I-House is always open for intercultural exchanges

Posted on October 24, 2014 by lilianacardile

I-House is always open for intercultural exchanges!Seeing things from a different perspective.

That’s what it’s all about when it comes to learning and understanding.

I have long practiced this “golden rule” in my previous life when I was reporting from different places in the world and I had to quickly learn new cultures and write about them. I miss it now that my life has taken a different course here in beautiful, progressive, open-minded, organically correct Berkeley. What better place if you yourself claim to be progressive, open-minded, (semi) organically correct like I do? Even the food is great. We have our campus to be super proud of, the weather is amazing, hopefully we’re even going to beat the Big soda industry and set an example for the rest of the country! Oh yes, it’s great to live in Berkeley, it’s great to work in campus.

However…don’t blame me if, in days like today, I miss being pushed out of my comfort zone by some new challenging political topic or some intriguing discussion about the rest of the world, about the countries you are coming from, dear residents.

I crave seeing things through your eyes. What does the resident from Hong Kong think about the protests in his or her country? What does the Muslim resident talk about when she or he calls parents and relatives back home? What are you Singaporeans learning about the US that you did not know before? What are you European residents learning from your experience here?

I am sure your lunch and dinner times are packed with this kind of topics.

Just know that one of the main reasons I wanted this job at I-House, is because of you and because of the things I can learn and discuss with you when you are not rushing from one class to the other.

You are always welcome at I-House Front Desk and I am always ready to be taken for a ride in your beautiful, interesting, painful, different cultural backgrounds!

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Halloween in Santa Barbara

Posted on October 23, 2014 by Joël Thai

Bonjour !

Now that Gabby has showed you how to choose the perfect Halloween costume, where should you go to show off your costume? The answer is Santa Barbara!

Ready to go out and celebrate Halloween

Ready to go out and celebrate Halloween

Every year, tens of thousands of students from all over California meet in Santa Barbara, more precisely in Isla Vista to celebrate Halloween. When I went in 2010, at least half of I-House went down to Santa Barbara. We rented many buses/cars and literally booked several floors at hotels/hostels. Most of the residents at Isla Vista are UC Santa Barbara students and it has become a tradition to fill the streets for Halloween. Santa Barbara is probably hosting one of the largest Halloween student parties in the country, it is a huge street party and it is a blast!

Cruising on a quadricycle along the beach

Cruising on a quadricycle along the beach

Now, Santa Barbara is not just about partying. During the day there are a lot of things to do as well. First, there is the beach. You can just take it easy, relax, and sunbathe. You can also walk on Stearns Wharf, the Santa Barbara pier that has many restaurants and shops. If you want to be a little more active, you can rent a quadricycle and cruise along the beach. It is a lot of fun!

Santa Barbara County Courthouse

Santa Barbara County Courthouse

Other attractions are the Santa Barbara Mission and the Santa Barbara County Courthouse. The Mission has gorgeous architecture and there is a rose garden. You can also visit the County Courthouse which has a beautiful murals and architecture, but the highlight of the Courthouse is the clock tower, which offers a fantastic 360° view of Santa Barbara. If you are in Santa Barbara, the Courthouse is a must-see.

Tip: on the way back I recommend driving on the Pacific Coast Highway, aka Highway 1. It is truly one of the most beautiful roads in the world and a destination in itself.

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Choosing the Perfect Halloween Costume

Posted on October 22, 2014 by gabriellarenee
Trick or Treat

Fellow I-House residents visiting my room for the resident trick or treat (2012)

Lions and Tigers and Golden Bears aren’t the only creatures that are lurking around campus these days. Halloween is just around the corner and as each day passes, more and more pumpkins appear on the doorsteps of residences all over Berkeley, including I-House. Most of the world does not celebrate Halloween with mega doses of high fructose corn syrup as we do in the United States; but never fear, I-House is here to guarantee that you have access to all the classic (albeit commercialized and sugar coma-inducing) Halloween traditions shared by American students everywhere: pumpkin carving, a Halloween party, and even trick-or-treating for residents. All you have to do is find a costume and join in the fun.

