Welcome to the September edition of the IH Study Abroad Newsletter!
While the busy summer may be drawing to a close for our schools in the northern hemisphere, the momentum across our network hasn’t slowed down. In this edition we’re excited to celebrate a new season of learning and the vibrant energy that fills our campuses year-round. Read on to hear about exciting achievements, exclusive events, and new programmes our schools have to offer this season.
The IH network offers over 50+ study abroad destinations across the globe. Our schools provide immersive language experiences in six different languages.
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IH Nice gets Label Qualité FLE accreditation
We are proud to announce that International House Nice has just been awarded the Label Qualité FLE! This prestigious recognition confirms our commitment to providing high-quality French language teaching in a professional, supportive, and safe learning environment.
The Label Qualité FLE (Français Langue Étrangère) is an official French government certification that guarantees the quality of French language schools in five key areas: teaching, teachers, welcome and support, premises/safety, and management. Awarded jointly by the Ministry for Higher Education, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Ministry of Culture, it is a mark of excellence for institutions offering French courses to international students.
Receiving the Label Qualité FLE is not only an honor— it is also a guarantee for our students that they are studying at one of the top accredited French language centers in France. We look forward to welcoming even more learners from around the world to our school and our beautiful city of Nice!
IH Lacunza San Sebastián’s senior programmes: language, culture & connection
At IH San Sebastián, we’ve seen fantastic results from our newly developed Spanish + Culture programmes tailored for senior learners (55+). Combining language learning with meaningful, place-based cultural immersion, these programmes have broadened our audience and strengthened our ties with the local community.
Last September, we welcomed participants to our Spanish & Cinema course, built around San Sebastián’s iconic identity as a “City of Film.” Learners explored local filming locations (including Game of Thrones sites), visited the Tabakalera Cultural Centre, and enjoyed a private screening of a film featured in the San Sebastián International Film Festival (SSIFF).
In May, our Spanish & Gastronomy course tapped into the city’s global reputation as a culinary destination. Participants learned Spanish through food-themed lessons and took part in pintxo tastings, a market-to-table cooking workshop, and a traditional txotx experience in a Basque cider house.
Both programmes received enthusiastic feedback from students and partners alike. Participants valued the engaging academic content, along with the opportunity to connect deeply with the city, the people, and each other.
This January (12–23), we’re launching a new programme: Spanish & Basque Culture, offering students a unique opportunity to experience the cultural richness of the Basque Country. Find out more here.
Supporting IHWO schools worldwide: GuardMe Europe & Edvisor
At GuardMe Europe, we are proud to mark the first anniversary of our partnership with Edvisor, the global platform for international education. This cooperation has been a great success and allows us to serve International House schools and agencies in an even more flexible way.
For IHWO schools and partners based outside Spain, Italy, Germany, Malta, Ireland, and the UK, GuardMe policies can now be issued easily via Edvisor. This ensures that your students benefit from the same high-quality coverage while simplifying the process for your teams. Schools and agencies located in the above six markets continue to work with GuardMe directly as usual.
Through Edvisor, your students can access our exclusive policies: GuardMe MultiRisk Premium, GuardMe MultiRisk Premium + Cancellation, and GuardMe Travel + Cancellation. These plans provide comprehensive protection, including cancellation options, giving peace of mind to students and their families.
GuardMe is the only insurance provider dedicated exclusively to the international education sector, and this partnership with Edvisor reinforces our shared commitment to making insurance simple, reliable, and accessible for IHWO members worldwide.
Extra commission & loyalty bonuses from IH Malta
Agents! Join us in Valencia in May 2026 for the IH Study Abroad Event
Inspiration, connection, and a true taste of Mediterranean life. ¡Os esperamos!
In May 2026, Valencia will be the place to be!
We’re thrilled to be hosting the IH Study Abroad Event right here in our city and we’d love for you to join us.
This won’t be just another event, it will be a true Mediterranean experience. Expect engaging professional sessions, delicious local cuisine, time by the sea, and the relaxed, welcoming atmosphere that makes Valencia one of the best cities in the world to live and study in.
