Jason M.
The rooms feel about 20 years out of date: fluorescent lights, a tiny fan I never used, and no air conditioning in Brisbane. The toilets and showers are basic, and hot water isn't always guaranteed. The food is decent, but for what we pay, that's a low bar. It's unclear where the rest of the money goes, since it doesn't seem to go back into the college or its residents. I started my first semester at IHouse with high expectations and left O-week with none. The promised international experience isn't there. It feels like a quiet dorm where people don't talk to each other, with no cultural events, flags, celebrations, or college collaborations. Other UQ colleges call us the NPC college, and honestly I can't argue. The Village Leaders have titles but little else, and there's no student council anymore, so residents can't organise things themselves. If you want community life, forget it. From what I've seen, roughly 60% of residents are Asian minority students who keep to themselves, around 30% are exchange students here briefly, and perhaps 10% are international students seeking a cultural college experience. That last group, probably who IHouse was meant for, gets the worst deal. Save your money and go elsewhere. UQ Residences have much better facilities and an actual community. If you're choosing a college for a vibrant, multicultural experience, you won't find it here. I wish someone had told me before I signed up.
