I-House, a Gateway to Love: Mexico Meets Bangladesh

Posted on February 14, 2020 by chancellore1

Fall 2015 was the beginning of a new journey for Dania Orta-Alemán. A native of Mexico City, Mexico, she came to UC Berkeley as a master’s candidate at the School of Public Health. Little did she know that an I-House Gateway Fellowship dinner the following year would lead her to her soulmate.  The dinner was to honor fellowship donors and recipients. Zunaid Omair, a Ph.D. candidate in electrical engineering from Bangladesh, happened to be at the same event. 

Dania Orta Alemán (IH 2015-17)
Zunaid Omair (IH 2016-17)

“We were just sitting at the same table and I remember he changed his card to sit by my side,” she said. Although he had to change tables again, Alemán said she was able to get his contact information. “I asked for his Facebook, and when he first told me his name, I didn’t understand it,” she said, giggling. “I just pretended I understood it. I added him on Facebook just to make sure I got the name correct and, yeah, that’s how we met, basically.” Continue reading →

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Last Chance to Support I-House in 2019

Posted on December 27, 2019 by Laurie Ferris

Sharing a message on behalf of I-House Executive Director Hans Giesecke:

Best wishes for peace, prosperity, and progress in the New Year

If you have already made a gift in 2019, we sincerely thank you. If you still would like to make your annual gift, it’s not too late to donate.

I-House residents created these peace dovesDear I-House Friends,

As we make the transition to 2020, I-House is most grateful to all who have participated in our Annual Appeal or otherwise made a recent gift. If you haven’t yet had a chance, please consider donating now or visiting the online version of our Annual Appeal.  If you still would like to make your 2019 gift, it’s not too late!  With your support, I-House is able to foster a more just and peaceful world through intercultural understanding and mutual respect. Continue reading →

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Winter Holiday Traditions from I-House Residents

Posted on December 24, 2019 by chancellore1

Season’s Greetings I-House! For many, the winter holiday season is a time to spend with friends and family as well as take time for reflection. From Hanukkah to Christmas to New Year’s, our residents have a unique way of celebrating the holidays at home.

“Christmas in Egypt is celebrated in January,” said Deena Sabry, a resident from Cairo, Egypt who studies at UC Berkeley’s Graduate School of Journalism. Sabry who is Muslim, acknowledged the Christmas celebrations in Egypt given her country’s large Coptic Christian population.  For New Year’s, Sabry said celebrations are up to the individual. “It truly just depends on the person and their family and what they want to do,” she said, adding that some people might spend it with their friends partying or stay home with their family.

Christmas and New Year are a big deal in Nigeria, according to I-House resident Gbemisola Akinsipe. “I’m from a Christian family . . . so we usually have a Christmas service or carol, and then for new year we pray together.” Akinsipe said that beyond the church activities, the holiday season is “a time for family, food, and a lot of gifts.” Continue reading →

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The I-House Connection: December 2019

Posted on December 17, 2019 by Laurie Ferris

Projects for Peace; Social Media Ambassador; Grad Student Feature; and Hong Kong Meets Mainland China Podcast

I-House ConnectionDecember 2019

Dear Alumni & Friends,

Greetings from Berkeley! We are delighted to share a peace-building initiative, highlights from some of our current residents, and the latest episode of the “From All Corners” podcast series. Continue reading →

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International House Annual Appeal

Posted on December 3, 2019 by Laurie Ferris

Sharing a message on behalf of I-House Executive Director Hans Giesecke:

The Mission of International House:
To foster intercultural respect and understanding, lifelong friendships, and leadership skills for a more peaceful world.

Dear Alumni and Friends,

I would like to convey my personal thanks to our alumni and supporters who have already provided financial contributions during our annual appeal. If you have not yet had an opportunity, we hope that you will consider supporting I-House and will make a gift now to help future residents have this singular opportunity to enjoy such a life-changing experience.

Please Make a Gift to I-House Now

Continue reading →

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Happy Thanksgiving from International House Berkeley

Posted on November 27, 2019 by Laurie Ferris

2019-20 I-House Scholarship Recipients with Executive Director Hans Giesecke, Ph.D.

2019-20 I-House Scholarship Recipients with Executive Director Hans Giesecke, Ph.D.

