Menu includes: Creamy butternut squash soup, roast turkey & cranberry sauce, beef stew, 3 Sisters Stew, mashed potatoes, stuffing, mac n’ cheese, rolls and assorted traditional desserts.
Please note: The DINING COMMONS WILL BE CLOSED on Thursday, November 27 for Thanksgiving and will re-open on Friday, November 28 for one meal only (brunch), from 9:30 am to 1:30 pm. The normal schedule will resume for Sat/Sun, November 29 & 30.
Enjoy a variety of international cuisines for breakfast, lunch and dinner in the I-House Dining Commons on the 2nd floor.
This week is Big Game week, my favorite week of the year. For the Berkeley vs Stanford football game many buildings light up in blue & gold, making the campus even more beautiful! I love night photography so shooting the campus with these special lights was something I looked forward to every year. Here are a few shots of Berkeley at Night.
Blue Campanile and Golden Gate at Sunset. Click to enlarge.
This photograph is my favorite shot of Berkeley because it captures Sather Tower, the Golden Gate Bridge, and one of the most beautiful sunsets I have ever seen! I absolutely love how this fantastic blue of the Campanile echoes the blue of the water and sky.
Blue Campanile and Doe Library. Click to enlarge.
Blue & Gold Campus. Click to enlarge.
Here are two shot of the Campanile and the Doe Library, both lit in beautiful blue and gold colors. In the first photo you can see a moonset above San Francisco and in the second one Cal’s logos are projected on the Campanile. Berkeley is certainly one of the most beautiful campuses!
Blue & Gold Sather Gate. Click to enlarge.
Blue & Gold Sather Gate Trees. Click to enlarge.
This campus tour wouldn’t be complete without photos of the campus’ other symbol, which is Sather Gate. Walking along those trees and through Sather Gate is such an amazing experience! It is always crowded, but with some night photography magic, people disappear to reveal Sather Gate in its entire splendor.
Blue & Gold I-House Dome. Click to enlarge.
Finally, I-House is also joining this tradition as the dome is lit in blue & gold. With that being said, enjoy the festivities: night rally, bonfire rally, and the Big Game on Saturday! Beat Stanford! Go Bears!
Today we are participating in UC Berkeley’s Big Give, a 24-hour online fundraising blitz to rally support for the students, faculty, and research across this amazing university. All contributions made during the 24 hour period to International House count toward the Big Give and the Big Slice competitions. Visit BigGive.berkeley.edu/ihouse before 9 p.m. PST to make your gift. Track progress on the Leaderboard, and help I-House move up the ranks.
Please consider making a gift to support International House, current home to some 600 residents from nearly 70 countries, intercultural networking and lifetime friendships for thousands of alumni worldwide. Just click here to make your gift.
Donations will also be doubled by the Schmidt Matching Challenge, so your big gift makes a bigger impact! I hope you will take part in the Big Give at UC Berkeley by making a gift to International House.
What’s all the fuss around an enormous roasted turkey, countless bowls of sides, mashed potatoes and a sweet, very tart cranberry sauce?
It’s what I-House residents who are part of our Host Family Program are going to discover next Thursday, November 27th for the Thanksgiving holiday. Many of our generous hosts have already invited their international guests to be part of this American tradition, reinterpreted according to all the different cultures and nationalities we are so fortunate to have here in the Bay Area.
Seven years ago, this time of the year, I had my first big turkey revelation. What I had seen in movies and shows materialized on a real American table (we had been invited by some of my husband’s colleagues). Pardon me, American fellows, but it was immediately clear this is not about the food. In seven years, I have never tasted a good Thanksgiving turkey or a special pumpkin pie (I don’t give up, so please feel free to defend here your incredible versions of this all American must), but there is something unbeatable about Thanksgiving celebration.
Thanksgiving not being about religion, makes it peculiar and unique. It speaks about gratitude for small and big achievements or gifts we got and about sharing with friends and family. It is a special moment of communion that, through the years, I have learned to appreciate more and more. I love the way people interpret it according to their culinary traditions (did you know many Italian families have Thanksgiving pasta or lasagna?), cultural backgrounds, personal choices and family obligations (where to celebrate?). It’s the only time of the year during which I feel the idea of potluck can be legit (culturally I am totally adverse to potluck, but that’s another long story:)). I love the silly idea of the President of the United States pardoning a turkey and I love the whole tradition of coming home for Thanksgiving. Although I would never attempt to travel during those days, I admit there is something heroic about a son or a daughter coming home on those traffic intense few days.
So dear residents, do not loose this precious opportunity to give thanks with your Host family if they are in town. And if they are not, and you are part of the Host Family Program, come to see me at the Front Desk and, as usual, I’ll try to pull one or two rabbits out of my “matchmaker” hat and match you with another host for this special occasion.
