"It was in the fall of 1998 I left for the UK to pursue my MSc in Human Resource Management at the University of Manchester. I wished to get an accommodation in the University campus. However, since the accommodation in the campus was full, the accommodation office directed me to MIH where I was warmly accepted by the Warden, Mr. Colin, and provided a place. Getting an accommodation at MIH was just like a home for me where I got a holistic service, i.e. using the facilities and participating in a voluntary regular Bible study. I could say I had maximized my mental, physical and spiritual nourishment and enjoyed the fellowship during my stay at MIH. My memory is still fresh. MIH is a real place for International Students where they can get a holistic service. I wish I could go back once again to Manchester and stay at MIH. I love MIH."

Of memories of my stay at MIH? Every minute was super. I remember arriving at Manchester at around a few minutes before midnight on a Saturday with no bookings done for me for a place to sleep. It was in late September 2000.
Cold and windy it was and I was thinly clothed. My language wasn't with me yet. That night a student accommodation warden at MMU gave me a bed with no beddings. The next morning she rang you Colin and and gave me a map to MIH place. I walked but when you saw me you were sort of surprised I didn't come on a Taxi. In that first day five pounds for a taxi seemed unbearable so I chose the only other option. You gave me a bed and a thick blankets. Your wife gave me some hot tea and a sandwich. Man you will never know what that meant after been in the cold for so long in a foreign place. Much more and better could have happened later but to me it is that first impression which has been embossed in my memory for ever.
 

"It is a great place for International Students to stay as you can meet people from all around the world and learn how they cook, how they eat, how they think how they speak , of course 'not' how they sleep. Staying at MIH certainly saved me lots money for travelling around and learning different cultures."

I tried most of the student accommodation at Manchester during that time, and I can say that MIH was definitely the best.

Things that I remember about MIH include the long, green walk from Upper Brook Street into Daisy Bank Road to get to it, and watching the seasons change from the walk and the grounds. The building and its grounds looked very English to me, and I suppose that was part of the initial attraction.

I also remember how the ladies vigorously kept the rooms and kitchens clean, a stark contrast from other halls.

Of course I enjoyed socializing with the residents, and it was very kind of Colin and Rosemary to organize numerous barbecues, parties etc. You could never be lonely. Whenever you needed company there was someone at the kitchen, dining room, or lounges. We had a lot of fun together, and for me this helped a great deal during a difficult time in completing my doctorate."

The year I spent in MIH is one of the happiest periods in my life so far. I met a lot of good friends from all over the world and got many chances to experience English culture. To me MIH is like a second home, I do miss all my lively friends and all the pleasant time I had there, parties, barbeques, movies, trips, etc. Many of my  friends said that their life in the U.K. were so boring and did not understand why I enjoy my life so much. I always tell them that the place I live makes all the difference. I wish I could go back to Manchester and visit MIH in the future."

"My instinctive response to the question of recollections of my time at MIH rests in a very local outing, passing en route the affectionately named ‘Muggers’ Alley’.  My mind is awash with the memories of our tour of the Victoria Baths – personally guided for reasons of safety in the derelict buildings.  I can visualise the spectrum of colours seeping through stained glass onto the tiles, and indeed reminisce the creaking stench of that deserted municipal sanitary leisure complex.  This, along with numerous hikes to Asda channelled the sense of my being, even fleetingly, a part of the fabric of that unique juncture between Victoria Park and Longsite where MIH is located.  As for the people, particular [or peculiar?] characters remain in my brain; Buddhika, Fu Ee, Chuck, Niamh, Helen, Conneth, Dimitri and of course my co-conspirator Eli.  Kevin: we all remember your celebratory dance, thanks for that.

Since finishing my MA in Museum Studies I worked at Kew Gardens for nearly 2 years, and am about to start a new job at the British Museum."

"Lush of greenery, foxes in the garden coming out of nowhere, having endless cigarettes when I smoked, not having any when I quit (or was it the opposite order?), trips to local Rampant Lion (which actually turned out to be quite a well known pub in Manchester), squirrels jumping madly of the benches of the trees, a cuddly dog called Sarah, newspapers in the sitting lounge every morning (great variety of them!), inspiring chats with all these characters I bumped into at MIH, learning Italian, the old piano, helpful wardens, the kitchen…….. well…. It was worth it!"

"What do I remember? Well it was fab. Being in MIH made me like Manchester. By that (not wanting to do a Buddhika) I mean I finally settled in a way I hadn't done in my first year. I met many great people and really enjoyed getting to know them. The year I spent there was not all plain sailing by any means. However being in MIH with friends was such a help. I really appreciated the bible study group we had and felt their support and the support of other friends in the time I was there. It was a great time in my life and one of the best times I have had for a long time. I would love to know what everyone is up to now two years on and try to keep in touch.

Particular highlights were the Christmas party that we had and before that the Diwali party also. They were really good and lots of people made an effort to make them good. Those were good days. And that dissertation, phew glad that's finished. Also remember the European Championships, the Olympics (dissertation avoidance). Remember clearly England versus Portugal at MIH. Lost on penalties again. Not before we equalised though and I danced around the room in front of everyone who seemed to be supporting Portugal including Osman who got a return from me for his earlier ecstatic celebration of the Portuguese second goal. Sadly that didn't last. Also I remember doing the walk to raise funds for MIH.

I got shown up by a group of octogenarians as not having the stamina. They must have made them strong in those days. By heck.

Also would like to put in a word for Sarah who hasn't had a mention. She was always pleased to see me which was great. I think her calming influence has been underrated up to this point. So big up to the dog of MIH."

"I was at MIH during 2003-2004 and I think I was in room no. 60

I really enjoyed my stay, and I am glad I chose to stay at MIH. Besides giving me an opportunity to make some very good friends, the house also made it possible for me to meet people from different cultural backgrounds. And this I must highlight made me feel more at home as a foreigner. Most of us were away from our familiar cultural settings thereby giving us lots in common." 

"Living in MIH was an amazing opportunity for me, an international student study in Manchester.

The  delight of living in MIH, because it is an accommodation particularly for postgraduate students, with daily cleaning of kitchen and all common areas,  weekly cleaning of bedrooms. The large common room equipped with pool and table tennis is a great place spending time with flat mates, meanwhile, the quiet bedrooms area allows me got on with my busy work in my own room and ease access to the  study room and computer room.

Living in MIH not only because its best facilities, but also it was an opportunity to explore a wide diversity of culture, which has been helped by the real mix of nationalities in MIH.  I have met lots of different people and made friends of all types, making new friends was the best way to cure homesickness. I still keep in touch with them even now I have finished my master degree study.  

It’s not just about the accommodation,  it was a great experience for living Manchester. MIH offered  me a warm, friendly and secure space in Manchester." 

"I really enjoyed my stay at MIH. The atmosphere in the house was nice and friendly and it was exciting to meet students from different parts of the world, with different cultural backgrounds. It was also nice to have my own private space in my room, but on the other hand to have the opportunity to socialise with other students, for example in the kitchen, in the dinning room or in the lounge, to have conversations with them, to celebrate parties together, to relax, to laugh and so on. The learning environment was good as well; I could carry on with my work without having been disturbed trough noise, etc. To summarize, I had a lovely time at MIH, I learned a lot, I had much fun and the most important thing for me, I found new friends."