International House, University of Melbourne

International House is the second largest residential college of the University of Melbourne. It provides co educational accommodation to 350 undergraduate and graduate students who are attending the University of Melbourne and nearby tertiary institutions. It is situated at 241 Royal Parade, Parkville. The college was opened in 1957 and is still owned by the University of Melbourne. It was the first International House in Australia.

Shortly after the end of World War II, the Australian government invited university students from countries in South and South East Asia to study in Australia as part of an aid program called the Colombo Plan. A significant number of these Colombo Plan students came to the University of Melbourne. Various groups within and outside the University of Melbourne aimed to make these students feel welcome and assist them in forming friendships with Australian students. At the same time, racial misconceptions were significantly affecting international students seeking suitable accommodation. There was a belief that establishing a new residential college for both local and overseas students would foster interpersonal relationships among students and contribute to strengthening ties between nations.

The model for this new residential college was inspired by the International Houses Worldwide Movement and by International Houses that were already operating successfully in Europe and the United States. This marked the first such venture in Australia. Fundraising by the student community and various community and women's groups began in the early 1950s, and enjoyed wide community support. The Rotary Club of Melbourne was involved in establishing International House. This involvement has continued to the present. The original site for International House, at 231–241 Royal Parade, was purchased in September 1953 for £13,500. Situated separately from the University campus and its ‘College Crescent’ of residential colleges, International House provided residents with the opportunity to spend more time 'at home' than at the university. The college opened in 1957 for its first intake of forty two men from Australia and overseas as an independent, multicultural, self supporting residential college owned and operated by the University of Melbourne. It was opened on 24 May 1958 by the Prime Minister of Australia, Sir Robert Menzies.

In 1972 International House became the first residential college of the University of Melbourne to admit female residents. While the idea formed part of its original vision, the International House Council initially feared the inclusion of women might call into question the moral tone of the college. In June 1971 the Council finally agreed to admit women the following year. Women and men initially occupied separate floors; and also a former Deputy Chancellor of the University of Melbourne. Clunies is the building where freshers can expect to stay in their first year at the college. Clunies is adjoined to the nearby Dimmick Dining Hall (DDH). Its construction began in 1956.

The Wadham Wing was named after Sir Samuel Wadham, the second Chair of the International House Council. It was opened by (Lord) Richard Casey on 23 March 1963.

The Scheps Building is a sixteen sided, six storey residence located at 207–215 Royal Parade. The land on which the Scheps Building stands was acquired by International House in 1965. However, the building was not completed and opened until 1972, which coincided with the admission of women to the college.

The Hilda Stevenson Building is located on Leonard Street in Parkville. It was acquired by International House in 1966 and was initially known as the ‘Rudd Stevenson’ building before being renamed after Dame Hilda Stevenson, a generous benefactor to International House. Its acquisition enabled International House to expand the Dimmick Dining Hall northwards. This project was completed in 1970 after a fire destroyed the roof of the old dining hall. Originally built for the Scottish stained glass merchant James Ferguson in 1886, the building had belonged to the Victorian Children's Aid Society Home before it was acquired by International House. Its elegant Gothic Revival architecture is interlaced with beautiful stained glass windows on the north and southern ends.

Originally built as a school (Carlton College) in 1881, Greycourt was acquired by International House in 1975. It was purchased from the Royal Melbourne Hospital, which had been using the building as nurses’ quarters. The acquisition of Greycourt marked a pivotal moment in the development of International House. The college's enrollment numbers surged to 245 students in 1975, positioning International House as the second largest residential college at the University of Melbourne, behind Ormond College.

The Dimmick apartments are two flats adjoined to the back of the Dimmick Dining Hall above the kitchens, and were opened in 1998.

Opened in February 2005, the Founders Building houses student apartments and the Angus Mitchell Library. The Founders Building was named in honour of the various groups and individuals who conceived the idea of establishing an International House in Melbourne and for those with a driving conviction and strong commitment that made it a reality. It is built on the site of the old International House squash courts, which existed at the site from 1969 to 2003.

International House has capacity for 283 undergraduate students, 56 graduate students and 17 residential academic staff. Over half the students are international, from 39 countries around the world. It consists of nine residential buildings with associated dining, educational and recreational facilities located within 1.5 hectares of gardens. All International House students are a part of the International House Student Club. This committee of this student club runs most of the activities that take place at the college.

International House has always placed a strong emphasis on diversity within the student population. The largest single national group is Australian students who form 33–40% of the population. International students living at the college are from around 39 different countries around the world. Approximately equal numbers of males and females studying a range of courses are accepted.

The Angus Mitchell Library (also known at the International House Library) was named after the first Australian to become president of Rotary International (1948–1949).

Satadal is the year book produced by International House students each year. The first Satadal was published in 1959, two years after the arrival of the first residents at International House. 'Satadal' is a Sanskrit word used to suggest unity in diversity, and harmony in multiformity. It is symbolized by the lotus flower.

Sport is an important part of life at International House. Both undergraduate and graduate students participate in the University of Melbourne's Intercollegiate Sporting Program, including cricket, softball, squash, athletics, soccer, hockey, rowing, netball, AFL, volleyball, badminton, and swimming.

The Thai Rural and Educational Development Program (formerly the Banana Project) is a development initiative run by students at International House in association with the Population and Community Development Association (PDA) in Thailand. As part of this program, students work to improve the living conditions, education and opportunities of people living in remote village in Thailand. The project was started by International House alumnus Khun Mechai Viravaidya.

Rotary has been a major supporter of International House since its beginning. The Rotary Club of Melbourne worked hard in the early 1950s to raise funds to establish the College. Sir Angus Mitchell, President of Rotary International, had seen the value of International Houses overseas and encouraged the idea of establishing an International House in Victoria. Robert Fels (Warden 1982–1997) established the Royce Abbey Room in the Grey Court Building, which provided a venue for Rotary meetings and ensured ongoing Rotary links. Now housed in the Hilda Stevenson Building, the room also showcases Royce Abbey's collection of memorabilia from his time as President of Rotary International from 1988 to 1989. The Rotary clubs of Melbourne, Central Melbourne Sunrise, Altona, Gisborne, District 9800 and Rotary International have remained involved with International House through their support of Café International, fundraising, scholarships and through the donation of library and sporting equipment.