International House World Organisation brought the global IH community together once again—this time in the sun-drenched heart of Palermo, Sicily. The 2025 IH Study Abroad Event and Directors’ Conference welcomed 70 agents and International House schools for several inspiring days filled with connection, innovation, and celebration.

A Blend of Professional Exchange and Cultural Connection

As always, the IH Study Abroad Event struck the perfect balance between meaningful work and enjoyable social experiences. In between busy schedules of meetings and workshops, participants joined walking tours through Palermo’s charming city centre and enjoyed rooftop dinners as the sun set over the Mediterranean. These moments allowed agents and schools to deepen connections, share stories, and network in a relaxed, beautiful setting.

Day 1: Fostering Collaboration and Communication

The Directors’ Conference began with a strong emphasis on collaboration. While each IH school operates in a unique context, they all face common challenges—and often find solutions through one another. Day 1 focused on peer-to-peer dialogue, encouraging participants to explore new perspectives and innovative approaches through shared experiences.

Day 2: Leadership and Innovation Take Centre Stage

Leadership was the theme of Day 2. The conference opened with a powerful plenary session from Memfi Sappa, who guided participants in identifying their natural strengths to boost communication and team dynamics. Charlotte Ellis from National Geographic Learning ELT followed with an insightful session on how IH schools can differentiate themselves through smart, values-driven marketing.

The afternoon featured the dynamic IH Hackathon, which invited participants to collaborate across regions and roles to generate bold ideas for the future of IH. Two awards were also presented:

• The Mihai Laurențiu Gânj Award for Digital Innovation: Amber School Management

• The Unpublished Competition: International House Language Centre Palermo

Day 3: Sharing Stories of Growth and Exploring the Future

The final day opened with sessions dedicated to study abroad programs and community schools, followed by inspiring case studies of growth, adaptation, and resilience from:

• IH Manchester

• IH Yangon-Mandalay

• IH Bucharest

• IH Language Centre Palermo

In the afternoon, participants explored key business topics including Family Succession in Business with Salvatore Tomaselli, AI for Digital Marketing with Platty, and AI for SEO with ProfileTree – Web Design and Digital Marketing.

The conference culminated with the final Hackathon presentations, showcasing the creativity and collaboration that defines the IH network. They ended the day—and the event—on a high note with a Gala Dinner at Villa Igiea, where the group celebrated with dancing and heartfelt conversations under the Mediterranean sky.

Gratitude and Looking Ahead

IH World extend their sincere thanks to GuardMe Europe and ICEF, whose sponsorship made this event possible. They are especially grateful to International House Language Centre Palermo, and hosts Marco Faldetta and Patricia Durden, for their warm hospitality and for celebrating 50 years of excellence in language education.

With Palermo now a treasured memory, IH World are already looking forward to what’s next. Plans are underway for 2026 in Valencia, and the organisation can’t wait to gather again to learn, share, and grow.