Communal living podcast; Bay Area Host Family Program; Joe Lurie to lead tour at Global Homecoming

Posted on August 16, 2019 by Laurie Ferris

The I-House Connection

Dear Alumni and Friends,

Communal Living

International House opened in Berkeley in 1930. It became not only a place where international students could live, but it was also co-ed — this defied social norms of the period.

We are pleased to share that International House was recently featured in a podcast produced by The Bancroft Library about communal living. The episode features an audio recording of the first executive director of International House Berkeley, Allen C. Blaisdell. Below is an excerpt:

“One solution to this discrimination was the expansion of the International House model that began in New York. The idea was to create a multicultural residence that would house international students and scholars, fostering intercultural connections. But when International House opened in 1930 on Piedmont Avenue in Berkeley, it faced pushback from the local community.“

Allen C. Blaisdell was the first director of I-House. He recalls:
“…realtors and others who owned apartment houses took the attitude that International House was to relieve them of the problem of racial housing. And I said, ‘On the contrary, International House was established to set the pattern for everyone to follow.’”

Listen to full podcast.

Happy 89th Birthday International House Berkeley!

I-House Berkeley, circa 1930We are also excited about our 89th birthday on August 18th! Please help us celebrate by sharing a story for our Stories website. Submit your story here, or share a post on Facebook or Instagram telling us about why you love International House. Include the hashtag #ihouseberkeley. Videos welcome!

August 18th marks the beginning of our milestone 90th year, and we will be announcing more events over the next few months.

Consider a donation to honor 89 years of International House!Make a Birthday Gift to I-House Now

Questions? Email us at ihalumni@berkeley.edu or call (510) 642-4128.

Apply for the Bay Area Host Family Program

Host Family ProgramEvery year, friends of International House are invited to host an incoming resident for welcoming activities as part of our Host Family Program. With the goal of easing the students’ transition to the Bay Area and to help them understand the local way of life, host families offer cultural revelations, new perspectives, day trips, shared meals, and more—that can lead to long-term international friendships.

To learn more and to apply, visit the Host Family Program page or contact ggivens@berkeley.edu with any questions.

Join us for Global Homecoming

Sunday, October 20, 2019, 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Global Homecoming 2019

We will be highlighting a variety of different activities planned for Global Homecoming in the upcoming editions of our I-House Connection, leading up to October 20th. We are pleased to announce that Executive Director Emeritus Joe Lurie will be leading an Architectural Heritage Tour again this year at 9:30 a.m. He will be highlighting the remarkable relevance of the building’s location, construction and architectural features to the institution’s ongoing mission and impact.

Other events include an interactive presentation by the Robertson Center for Intercultural Leadership (CIL); the Global Table Talk Lunch; and the Around the World Under the Dome Fashion Show & Tasting Festival. See the schedule and more details at ihouse.berkeley.edu/globalhomecoming

Eventbrite - I-House Global Homecoming 2019 (I-House Alumni and Community)Ticket prices include admission to all events. Save $5 by pre-registering. Register online now.

Calling All Alumni!

Stay in TouchIt 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 friends, you are helping to extend our reach and to keep the International House Berkeley connection alive! As always, we welcome your news at ihalumni@berkeley.edu.

As always, we welcome your news at ihalumni@berkeley.edu.

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 Development, Alumni Relations & Communications Team

Meet the Alumni Relations Team

I-House LogoThe I-House Development, Alumni Relations & Communications Team

(510) 642-4128 | ihalumni@berkeley.edu

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July I-House Connection: News of Betsey Warrick; I-House Turns 89; Save the Date for Global Homecoming

Posted on July 9, 2019 by Laurie Ferris

The I-House Connection

Dear Alumni and Friends,

It is with heartfelt sadness that we transmit this announcement about the recent passing of Elizabeth “Betsey” Warrick, longtime supporter and former First Lady of International House Berkeley. Betsey’s impact on I-House began when her husband, Sheridan “Sherry” Warrick, entered into service as Executive Director from 1961 to 1987, and has continued over the decades. We were honored and privileged to host Sherry and Betsey’s 70th Wedding Anniversary celebration at International House in 2015, where Sherry gave credit to Betsey for being a true partner in his role as Executive Director, noting that every night she sat alongside him at the kitchen table to review the events of the day.

