Introducing the International Society in Manchester and Salford

The International society gives opportunities for international students to explore their new area and to meet new people.

The first society to introduce is a society called “International society” and is based on Manchester Oxford road in area of the University of Manchester.

It is easy to get there as you can go by a train and stop at the Manchester Oxford Road train station followed by a short ten-minute walk. There are also several frequent buses that pass the International Society from all over Manchester.

The community was established in 1966 by the University of Manchester's student union and became an independent non-profit organisation supported by three universities (University of Manchester, Metropolitan University and University of Salford).

This society is good for International students who are trying to meet new friends from different backgrounds as three different universities can join and bring diversity to the community.

Before visiting the society, make sure you register on the website. This is free but enables you to become a member and join in the activities.

Any students beside those three universities can also join as a member, however they need to pay a membership and the price is around £20 for September 2018 until August 2019.

There are so many activities that are held at this community, such as trips around the UK, celebrations for special occasions and education activities.

For the education activity, they allowed the members to share their experiences as an international student with students from local schools.

Director of this community Sam Harris said they visit 25 schools every year. Most of the schools are in Greater Manchester but sometimes they visit other cities in the North West.

This experience is allowing for different opportunities that International students are willing to join.

He said "We currently have around 4000 members with 120 different nationalities. The number each year fluctuates but the general trend is for more members each year".

International Cafe

At Salford University there is a community called "International Cafe" that welcomes all nationalities to come for this meeting session, every Thursday at 6.00 pm at the Student Union.

The aim for the International Cafe is to allow people to get to know other people from other countries, especially for new international students who are still trying to figure out what they can do in Salford and to help prevent them feeling homesick. Almost 10 different nationalities gather here on a weekly basis.

This society will help you to make friends and to get to know Manchester and its surrounding areas. Some of the activities include, quizzes, table tennis and group discussions.

Anna Llewellyn, who also works for the International Society in Manchester is responsible for this International Café at the University of Salford.

She began to work with this society in the summer of 2018 after she graduated from the University of Manchester on a Geography course.

Her main responsibilities include organising all the events and making sure that they have all the supplies required.

A member of International cafe, Nur from Turkey also gives a delighted comment "I have been here for a second time and I really enjoy spending time with this community.

When the first time I went here I asked about Manchester and got to know this city from them". Another statement comes from Zara from Turkey "this is my first time attending this society and it is fun to meet new people from different backgrounds".

Having said that, the members of International communities are increasing every year and it means more international students can benefit from these communities.