Know also that I-House will have a Thanksgiving lunch on the day of the holiday (November 27th), at 1 pm: our Executive Director and his family will be there and the food is said to be very great! Stay tuned for more info on this event (space is limited so sign up as soon as possible at the Front Desk).
I am on a Thanksgiving mission, for those who wish to experience this special holiday with a host family and a big portion of turkey with all the sides. 🙂
Happy holiday of the turkey!
PS: The Dining Hall will also have feast on Monday, November 24, 6-8 pm for the annual Native American/Thanksgiving Theme Dinner. Check out the menu or Follow this Blog via Email to get the menu delivered to your inbox every Monday.
Dear Ms. Chang, we are pleased to inform you that you have a place at the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Term begins on the 21st of August. We await your owl no later than the 31st of July. Yours sincerely, Minerva McGonagall.
So the story of my accommodation at the University of California Berkeley didn’t quite begin with the acceptance letter above. However, it sure as Hedwig should have. Many of you are current residents of the beloved International House and probably share the comparison to the magical counterpart aforementioned. Situated on a prime location on campus, especially for late night architecture students like me who scurry home from Wurster Hall at silly hours of the dark, I-House is a great destination after a long day at school or having been out partying. For a while I couldn’t quite put my finger on the beauty of I-House: I mean, where is the beauty in shared rooms, student accommodation dining and communal bathrooms, right? And then it dawned on me: I-House is like Hogwarts. No, I-House is Hogwarts. The comparison is one that begins as you trace through the architecture of the house.
The Great Hall
My first few steps into the building took me to the Great Hall: a large, high ceiling room with heavy carpets hanging from the walls and a large fireplace and voluminous sofas. The room emulates grandness and the rich colours of the wall carpets as well as the wide spanning iron chandeliers create the atmosphere of a different kind to that of the rows of preppy frat and sorority houses that are located just outside. It functions as a place of meeting, casual studying, watching football games, coffee hours and many more social events hosted by I-House. As a space, it exists as the shared ‘living room’ for all residents of I-House. Perhaps it was its grandeur and sense of history and age that initiated the realization of the Hogwarts-like world that I had entered.
Hermione casually photobombing my Great Hall photo
The Mail Room
To get to the elevators (which I must add are as rustic as the Great Hall), one must pass by the small mail room. Lined with small bronze letter mailboxes correlating to the number of your room, the mail room is a deliciously compact area with dim lighting and friendly post office assistants that make the usually banal activity of checking your mail, an absolute treat.
What does your owl have in store for you?
The Library
Perhaps not as grand or containing as many books as the great library at Hogwarts, the I-House Library is a modest, yet beautifully furnished, 24-hour study room open to all residence and guests. It is a place of calm and shaded, study-worthy escape from either the beating Californian sun or the busyness of Berkeley’s muggle buzz.
Studying sesh with Snape
The Nooks and Crannies
There are some times when I walk around I-House, delirious under the stress of schoolwork, when I truly believe that the power of Dumbledore hovers over the building. In these dizzying states I always seem to stumble over a small space of solitude (like a large window space big enough for one person to side comfortably in the frame while people watching and reading a book) or a small, secluded table facing towards a magnificent view over the Bay Area. I tell you, the room of requirement exists. And it is prevalent in Berkeley of all places!
Oh, hey there Ron…
The Bedrooms
There are two types of dorm rooms at I-House: the single room or the double room. As an undergraduate, I did not have the option of having my own single room and therefore went through the process of choosing a roommate through the online portal. My room is quite compact and has a bunk bed, two desks, a walk in wardrobe and a bookcase. My lovely roommate also brought an additional mini fridge from home and now the room is extremely cozy with furnishing. While the room is nothing to boast about, sharing a small space with someone you have never met in your entire life is quite an enlightening practice and essentially all part of the “American Student Experience.” Also, I do remember that Hogwarts features bunk beds, which make the whole situation a lot more bearable.
No photoshop, I promise.
The Magical People
Finally, I want to mention that there is something in the air of International House that somehow makes everyone extremely friendly, kind and sociable. I have not met a single I-House resident who was overtly unpleasant or Slytherin-like. (People of this inclination obviously study elsewhere *coughcough* Stanford *coughcough*) People of contrasting background, stories and values. People with juxtaposing dreams, missions and life goals. Approximately 600 students a year. We all sit around in the Dining Commons talking of culture, politics and human endeavors. It is a kind of magic that cannot be explained.