Betsey Warrick

Elizabeth “Betsey” Warrick  March 18, 1924 – June 26, 2019

Betsey often welcomed residents at their house for dinner and holidays for impromptu music jam sessions. Her generosity to International House continued throughout her life and was marked by establishing the Sheridan and Betsey Warrick Scholarship Endowment at I-House, along with Sherry.

She is deeply missed by all. Betsey herself suggested memorial contributions be made to the Sheridan and Betsey Warrick Scholarship Endowment, International House, 2299 Piedmont Ave., Berkeley CA 94720. A celebration of her life is being planned for the fall.

The obituary includes many highlights of Betsey’s remarkable life and legacy.

International House Berkeley Turns 89

August 18th is tI-House Berkeley, circa 1930he 89th birthday of I-House Berkeley! Help us celebrate by sharing a story for our I-House Stories website. To submit your story, click here, or share a post on Facebook or Instagram telling us about why you love International House. Tag I-House and include the hashtag #ihouseberkeley. Videos and photos are welcome!

Continue reading →

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Ten Things to Know Before Coming to International House at UC Berkeley

Posted on May 25, 2019 by Juan Antonio Pérez

Hi there! It has been an incredible experience to live at International House as an exchange student in Berkeley. Here are ten insights that will probably be useful for your stay at UC Berkeley.

1. It doesn’t rain all the time and summer happens in September and October

I was told, when I applied to Berkeley, that it was a cold place where it was constantly raining. I even thought about choosing UCLA or Santa Barbara just for the good weather. However, I soon discovered that Northern California can be a great location to enjoy the sun, especially in September and October, when the summer takes place in the Bay Area. On my first semester here, I only remember two days of rain.

cal1 10 things

Berkeley and the San Francisco Bay, seen from the Big C (a great short hike!) Continue reading →

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How to Make the Most of Your Time At Cal

Posted on May 6, 2019 by Loyalty Traster-Lee

Hello friends, happy spring! As I type these words, it is the last week of instruction for the semester, and, in fact, it is only a handful of days before I officially graduate.

I have had a truly wonderful time here at UC Berkeley and International House.  I’m feeling very nostalgic right now, especially as one of my friend’s younger sister prepares to enter Cal as a freshman next fall.

Whether you are an American here for your entire undergraduate career, or an international student enjoying a single semester, I hope you can use the tips below to make the most out of your time at Cal. Let us know if you have any additional tips in the comments below. Go Bears!

Join Clubs

There are SO many clubs, associations, and organizations on campus, that there really is something for everyone. You can join groups that help with your professional development and career goals, such as the Anthropology Undergraduate Association or the Asian American Law Journal, or you can meet people who share your hobbies and interests, such as our Quidditch league or Azaad, the Bollywood dancing team. Putting yourself out there is uncomfortable, but by expanding your comfort zone, you can find people to connect with! Check out https://callink.berkeley.edu/organizations for more information.

Continue reading →

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A Very Spanish Day at UC Berkeley

Posted on May 3, 2019 by Juan Antonio Pérez

On Wednesday, April 24th we had the opportunity to live a very Spanish day in Berkeley, 12,000 km away from my home in Spain. (For Spanish speakers, I have included a translation of this article en español below.)

The day began with a very special activity suggested by Paulina, another a Program Assistant in the International House Program Office. She organized an activity with the Berkeley Food and Housing Project, for which we cooked over 100 servings of paella in a homeless shelter. It was a beautiful experience, and also very special for me because we used my family’s paella recipe. Even though I have seen paella being made every Sunday for as long as I can remember, neither I nor the rest of our team (who were from many countries such as Nepal, Germany, USA, and Italy) had ever cooked paella in our lives.

We practiced making paella twice the previous week to get some experience and it was not easy. For instance, on our first attempt, we did not have a pan big enough and we put too much water, which ended up in some flooding. However, the result was better than expected, and many residents and friends enjoyed our paella that day. Continue reading →

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Interesting Facts about Baroness Oona King, I-House Alumna of the Year

Posted on April 26, 2019 by Laurie Ferris

The I-House Connection

Greetings from Berkeley!

We are so pleased to honor Baroness Oona King (IH 1989-90) at this year’s Gala and present her with the 2019 Alumna of the Year award for her advocacy in human rights, her visionary leadership, and the many accomplishments throughout her career.