While finding the perfect costume can be one of the most difficult parts of Halloween, it’s a chance for you to be creative and it can also lead to one of the most memorable experiences of your time in Berkeley.

Check your closet

The first step to choosing the perfect Halloween costume is to get inspired. When you are on a college student budget, it’s probably best to see if you can use what you already have. If you don’t know what you want to be yet, there might be something in your closet calling your name (other than the Boogey Man). If you do already have a costume idea in mind, your closet can be a great place to start looking for basics. There’s no need to buy something that you already have.

Hipster Esmeralda

Hipster Esmeralda

My first year at Cal, I found inspiration from my glasses, a maxi-skirt, and “Hipster Disney Princess- the Musical.” I decided to go extra on the hipster and be Hipster Esmeralda- the gypsy princess from Disney’s animated version of the Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996). Lucky for me, I was able to find everything I needed in my closet.

Thrift Stores and Consignment Shops

If you still find yourself in need of inspiration and/or essential pieces for your costume. Check out one of Berkeley’s many thrift stores and consignment shops within walking distance of campus for some cheap baubles and threads. After all, one man’s trash is another man’s Halloween costume.

Costume Shops

If it’s the day of your Halloween Party or Trick-or-Treat excursion, there are a number of costume shops around Berkeley, including Party Heaven on Bancroft. There you can purchase pre-made costumes or last-minute accessories to top off your get up.

Get in Character

Betty Boop

Betty Boop

Once you have your outfit in order, its time to don your costume, apply any last minute touches using face paint or make up, and think of some key quotes or character traits that will really sell your costume.

Last year, I decided to dress up as Betty Boop. Since I had cut off all my hair a couple months earlier, and once again had everything I needed for the costume in my repertoire, all I needed to do was perfect my “boop-oop-a-doop” and go.

Have a Happy Halloween!

No matter what you plan on doing once in your costume, remember to stay safe, take pictures, and have fun!

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Join us for Discover Cal, Diwali & UN Day Celebration Dinner

Posted on October 20, 2014 by Laurie Ferris

Discover Cal: A Menu for Change: Transforming the Food System

You are invited to register for Discover Cal, a traveling lecture series that brings renowned faculty to the extended Cal family. Meet Hans Giesecke, Executive Director, or Joy Iwasa, Interim Director of Development and Alumni Relations while mingling with other I-House friends on Oct. 21 in Atherton, or Oct. 30 in San Francisco.

Discover Cal

How can we sustainably and ethically feed the world? The Berkeley Food Institute is a groundbreaking interdisciplinary effort that brings together diverse scholars to effect change in how our food is grown, delivered, and consumed. Please join us for a lively conversation on cultivating diversity, justice, and health through food.

Atherton, Menlo Circus Club
Tuesday, October 21 | 6 – 8:30 p.m.
San Francisco, Four Seasons Hotel
Thursday, October 30 | 6 – 8:30 p.m.
October 30 includes an exclusive reception with the presenters for members of The Charter Hill Society.

Register for either event, then let us know you’re coming by emailing ihalumni@berkeley.edu or call (510) 642-4128.

Discover CalTickets: $25 in advance, $30 at the door
6–7 p.m.— Light refreshments, a no-host bar
7–8:30 p.m.— Faculty presentation and audience Q&A

Diwali: Indian Festival of Lights
Thursday, October 23 | 6-8 p.m. | I-House Dining Hall

Enjoy a lavish buffet of Indian delicacies and see our Dining Hall transformed with festive lights, candles and decorations.
Menu: Lamb Biryani, Chicken Tikka Masala, Saag Paneer, Samosa, Gobi Aloo, Pulao Rice, Naan, Rice Pudding with Pistachio and Almond.
$12.50 per person. View weekly Dining Menu.

UN Day Celebration and Awards Dinner
Sunday, October 26 | 5-8:45 p.m.

Topic: “Peace and Human Security: the UN’s Role and Record”
Keynote Speaker: Jérome Sauvage

Jérome Sauvage has served with the United Nations for 31 years in Asia, Africa, and the USA.  He is currently Deputy Director of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in Washington, DC. In his prior assignment, Mr. Sauvage was the UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Representative in North Korea.
Tickets: $40; Student discount: $20
Advance Reservations Required. This event sells out every year!
Reserve at: www.undayevent2014.eventbrite.com or phone 510-642-9461

Seeing pink? So are we!