Muggles and Wizards mingling in the the magical Dining Commons
Quidditch at Berkeley
As if my comparison couldn’t be solidified even further, it happens that UC Berkeley has it’s own Quidditch team! Fully equipped with broomsticks, three goal rings and a golden snitch ripper-rugby deal where a sock is attached with velcro to a pair of golden sport shorts, the team competes in tournaments against other schools throughout the year. Perhaps the location of the International House upon the high altitudes of Bancroft is significant here: the magic from our accommodation seems to leaks down into campus contaminating everyone with good vibes and wizarding tendencies… Masters thesis? I think yes. Here is a link to CalTV’s coverage of this sporting wonder: http://youtu.be/YkU2StNkV2s
So if you haven’t noticed by now, I am really quite enamoured about living at Hogwarts I-House thus far. Over the last 6 weeks, I have met many a Harry, Hermione, Ron, Luna, Cho and other colourful characters. I have encountered unexplainable moments of friendship, learning of new cultures, events, dining hall conversations and free cookies. To decide to apply for this accommodation is one that I am extremely glad to have made before coming to Berkeley. It is an exciting thought to know that I am one patchwork in a long legacy of a mission to “foster intercultural respect, understanding, lifelong friendships and leadership skills for the promotion of a more tolerant and peaceful world.” This blog post may sound like an extremely cheesy advert for incoming exchange or visiting scholar witches and wizards around the world. However, I believe that the experience I have had so far at I-House is an experience worthy to be shared and, perhaps for a lack of vocabulary, advertised, so as more people can experience its magic.
I hope to soon meet you all at Platform 9 ¾! Go Bears!
On November 20, you have the chance to make a BIG difference for International House during the Big Give, our first-ever 24-hour online fundraising drive to support Cal students and faculty.
Check out the video — and the messages and pictures being posted by your fellow Berkeley buddies! Get your three minutes of social media fame and tell us why Berkeley is a big deal to you, then come back on November 20 to make a gift.
Let’s show the world how much bigger we can dream — and be — when we act together.
Make your Big Give gift even bigger! All gifts to International House will be doubled by the Schmidt Matching Challenge!
Schmidt Match Doubles Your Gift!
Make your own Big Give signs!
Just follow the steps shown by Michelle De La Cruz, former I-House Development Superstar student staff (woot-woot!), and post photos on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter with the hashtag #CalBigGive.
Represent I-House! Big Give signs and markers available at the front desk.
Big Give signs and markers conveniently located at the I-House front desk
Yo recuerdo que me levantaba y absorbía como una esponja del jet lag de toda la casa. Yo recuerdo que bajaba al refectorio. Yo recuerdo que me sentaba a desayunar con Anaïs, la primera persona a quien me presenté oficialmente y a quien seria la ultima persona que yo diría adiós al fin de nuestro año en la casa donde vivía en la Casa Internacional. Yo recuerdo que tomaba el ascensor con una chica italiana y un chico turco. Yo recuerdo que conocía a las personas de mas que una docena países antes del almuerzo y de una docena mas después. Pero no conocería a mi compañera de cuarto, June Soyoung Park, hasta el día siguiente después de llegar.
Ella ya llegó, yo sabía el momento que la escuché a la puerta. Salté de mi cama, por poco me golpeo con los tableros de la cama superior que yo había reservada para ella. Abrí la puerta- “June?” yo le pregunté, “Bienvenidos! Soy Gabby! Necesitas ayuda con tus maletas? Te puedo abrazar?” “Claro,” se rió cuando nos abrazamos por la primera vez.
Yo encontré a June en el plataforma en línea para los compañeros de cuarto de la Casa Internacional poco después que apliqué. Desde entonces, nos habíamos comunicando por el correo durante todo el verano. Habíamos aprendido de todos nuestros intereses y nuestras vidas antes de cuando llegaríamos a Berkeley por el semestre de otoño- ella como una estudiante de intercambio de Corea del Sud haciendo sus estudios jurídicos a la Universidad de Waseda en Japon, y yo como una estudiante de transferencia de Sacramento, California estudiando desarrollo internacional.
La historia de nuestro primero encuentro ha sido contada muchas veces a nuestros compañeros residentes. Yo no se que si hay un secreto al mantener realmente una relación de éxito con un compañero de cuarto, pero para nosotras el gran secreto fue un combinación de paciencia, mentalidad abierta, y locura reciproca. Aunque somos de los lados del mundo completamente opuestos, podíamos llenar cualquier diferencia que teníamos por lo que nos enseñaban nuestras vidas y culturas. La llevé a todas mis lugares favoritas de San Francisco y ella me enseño como cantar sus canciones favoritas de K-Pop. Juntos, tratamos de practicar hablando en español y compartimos las payasadas sin fin durante las noches de cuando no podíamos dormir a causa de las tareas y lecturas infinitas. Todo el tiempo, creamos juntos un nuevo mundo dentro de la Casa Internacional.