Baroness Oona King (IH 1989-90) to be honored at I-House Gala on May 9, 2019 Baroness Oona King (IH 1989-90) to be honored at International House Gala on Thursday, May 9th

Here are a few inspiring achievements and interesting facts about Baroness Oona King: Continue reading →

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Baroness Oona King (IH 1989-90) to be honored at I-House Gala

Posted on April 20, 2019 by Laurie Ferris

Dear I-House alumni and friends,

Each year, I-House proudly celebrates and honors distinguished individuals who embody our mission to promote a world of greater understanding and peace.

Baroness Oona King (IH 1989 - 90) Baroness Oona King (IH 1989-90)

This year, I-House honors Baroness Oona King (IH 1989-90) as I-House Alumna of the Year in recognition of her work as a member of the British Parliament, her advocacy for human rights, and her visionary leadership as the Director of Diversity Strategy at Google. Oona writes, “Really looking forward to returning to I-House (where I had the best year of my life)!”

Oona is a member of the House of Lords (a life-time appointment as Baroness King of Bow in January 2011), and former Senior Policy Advisor to the Prime Minister. Oona became a member of the House of Commons at the age of 29 – the second woman of color, and 200th woman elected to the British Parliament. Read Press Release (PDF)
See below for more Gala event details.

Continue reading →

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Favorite Berkeley Sights

Posted on April 18, 2019 by Loyalty Traster-Lee

Hello friends! The semester is winding down, and I know that a lot of people (myself included) are trying to make the most of living in Berkeley and I-House before having to leave. If you’ve spent most of your time here studying and hustling, then take a break, and check out some of my personal favorite Berkeley sights!

  1. The Campanile

Of course, one of the iconic symbols of Cal! You can go to the top for free with Cal Student ID, and get a BEAUTIFUL view of the entire Bay Area. The history of Sather Tower is also fascinating, from how it received its title as the third tallest clock tower in the world, to how there are hundreds of fossils tucked away in the base. Even if you don’t enter the Campanile, you can still hear the bells being played by students, and that alone often makes me smile! Continue reading →

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A Week at I-House

Posted on April 11, 2019 by Loyalty Traster-Lee

International House is, in my humble opinion, the best residence for students attending UC Berkeley. The location, view, and amenities are fantastic, and the people are, of course, wonderful. Below is how my typical week at I-House plays out. Let us know in the comments below what your week is like. Happy spring, everyone!

Monday

this room has such good acoustics – perfect for blasting workout music!

After waking up and grabbing a tea or coffee from the dining commons, I rush off to campus. My day is full of classes, lab, and work, but I come back in time for dinner with some friends. After chatting about cultural differences and our weekend plans, I excuse myself and make my way to the Chevron Auditorium. On Mondays, from 7-8 pm, there is a free yoga class for residents, and from 8-9 pm, there is a free Zumba class. After a long day, some physical exercise is very welcome, and the instructors are very kind and funny!

Continue reading →

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I-House Times Newsletter: Cultivating Community

Posted on April 3, 2019 by Laurie Ferris

Dear I-House alumni and friends,

We hope that you enjoy the latest I-House Times newsletter featuring stories about the residential experience and our endeavors to cultivate community.

I-House Times Spring 2019In This Issue:

  • Executive Director Hans Giesecke’s Message: Aspiring Towards a More Welcoming Community
  • Meet Bill Howley, Director of Philanthropy
  • May 9th Gala to honor Baroness Oona King (IH 1989-90)
  • Preparing Leaders of the Future
  • The Resident Experience Working Group
  • Harry Edmonds’ Lasting Legacy and That “I-House Magic”
  • The Golden Age of International House Shines On
  • Honor Roll of Donors
  • Back to Berkeley, Global Gatherings, Alumni News & Notes
  • and much more!
    View PDF | Browse Flipbook

Calling All Alumni!

Stay in TouchIt is our goal to celebrate the lives and achievements of our alumni and the contributions they have made and continue to make in the world. Please help us to update our records and locate lost alumni. If you have moved, changed email or mailing addresses, or want to give us an exciting update, please let us know by filling out this brief contact update form.

By sharing this email with your I-House friends, you are helping to extend our reach and to keep the I-House connection alive! Continue reading →

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