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, our iconic dome is illuminated pink. For some staff members, this disease is close to home, so we decided to “light the dome!”

Lighting by International House Maintenance Department. Photo by current resident Peter Lê. See more photos on Pinterest or Instagram.

Visit Us

Alumni Relations Welcomes you!The I-House Office of Alumni Relations welcomes alumni to stop by I-House and visit while in the area. Please check in at the front desk and ask the front desk assistant to call the Alumni Relations Office. We will meet you and you will be welcome to walk around, take a photo, and update us on what you’re up to. Don’t be a stranger if you find yourself on campus again! We’ll even give you an “I Love I-House” heart sticker!

 Big GiveWhat’s the Big Deal?

Find out at at biggive.berkeley.edu

Sending our best wishes from Berkeley!

International House Development & Alumni Relations
(510) 642-4128 | ihalumni@berkeley.edu

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Sunday Supper makes it happen again!

Posted on October 16, 2014 by lilianacardile

Last weekend I attended a Sunday Supper for first time and, even now, after few days, I can still feel the excitement and the good vibe of that beautiful evening. Sunday Supper is one of the oldest programs at International House, and once again, it proved to be extraordinary for many reasons.

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To start with: dearest residents you all were so elegant in your ties, high heels, gowns and suits. I see you everyday rushing out to your classes and this was such a change. Makeup, sparkling clothes, some bow ties here and there, even few faux lashes, some ethic dresses. Oh my, you know how fond of elegance I am. I enjoyed looking at each and everyone of you, what a treat.

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Also, it was a special occasion as my older son, Mattia, was accompanying me to an event for first time and I was proud and happy to show him I-House “by night” and our wonderful community. He has been growing in a very international environment but bringing him to I-House is always like going to intercultural communication class. Every time, he comes home with some new question and curiosity or learns about a new country and looks it up in his world map. I love when this happens!

After a nice reception in the Great Hall the evening officially started. We had some very good food served to us and an exciting show to watch.

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That rope skipping to the rhythm of country music blew our minds!  And, what about the final Gangnam style performance? Shhhh, don’t tell anyone, but Hans, our Executive Director, was right in front of me moving and shaking Korean style.

Rope skipping  

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The moment the Davis Peace Projects were presented was really great. To see some previous residents making the difference somewhere in the world gave all of us such a pride. And it made me think that everything is possible when we work together and share a bit of that spirit treasured here at I-House: understanding while learning to live together under the same roof, under the Dome.

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I left joyful, full of hope. My son told me he loved to be “just the two of us at I-House.” I am honored to be helping such beautiful and smart residents with my daily job. And I harbor the not so secret hope that my sons will remember these nights in a not so distant future as part of the experiences that made the difference for them.

The crux of intercultural adaptation and integration is the ability to have an alternative cultural experience. To make it happen, around here, we just need to come to I-House dining hall for lunch or dinner, or to the next coffee hour or to Sunday Supper where the world gathers around the table to share bread, ideas and laughs.

No matter what you’ll certainly find me there. In high heels, of course!

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Posted in Life at I-House | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Unexpected

Posted on October 15, 2014 by Koen Bressers

Hi everyone!

How was your weekend? Mine was fantastic, and filled with some pleasant surprises. I’ll share some of them with you in this blog, starting on Thursday – since I don’t have classes on Friday, that’s the official start of my weekend (yes, I have chosen my classes carefully!).

Thursday night, I attended a lecture by former ihouse director Joe Lurie entitled “Astonishing Tales about the I-House Building and its Extraordinary Mix of Residents Over Eight Decades”. Joe shared some very interesting facts about the building; did you know the auditorium ceiling was inspired by a Spanish/Moorish temple?

