International House
International House is a balance of local, international and exchange postgraduates and senior undergraduates.
International House, founded in 1968, is a multicultural college for more than 166 senior undergraduate and postgraduate residents from over 80 countries, including Australia. Our mission is to promote experiential learning, personal growth and cross understanding between students drawn from different educational, social and ethnic backgrounds.
- Overview
- Student support
- Testimonials
- Meet the team
Overview
The first International House was founded in New York. A chance encounter with a Chinese student on the steps of Low Library at Columbia University in 1909 inspired Harry Edmonds – a young YMCA secretary who later became the founder of New York International House, about the need for cross-cultural understanding and mutual respect between people of different race. He realised the paucity of suitable accommodation for foreign students. He later took his vision of founding a multicultural college for American and overseas students to philanthropist John D. Rockefeller. As a result, the first International House opened on Riverside Drive New York in 1924. The success of New York International House led to the establishment of International House at the University of California, Berkeley (1930) , the University of Chicago (1932), in Paris ( cite Internationale Universitaire de Paris, 1925 ) and in Tokyo (1952) as extensions of this idea.
With the help of Rotary International, the International House movement soon reached Australia. It began with the establishment of International House at the University of Melbourne in 1957. Subsequent developments included the establishment of IH at the University of Wollongong (1961), the University of Queensland (1965) , the University of Sydney (1965), The University of New South Wales (1968), the University of Newcastle (1988), James Cook University (1990), and the Northern Territory University (1990).
Nowadays, the International Houses are separate, independent non-profit making institutions united by one mission; to provide students of different nationalities and diverse cultures with the opportunity to live and learn together in a community of mutual respect, understanding and international friendship. So many of the friendships made within the Houses are made for life.
International House provides an ideal atmosphere for students seeking a quiet and mature environment as well as the opportunity to meet friendly students from all over the world. Cultural diversity and tolerance are important concepts at the college. We place a great emphasis for the wellbeing of our residents and offer many in-house facilities to make them feel as at-home and comfortable as possible throughout their stay at IH.
Student support
At International House (IH), we place a great emphasis for the wellbeing of our residents. We offer many in-house facilities to make them feel as at-home and comfortable as possible throughout their stay.
These include the comfortable and spacious living and common spaces, rooms and equipment for sport and games, as well as the all-important kitchen and dining facilities.
Whether you want to study beside a large tranquil Koi pond, or have a barbecue in the lush garden courtyard, IH has a range of exclusive facilities that translate into a unique college experience.
Testimonials
It's like a home away from home. Enjoy your college life to the fullest because you are going to make connections and friendships for a lifetime. My best advice is not to be afraid to ask questions, there’s a lot of people to help and support you.
IH presents an alternative perspective to college life, providing a healthy balance between work and play. The diverse personalities and cultures you can find in college ensure that everyone feels included, and most importantly, feels at home.
Charlene Griffiths | Dean of International House
Hi, I’m Charlene
I have worked in the tertiary education sector for the last 20+ years, I'm experienced with the Visual Arts and a few little detours along the way. I have spent teaching English in Prague and six months in Penang. From National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) just across the road, I have now come to IH and I just love seeing talented students take off to the next level of their careers. I would say that my key business strengths include superior organisation and human resource management skills and proven project management experience. I am a natural networker and strategic thinker, focused on creative solutions and high-quality outcomes.
There is no other residential experience quite like living in an IH. Built on an 80-year tradition that started in the States, we foster a community actually living out the principles of cross-cultural understanding in mutual respect. The concept of strength through equity and diversity is in our DNA and fundamental to all that we do. If you believe that each individual can play a role in making the world a better place by embracing, respecting, and understanding our differences, and want to live in a supportive community of like-minded students, then IH is absolutely the right place for you.
Resident Assistants
Resident Assistants (RAs) are assigned to each floor. They’re volunteer student leaders whose role is to make sure each and every student has access to any support they may need.
The RA floor representatives works closely with the RAs, Deputy Dean and Dean, ensuring the pastoral care of all residents is of the highest quality.
Resident's Society (RESOC)
The International House Residents' Society (IH RESOC) is the representative student group for residents of International House.
The Committee is composed of student leaders elected annually by residents in various portfolios aimed at offering residents opportunities to be involved in extra-curricular activities. It includes an executive group of a president, secretary and treasurer and administers a budget each year across areas such as cultural, sport, social, charities and communications.
Features
- furnished bedrooms
all meals provided
exclusive gym, cardio and weight equipment
Wi-Fi, electricity, gas and water included
social and group study rooms
outdoor barbecue facilities
coin-operated laundry facilities
sporting, social and cultural programs
24-hour campus security
regular support from college staff
leadership and networking opportunities
bicycle storage and maintenance tools
recreational facilities – TV room, music room, pool table, table tennis and piano.
Gallery
Room types & fees
Room type |
Meals |
Bathroom |
Cleaning |
Single |
Catered |
Shared |
No |
- The contract period is 52 weeks. Due to high occupancy, single-term contracts are currently unavailable. Please contact the office for more details.
- Weekly rates are for 2025 and are expected to change yearly. Rates shown are for full-year contracts only.
The contract period is from 7 February 2025 to 4 February 2026.
