International student friendships are a unique bond between friends found at schools, colleges and universities around the world. The shared experience of studying abroad in a new place, often in a new language, and far from home, brings individuals together into friendships that often last lifetimes.
However, international students often worry about being lonely. Before arriving, many worry that they will not make any friends, either with local students or other international students. At Guildhouse School, our students quickly lose these anxieties, quickly discovering new friends from around the world. International student friendships are amazing – our students build friendship networks that cover Brazil and Mexico, Indonesia and South Korea, Italy and Albania and Ghana and Nigeria.
An Internationally Experienced Community
Our diverse teaching, administrative and pastoral teams have a wealth of international experience. Having lived, studied and worked internationally, they understand the anxiety of arriving in a new country, not knowing anyone. This shared experience with our international student community means our staff are well-equipped at facilitating international student friendships.
Guildhouse School offers a broad range of extra-curricular activities and trips that enable students to form strong friendships with their peers. We take full advantage of our central London location – shopping trips, theatre trips and museum visits are regular features of our activity schedule.
For the more adventurous, there are opportunities to climb the O2 arena, enjoy the white-knuckle rides at Thorpe Park or experience a high ropes course. These activities are a great opportunity to try something new. Trips to other UK cities are also organised – Edinburgh was a very popular trip last year.
School-based activities, like student council, sports clubs and cultural events, are also opportunities to find like-minded friends.
Student Experiences
“Sometimes I go to a café with my friends, there is a bookshop near here and I go there. Sometimes I go to museums and parks that I also like.”
Julia, Brazil, A Level Student
Julia valued the supported independence that Guildhouse School offers students. With a central London location, Guildhouse School students have opportunities to explore local venues independently.
“My experience here at Guildhouse has definitely been a very immersive one because I am very willing to get to be part of this community that I work hard to get into. Being here has definitely shaped my perspective of the world and of what I want to do in life. So Guildhouse really provides you with everything that you need for university and beyond, and being able to create this little network of friends that you’re always going to have to rely on is definitely something that I was looking for and that I got here.”
Fernanda, Mexico, A Level Student
“My favourite moment was when it snowed last year. Me and my friends actually made a cat snowman. It was pretty funny. We also had snowball fights in this park outside.”
Richmond, Nigeria, UFP