Moreover, Joe shared some of his experiences as ihouse director regarding cultural differences. I-house history has many ‘cultural success stories’, with some former residents being married today as a result. However, in a place as multicultural as I-House, cultural conflict also occurs, varying from differences in time perspective to unexpected dining or bathroom habits. Many of these conflicts do not arise because residents dislike each other, but rather because of differences in cultural values that both parties may not be aware of. Sometimes, these unexpected behaviors result into friction. However, ihouse also gives us the opportunity to explore these cultural differences in an informal way and learn from each other. In that way, ihouse can be regarded as a cultural playground, where we learn (and have fun) together.

Talking about fun: let’s skip ahead to Friday! Time for another unexpected surprise. I’ve found that the ihouse corridors are a place of excitement late at night and there is always something going on somewhere. Last Friday, that somewhere was my room. Some of my friends invited themselves to a party in my room and one of them was so kind to put the good news on Facebook (thanks Nico!). A lively party was the result, until the moment we all knew would arrive was there: an RA banging on the door. Party over! 😉

Back to cultures: to further enrich my intercultural ihouse experience, I joined the Intercultural Leadership Initiative, which brings me to Saturday. We had our first ‘field trip’ as an ILI group! The trip took us to Oakland, where we visited Oakland’s Chinatown and experienced some American culture whilst eating ‘soul food’ at Everett & Jones (which I highly recommend for any BBQ/meat lovers!). Below are some pictures we took during the day, it was a great trip! (Thanks for organizing Jess!)

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From left to right on the top picture: Vigny, Hikaru, Maggie, Nick, Andrea, Jorge, Jess, Koen, Arshia, Verena, Atsuo, Mwikali

After going clubbing ‘in style’ (as in, going there with a limo!) in San Fransisco Saturday night, my Sunday started out lazy. However, in the afternoon it was time to dress up for another great ihouse experience: the Sunday supper. The supper was great, I hosted a very nice family from the rotary club and the acts were amazing! I think the various acts nicely illustrated the diversity of ihouse and it’s residents. And again, some unexpected things awaited me – I had no idea skipping rope could be so entertaining!

And with that, my weekend ended. Luckily, there are more weekends to come! If you guys still have some free weekends in October/November, consider visiting one of the many national parks. Yosemite is a must-do, but the lesser-known Sequoia and Kings Canyon national parks are also fantastic – some pictures I took on a trip there a couple of weeks ago are below.

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That’s it for now! I wish you all good luck with any upcoming midterms and hope you enjoy California and of course ihouse, our cultural playground, full of the unexpected.

Tot ziens!
Koen

Posted in Life at I-House | Tagged , | 3 Comments

Great California ShakeOut: Oct. 16, 2014

Posted on October 14, 2014 by Laurie Ferris

Sharing an important message about an earthquake drill that UC Berkeley participates in:

Dear Campus Community,

On Thursday, October 16, the campus will participate in the “Great California ShakeOut,” a day of special events organized to inspire Californians to get ready for major earthquakes, and to prevent disasters from becoming catastrophes. The ShakeOut drill will occur in homes, businesses, and public spaces alike throughout California.

ShakeOut CA Get ReadyCampus ShakeOut Drill
On October 16 at 10:16 a.m., the campus warning sirens – designed to signal a “shelter-in-place” condition – will sound and, if convenient, we encourage you to practice getting under your desk and holding tight (drop, cover, and hold on). We are not asking instructors or students in class to participate in this way.

To further help the campus community prepare for disasters, the Office of Emergency Management (OEM) will use ShakeOut day to practice other key aspects of campus emergency response and evacuation procedures.

  • Sproul Hall Occupants – At 10:16 a.m., Sproul Hall occupants will join the rest of the campus in practicing “drop, cover, and hold on,” and then evacuate their building to test building emergency procedures, including departmental roll call.
  • Building Coordinators and Emergency Management Area Coordinators – OEM will also facilitate a test of radio communication between campus Building Coordinators and Emergency Management Area Coordinators. This is a key component of the campus response and will strengthen our ability to effectively and efficiently facilitate a campus-wide evacuation, should that need ever arise.

