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UK: 84 intn’l students recieve ISH scholarships

84 students have each received a scholarship to live and study in London as part of a scheme provided by International Students House.
November 6 2017
2 Min Read

A group of 84 students from 43 nationalities who each received a scholarship to live and study in the UK as part of the International Students House residential scheme have been officially welcomed at a reception in London.

ISH is a charity dedicated to providing British and international students with safe and convenient student accommodation in Central London.

The ISH residential scholarships are designed to give students from financially disadvantaged backgrounds an opportunity to study in the city and to acquire skills and training that will allow them to work and aid in their country’s development upon their return home.

The scholarships allow free accommodation at ISH for up to a year, and in exceptional circumstances up to three years.

Speaking to The PIE News, ISH dean of student life Sharon Bolton said the mission is to provide an environment which facilitates the growth and development of young students from all over the world.

“We select our residents and scholars with the aim of having as diverse a group as possible because we believe that mixing with people from all over the world and developing intercultural competence is a crucial part of any young person’s education,” said Bolton.

“At ISH, students from diverse nations form lasting friendships with one another. We aim to ensure that our residents leave us with fond memories of their time here and positive feelings towards the UK in general.”

More than 600 residents ranging from undergraduate to PhD students are housed in the affordable accommodation, which is set at 40% less than the market average of private hall providers in the same area.

More than 600 residents ranging from undergraduate to PhD students are housed in the affordable accommodation

From its small beginnings in 1992, this year the ISH Scheme provided 84 scholarships to students who otherwise would have no means of living and studying in London.

However speaking at the scholarship reception, ISH CEO Martin Chalker said he has set an ambitious target for 110 scholarships next year.

“We are looking to grow even further. We are setting up a charity in India, and we already have £25,000 committed to pay for educational scholarships there.

“This scheme is about creating a brighter future and an affordable home-from-home for international and UK students. I welcome and look forward to interacting with [each scholar] over the year,” said Chalker.

This year an additional joint scholarship for an economically disadvantaged student from the US funded by the US Friends of ISH and the American Friends of SOAS was added to the scheme.

Together with its scholarship partners, the ISH scholarship program awarded around £1,300,000 in 2016/2017.

Addressing the crowd, Bolton advised each of the students to make the most of their time at ISH.

“Many sacrifices have been made by all of you to be here, and none of this would have been possible without the help and support of our volunteers, our alumni and our scholarship partners,” she said.

“So I would ask every student to make every day at ISH count, join our travel club, take part in our events and soak up the spirit of global friendship.”

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