About us
Promoting international friendship and cultural diversity since 1966
Our Story
The idea for the International Society arose back in 1966 when Eva Auerbach, a Chaplain at the University of Manchester, felt there was a need for an independent organisation to provide welfare and social support to international students.
Under the direction of Ms Anna Ford the Society was founded. From small beginnings of less than a hundred members we now have around 6,000 members from over 130 countries each year.
Your Home Away From Home
The International Society is a unique one of a kind, independent charity based in Manchester that has been celebrating cultural diversity and promoting global friendship for over 56 years.
We aim to provide international students with a warm and friendly welcome when they arrive in the city and to make their time in the UK a wonderful experience. Our activities including trips, classes, events, activities and volunteering opportunities are open to all.
While the majority of the Society’s members are international and British students studying at the universities and colleges in the city, many are people who have come to live and work in the UK, or members of the community interested in meeting people from all over the world. The Society is family-friendly and people of all ages get involved.
Contact Us
CALL US
0161 275 4959
Email Us
info@internationalsociety.org.uk
find us
International Society,
c/o UMSU, Oxford Road,
Manchester, M13 9PR
Our offfice is located at the ground floor of University of Manchester’s Students’ Union.
opening hours
Our office is open Monday to Friday from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm
(with the exception of Bank Holidays).
Our Team
Events Coordinator
Mark Lai
info@internationalsociety.org.uk
Events Coordinator
Oubowen Chen
info@internationalsociety.org.uk
Thank You
The International Society is supported by numerous funders. Without their generous support we would not have been able to provide all the services that we have. The International Society is very grateful for the support of our donors both past and present.
The university of manchester
MANCHESTER METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY
The university of salford
sir john zochonis
Sir Normal Stoller
HSBC GLOBAL EDUCATION TRUST
University of Manchester Learning Fund
THE ALLAN AND NESTA FERGUSON CHARITABLE TRUST
ADDLESHAW GODDARD CHARITABLE TRUST
COUTTS AND CO.
THE GRANADA FOUNDATION
LLOYDS TSB
THE DUCHY OF LANCASTER BENEVOLENT FUND
STOCKPORT LAMPLIGHTER ROTARY CLUB
CALL US
0161 275 4959
Email Us
info@internationalsociety.org.uk
find us
International Society,
c/o UMSU, Oxford Road,
Manchester, M13 9PR
Our offfice is located at the ground floor of University of Manchester’s Students’ Union.
charity no.
The International Society is a registered charity. Our Charity Commision number is 521248.
© International Society 2023