I encourage you to use ShakeOut day to enhance your preparedness for any type of emergency. OEM has created a free emergency preparedness mobile app that contains Berkeley-specific tips and guidance for a wide range of scenarios, including earthquakes, power outages, suspicious packages and other situations. Please visit oem.berkeley.edu for download instructions and access to further details regarding campus emergency procedures and resources. I also encourage you to sign-up for WarnMe text alerts via the WarnMe website. Text messages are the fastest way to get notified and should be your first alert priority.

For more information and resources abut events on October 16, visit the ShakeOut website http://www.shakeout.org/california/.

For questions, please contact the Office of Emergency Management at oem@berkeley.edu.

Sincerely,

Mark Freiberg, CIH, CSP
Executive Director
Environment, Health & Safety, and Emergency Management

________________________________

View International House safety resources at:
http://ihouse.berkeley.edu/safety/

 

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Oct 13 – 19 Menu + BBQ Lunch & Dinner today!

Posted on October 13, 2014 by Laurie Ferris

Enjoy a variety of international cuisines for breakfast, lunch and dinner in the I-House Dining Commons on the 2nd floor.

Oct 13-19 Menu

View weekly menu at: http://ihouse.berkeley.edu/dining/menu.php

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Let’s go to the Zombie East Bay Bike Party

Posted on October 9, 2014 by Joël Thai

Bonjour !

Do you want go to the biggest party of the weekend and celebrate Halloween early? If yes, you are in luck, because tomorrow, 10/10, there is the Zombie East Bay Bike Party and it is 100% fun!

The Zombie East Bay Bike Party starts at a Bart station

The Zombie East Bay Bike Party starts at a Bart station

So what is the East Bay Bike Party? It is a moving bike party around East Bay that takes place the second Friday of every month. Hundreds of people meet at a BART station and follow a predefined route around the East Bay, which has a couple convenient rest party stops. Who says party says music and lights, right? Fortunately, there are many people who are very creative and mount speakers on their bike to blast music in the streets. By the way, I recommend biking close to a DJ, and if you don’t like the music you can always bike faster/slower to get to another DJ. Plus, people pimp up their bikes with lights, going from simple light wires to spinning disco balls! There is no limit to creativity (and how heavy your bike becomes).

Party Stop

Party Stop

In addition, each East Bay Bike Party is different as they all have a theme, to spice up the event a little more. Previous themes included Alien, pirates, ninjas, superhero, Mario, skirt, 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s, carnival… but October is always the Zombie theme! From my experience the Zombie East Bay Bike Party is the biggest party of the year, and seeing a horde of zombies on two wheels and dancing is quite amazing.

So, how do you attend this East Bay Bike Party? Go to the meeting point which is at West Oakland BART at 7:30pm. The event is completely free and open to everyone, yes everyone, there will be people from all kind of backgrounds, but sharing the same envy to have a great time!

Zombie!...

Zombie!…

What does one need to go to the Zombie East Bay Bike Party? You just need a bike, any bike will do the job as it is a cruise (understand it is not a race), and the organizers do their best to plan a flat route. By the way, there will be volunteers at turns to tell you where to turn, but really, just follow the crowd.

Tip: Bring a lock and some snacks/drinks!

Bonus tip: here is the EBBP song!
Stay right
Stop at lights
Ride straight
Don’t hate
Pack your trash
Don’t get smashed

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Close Encounters of a Cross Cultural Kind at I-House with Joe Lurie

Posted on October 8, 2014 by Laurel Anderson Malinovsky
Joe Lurie

Joe Lurie

Astonishing Tales about the I-House Building and its Extraordinary Mix of Residents Over Eight Decades

It would be very challenging to find someone who knows more about I-House or a better story teller than Joe Lurie. Joe was the Executive Director of I-House for more than 19 years, so you don’t want to miss this evening of eye-popping  stories about the construction and design of I-House and the cultural mine fields and mind openers of its residents.  Many residents have found everything from lunch to laundry and love affairs to be a close encounter of a cross-cultural kind. Residents and alumni can join in with their cultural encounters, puzzles, discoveries and questions.

This event is FREE and open to the public  on Thursday, October 9 at 7:30 pm in the I-House Home Room. Please RSVP at: https://joelurieihouseoct9.eventbrite.com

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