Dear Alumni and Friends,

In this season of gratitude, I am writing to thank you for helping to make the dream of International House a reality for our residents from around the globe. Continue reading →

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The World Is My Family

Posted on November 20, 2019 by Benny Corona

Finding a Sense of belonging and building intercultural connections

My first encounter with residents at the International House was during the orientation retreat that was set up by the Program Office at the Point Bonita YMCA Camp. Within seconds, I was in a room with a Japanese-American undergraduate, an international graduate student from Japan, an engineering student from China, and an American student from the Bay Area. On the way to the camp, I sat next to a German student studying ethics and we had a conversation about compassion, race, morality, and the differences in our countries’ perspectives. Continue reading →

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I-House Times Newsletter: Building a Foundation for Global Fellowship

Posted on November 6, 2019 by Laurie Ferris

Dear I-House Alumni and Friends,

As we strive to make the resident experience the best it can be, we are also preserving the architectural heritage of our well-loved and well-used building. The latest issue of our International House Times newsletter features stories about the residential experience and our efforts to build a foundation for global fellowship. We hope you enjoy reading it.

In This Issue:

  • Executive Director Hans Giesecke’s Message: Assessing Our Identity to Maintain a Vibrant Community
  • Fall 2019 Resident Statistics
  • The I-House Café: A Place to Meet and Mingle Since 1930
  • Preserving the I-House Architectural Heritage
  • Fostering Diversity with Financial Aid Scholarships
  • Transformative Education through Global Leadership & Innovation Course
  • Highlights of 2019 Gala Honoring Baroness Oona King
  • Annual Honor Roll of Donors
  • Back to Berkeley, Global Gatherings, Alumni News & Notes
  • Gifts in Memory and Honor

Fall 2019 I-House Times Newsletter CoverView Newsletter PDF

Browse Newsletter Flipbook

View the I-House Times Archive

Continue reading →

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Critic’s Choice: Global Homecoming at I-House!

Posted on October 17, 2019 by Laurie Ferris

It’s no wonder that our Fifth Annual Global Homecoming is featured on the UC Berkeley Critic’s Choice listing this week. The UC News team knows a good event when they see one! Where else can you take an architectural tour of I-House; attend an interactive leadership session; have a lively discussion with residents and alumni at lunch; taste cuisine from Denmark, Nigeria, Turkey, and Malaysia; and see residents in their cultural attire at our always-popular fashion show? Global Homecoming at I-House is the place and this Sunday, October 20th is the date! All activities, food, beverages, wine and beer (w/valid ID) are included with admission. Plus, attendees get to select an exclusive I-House keepsake gift!

See below for a sneak preview of Global Homecoming keepsake gifts, tasting menu, and video from last year’s event.

At-the-door pricing: $20 community members, $15 I-House alumni.  Free admission for current residents.

Walk-in guests can still purchase tickets during Global Homecoming on October 20th. Ticket prices admission to all events and a gift item featured below (while supplies last).

Premium I-House Keepsake Gifts
All Global Homecoming guests will receive their choice of a clear stadium bag or a California poppy plant kit pictured below. I-House Alumni who attend will receive both items.


Stadium-approved clear tote bag. Go Bears!

A California Poppy kit with I-House pot, seeds, and soil!

The cornerstone event of Global Homecoming is our Around the World Under the Dome at 1:30 p.m. Witness your fellow I-House residents in the lively international Fashion Show while enjoying a variety of delicacies from around the globe. Tasting items include smørrebrøds and risalmande (Danish rice pudding) from Denmark, Joloff rice with chicken and bean and plantain pottage from Nigeria, kefta kebab and pistachio baklava from Turkey, and chicken satay with peanut sauce and kuih lapis (steamed layer cake) from Malaysia. These are just some of the delicious treats guests will be sampling.

Schedule of events:

  • 9:30 a.m. | I-House Architectural Heritage Tour with Executive Director Emeritus Joe Lurie
  • 10:30 a.m. | CIL (The Robertson Center for Intercultural Leadership) Interactive Session
  • 11:30 a.m. | Global Table Talk (Lunch in Dining Commons included)
  • 1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. | “Around the World Under the Dome” Fashion Show & Tasting Festival

New for this year, CIL (Robertson Center for Intercultural Leadership) will be leading an interactive session called Fight, Flight, Freeze, or Fawn? Managing Conflict as a Global Leadership Competency at 10:30 a.m. in the Chevron Auditorium.

See the full schedule of events at ihouse.berkeley.edu/globalhomecoming.

The House will be buzzing with excitement, and we hope that you will be part of the fun!