The timing couldn’t be better: 2026 also marks Españolé IH Valencia’s 20th anniversary. Since our founding in 2006, we’ve grown from a local project into an internationally recognised school, welcoming thousands of students each year to discover Spanish language and culture. Over the years, we’ve built a passionate team, moved into our beautiful historic building in the heart of the city, and created unforgettable study abroad experiences for learners from around the world.
We’ll be celebrating our anniversary throughout the year, but this event will be the highlight, a chance to connect, learn, and enjoy everything Valencia has to offer.
Join us in 2026 for an unforgettable mix of professional inspiration, Mediterranean sunshine, and shared success. ¡Os esperamos!
Trusted quality: IH Brisbane – ALS shortlisted for top education award again
We are proud to share that IH Brisbane – ALS has been selected as a finalist in the International Education and Training category of the Premier of Queensland’s Export Awards 2025.
Now in its 35th year, the Export Awards celebrate Queensland’s most successful exporters, highlighting the innovation, resilience, and global reach of businesses shaping our state’s economy. With Queensland’s exports valued at $134.7 billion, this recognition places ALS among the very best international education providers in Australia. We previously won the award in 2019, and were finalists in both 2018 and 2023.
Being named a finalist is a testament to our commitment to quality education and student success. For agents, this accolade is an assurance of the world-class learning environment your students will experience at IH Brisbane – ALS. It reinforces our reputation as a trusted provider that combines excellent English language training with strong student support, ensuring learners achieve their academic and career goals.
We are excited to celebrate this achievement and continue welcoming students from around the globe to Brisbane, one of Australia’s most dynamic study destinations.
IH Bangkok is offering NEW courses for the young, young at heart, and everyone in between!
Senior Sunset Course
At IH Bangkok we believe one is never too old to learn and explore the world. That’s why this year we have come up with the course package for those who are young-at-heart, from 50 years old. The 2-week course includes 30 hours of General English lessons at students’ level, activities and excursions, meals, airport transfer and optional accommodation.
Small Group English 15 and Small Group Thai 10 courses
Bangkok has been a destination for people from all over the world, not only for its lively twilight, but also for its unique culture and language. We are now offering our Small Group English 15 for extra focus and attention from our lovely English teachers. And Small Group 10 Thai for our foreign guests from our wonderful Thai teachers with 1 to 4 students. If you are really lucky, you could get a private lesson at a group course price!
Feel free to get more information at [email protected]. We are waiting for you in Bangkok!
Brand-new agent booking portal at IH Galway Cultural Institute
We’re excited to announce the launch of our new Agent Booking Portal here at IH Galway Cultural Institute!
This platform is designed to streamline the booking process, and we’re thrilled to share that soon all our agents will be able to make bookings directly through it. We believe this will make your experience faster, easier, and more efficient. Stay tuned!
What are students saying about us? We value every single feedback to continually enhance the experience we provide to our students. When they are happy, we are happy!
The IH Alphe Lunch for Agents and Schools – find out what you missed
IHWO was delighted to host the annual IH Valued Partner Lunch during the recent ST Alphe UK conference. It was a pleasure to welcome so many of our member schools and valued agents to Brasserie Joel – the perfect setting to take a break from busy meeting schedules.
The lunch provided an environment where schools and agents could connect away from the bustle of the main conference. Old friends were reunited and new partnerships were forged as attendees enjoyed a relaxed afternoon of good food and great conversation. We were thrilled to see representatives from across the globe join us, reaffirming the strength and reach of our network.
This annual gathering is a vital part of the IH calendar, celebrating shared goals and reinforcing the personal connections that underpin our professional relationships. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who took time from their busy schedules to join us. We look forward to many more years of collaboration.
If your agency sends students to three or more IH schools and you’d like to attend next year’s IH Alphe lunch (and other exclusive IH events), fill out the form to become an IH Valued Partner!
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Have you sent students to three IH schools in the last 12 months?
Become an IH Valued Partner and benefit from:
- Rewards and incentives
- Your agency name and logo in the IH Valued Partner directory
- An IH Valued Partner pack (includes a certificate and IH Valued Partner logo)
- Invitations to exclusive events like the IH Study Abroad Workshops
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