Students House

International Students House is located at 229 Great Portland Street, W1W 5PN London, United Kingdom
+44 20 7631 8300
http://www.ish.org.uk