Read the Daily Cal article: International House gives global students homecoming of their own

Best regards from Berkeley,

I-House Philanthropy, Alumni Relations & Communications Team

International House at UC Berkeley
(510) 642-4128 | ihalumni@berkeley.edu

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The I-House Connection: Website Refresh; Early Bird Discounts for Global Homecoming and Cal Discoveries Tours; Staff Highlight

Posted on October 11, 2019 by Laurie Ferris

I-House ConnectionOctober 2019

Fostering a Sense of Community, in the House and Online
A website content refresh aligns with our commitment to improving the resident experience.

At International House Berkeley, we are proud to showcase an improved array of offerings tailored just for our residents to make the most out of their time here.

Resident Life sectionOur redesigned website more effectively portrays these offerings under a new umbrella, “Resident Life” comprised of the departments that make a big impact on residents: Admissions, Resident Support Services, and the Program Office. Residents may find information about the “I-House Experience” and gain access to a range of services, including signature programs, leadership opportunities, resident award competitions, financial aid, applying for a room, and direct ways to contact the Resident Life Team. Check out the new podcast series, From All Corners, featuring stories from I-House residents.

We invite you to see what’s new throughout the website at ihouse.berkeley.edu. We will continue to share updates as we roll out new enhancements, and we welcome your feedback. Thanks for stopping by!

Join Us!

Global Homecoming is Sunday, October 20th, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Register by Thursday, October 17th and save $5 with early bird pricing
$15 community members, $10 I-House alumni, and free admission for current residents

Eventbrite - I-House Global Homecoming 2019 (I-House Alumni and Community)

For a full schedule of activities or more information, please visit: ihouse.berkeley.edu/globalhomecoming

Calling All Alumni: Be a Global Table Talk Ambassador!
We are seeking alumni from all decades to participate in the Global Table Talk Lunch, a wonderful way to meet other I-House alumni and current residents while hearing about their experiences. Table Talk ambassadors are encouraged to invite their I-House friends to attend and be involved as well.

Global Table Talk ambassadors are needed on Sunday, October 20th from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Conversation starter cards will be provided, and all participants will receive lunch and special desserts for their participation. If you are interested, please email Angela Rauch at arauch@berkeley.edu. Angela will confirm your participation and send a special discount code to you.

Cal Discoveries Tours

Cal Discoveries Tour: Inland Sea of Japan
May 19 – 30, 2020

I-House alumni and friends are welcome to join International House Executive Director Emeritus Joe Lurie on this intriguing Cal Discoveries exploration of the ancient traditions of Japan.
Book by Oct. 18 and save $1,000 per person. Learn more and register

Cal Discoveries Tour: Switzerland, Germany, Austria, and the Passion Play
July 20 – 30, 2020

Join I-House Executive Director Hans Giesecke on a tour of the treasures of the northern Alps in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, where each day unfolds to reveal close-up encounters with enthralling European history, majestic mountain landscapes and medieval towns.
Book by Nov. 5 and save $250 per person. Learn more and register

Staff Highlight

We are pleased to welcome Cedric Martin, Director of Hospitality Services for International House.

Cedric brings over 16 years of hospitality services experience in leadership roles within complex operations, supervising diverse teams and managing challenging programs and assignments. Over the last nine years, he has been leading large teams within the UC Riverside Dining Department. He is most passionate about building strong relationships with his team members, partner departments and constituent organizations. He is focused on getting results and brings a positive attitude with him to work every day.

Cedric writes, “My first two months here at I-House have been really amazing. The staff and residents here have been great. I’m looking forward to continuing I-House’s mission of building lifelong friendships and fostering intercultural respect.”

Contact Cedric if you have any questions about I-House Dining or Catering Services.
cedricmartin@berkeley.edu
(510) 642-8057

Stay Connected

It is our goal to celebrate the lives and achievements of our alumni and the contributions they have made and continue to make around the world. Please help us to keep you informed of upcoming regional events, update our records to help you reconnect with old friends, locate lost alumni, and share recent news with you. If you have moved, changed email or mailing addresses, or want to give us an exciting update about developments in your own life, please let us know by filling out this brief contact update form.

By sharing this with your I-House friends, you are helping to extend our reach and to keep the I-House connection alive! As always, we welcome your news at ihalumni@berkeley.edu. See more ways for alumni to stay connected.

We look forward to welcoming you back to I-House. If you’re in the area, please let us know!

Best regards from Berkeley,

I-House Philanthropy, Alumni Relations & Communications Team

International House at UC Berkeley
(510) 642-4128 | ihalumni@berkeley.edu

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