Después de todo, es lo que todos viven en la Casa International hacen Cuando había representantes de todos los continentes viviendo en una casa, nos convertimos en embajadores de nuestros países, pero también somos testigos y participantes en los intercambios. ¡fenomenal! los que pasan en casa cada día; Incluso algo tan simple como compartir una comida con un extranjero del otro lado del mundo, tomando el tiempo para tratar de aprender solo unas palabras de otro idioma o levantarse encontrando un nuevo amigo cada mañana. En cada encuentro, la Casa Internacional se convierte en un mundo de nuestra creación.
Mientras que residentes y amigos cariñosos van y vienen, estos intercambios no son inútiles. Las memorias y lo que se había construido en la casa durante los años pasados, continuara influenciando a los residentes actuales y futuros, también nos regresan en el tiempo, recreando nuestros mundos reales, durante mucho, mucho tiempo, después de nuestra salida. Lugares que parecían distantes y extranjeros, ahora tienen sofás con nuestros nombres. Cuando salimos de la Casa Internacional, tenemos la oportunidad de recrear nuestros mundos y unirnos.
Enjoy a variety of international cuisines for breakfast, lunch and dinner in the I-House Dining Commons on the 2nd floor.
In observance of Veterans Day on Tuesday, Nov. 11th, brunch will be the only meal served 9:30am – 1:30 pm.
Veterans Day Brunch Menu: Fruit and Yogurt Bar, Waffle Bar, Vegan Jook, Hot Oatmeal, Omelette Bar, Sausage Patty, French Toast, Vegetarian Breakfast Burrito, Roasted Potatoes, Quiche Lorraine, Huevos Rancheros, Seafood Pad Thai, Baked Chicken Achiote, Vegan Silken Tofu Scramble w/Spinach.
From watching the Blue Angels to plummeting 18,000 ft. to flying a Cessna, over the past month, I’ve spent more time with my I-House buddies off the ground than in the classes.
It all started when two wonderful RAs organized a Fleet Week airshow trip. One fine Sunday morning about three weeks ago, close to twenty residents met at the I-House front steps ready for one of the best airshows we’ve seen.
Residents all set to witness the Airshow
Once, we reached the city, there was almost a unanimous decision to walk along the Embarcadero instead of taking the Muni. What followed was a memorable trip witnessing the might of the Naval fleet along the way and the spectacular display of pure awesomeness in the sky, culminating in the awe inspiring and legendary show of the Blue Angels. Here are some pictures –
Complex maneuvers !
The Plummeting Blue Angels
Blue Angels over the Bay
The Goodbye!
Within a week, the exhilaration was back. Having tried for three years, with great difficulty, I could finally convince four of my fellow residents to jump off a plane. We went to Skydive Monterey Bay and took the mighty leap out into the confluence of Sky, Land and Ocean.
Residents Anna, Amber, Anne, Vishwa and Nicholas ready for the skydive
Feeling the Elements
Straight into the world’s highest 18,000 ft. tandem dive, with wind blowing past at 125 mph, it was the ride of a lifetime. The adrenaline rush and the calmness thereafter when the parachute opens and you look down at the beauty that the Earth is, all I can say is we returned new and rejuvenated.
A week later, there was a post on the Facebook I-House group and now it seems everyone wants to try skydiving. Guess what, Just Do it!
Once, you are up there, you always feel that itch to leave ground. True to the word, last Monday I was back up with one of my German skydive buddies, this time flying a Cessna aircraft over the bay. We went for a flying lesson to Oakland Flyers. I can never forget the moment when I pulled the plane up off the runway. The beautiful bird’s eye views of the East Bay, the Bay Bridge, Alcatraz, San Francisco, the list goes on.
Flying over Treasure Island
I always wanted to drive across the Golden Gate Bridge. I was not disappointed at all when instead I got to fly on top of it right through the center of the two towers. Turning over the ocean, we crossed the entire bay and landed in Napa Valley.
Golden Gate, straight ahead!
Flying over the Golden Gate
Words cannot describe this! Finishing the turn over Golden Gate
Resident Anne excited for her First Flight
Do you think the best views were over? Think again. My friend flew us back and then came another sight to cherish.
We flew over Berkeley waving like toddlers at the campus and I-House from the sky. It was my greatest ever and most beautiful view of UC Berkeley. Check it out for yourself.
UC Berkeley campus from the heavens! Do you see I-House?
You are living with an inquisitive and adventurous international community in one of the best multifaceted areas of the world. Make the best use of it.
November 24, 6-8 pm: Native American/Thanksgiving Theme Dinner
Enjoy a variety of international cuisines for breakfast, lunch and dinner in the I-House Dining Commons on the 2nd floor.
In observance of Veterans Day on Tuesday, Nov. 11th, brunch will be the only meal served 9:30am – 1:30 pm.
I-House: Where UC Berkeley Meets the World 