A Night Full of Music: The Resident Benefit Concert

Posted on April 6, 2023 by bhawnachowdhary

At 7:00 pm on a Wednesday, people hustled into the Chevron Auditorium to get a good seat for the Resident Benefit Concert. When I entered and saw some people at the back of the room with paintings, a resident told me the paintings were for auction to help the earthquake victims of Turkey and Syria. Once again, I-House kept to its purpose of bringing the different communities together and helping them through challenging times. 

The show kicked off with a jazz performance of “Misty” by the band Brown Noise.

From left: Vighnesh Nagpal, Smruthi Balasubramaniam, Kashyap Ganesan, Arogya Koirala,

The next performance was “What a Wonderful World” by Elijah Jacob and Jillian Flynn. 

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Stress Awareness Month

Posted on April 5, 2023 by Center for Intercultural Leadership and Programs (CILP)

What exactly is Stress Awareness Month?  

Stress Awareness Month is observed annually during the month of April. This month’s goal is to promote strategies for managing and reducing stress while also increasing public knowledge of the causes and consequences of stress. The Health Resource Network, a non-profit health education organization in the United States, introduced the awareness month in 1992.

The main objective of Stress Awareness Month is to motivate people to manage their stress. These lifestyle changes can include self-care activities like exercise, meditation, or therapy. Stress Awareness Month strives to enhance general well-being and lessen the damaging effects of stress on people and society.

Stress in Berkeley: what can I Do?

Like many college towns, Berkeley can be a stressful environment due to academic pressures, social expectations, and other factors. Here are some tips for dealing with stress in Berkeley:

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The Stars Aligned for I-House during Big Give 2023

Posted on March 21, 2023 by bhawnachowdhary

Big Give, the university-wide annual event, is a 24-hour fundraising blitz for all departments across campus, inviting friendly competition and philanthropy. It’s an opportunity for current and former residents to express gratitude towards I-House. The Big Give enables I-House to advance intercultural learning, provide scholarships, and maintain the historic home for future residents.

Image of star cutout with I-House dome in the center of star

This year’s theme was “Be a Shining Star,” and it was a fun way to connect with I-House as a beacon of light on the Berkeley campus and how the I-House community shines across the globe.

This year Big Give preparations started a week before the main event. Our social media ambassadors organized a photoshoot for I-House residents to spread awareness about the Big Give. Many residents participated in the photo shoot and used the Big Give Star and “Thank you” written on the blackboard for their pictures. The shoot boosted the excitement of residents for Big Give, and everyone was thrilled to kickstart the event.

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Inclusive Technology

Posted on March 13, 2023 by Center for Intercultural Leadership and Programs (CILP)

Why is it important?

Have you ever used a website or mobile app that was difficult to navigate? Maybe the text is too small, the button is hard to click on, the color is hard to see, or other confusing designs. Imagine how frustrating it can be for people with visual impairments or motor disabilities.

Inclusive Technology is about creating products accessible to everyone and improving people’s day to day experience. By making technology more inclusive and usable, we can ensure that everyone is able to succeed in their workspace, school, and everyday life. 

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Be a Shining Star for I-House During Big Give

Posted on March 8, 2023 by Rachel Kim

It’s that time of the year again…Big Give! For those of you who are new to Berkeley like I am, Big Give is a 24-hour fundraising effort that takes place every year at UC Berkeley, across all departments. For International House, it’s an annual tradition of gratitude, excitement, and fun!

It’s a time when residents, alumni, staff and friends come together to support International House and everything it stands for: intercultural respect, peace, and friendships across borders. And it’s a time when we collectively give so that current residents can enjoy more programs and future residents can have their own memorable I-House experience. 

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Women’s International Day: History and Importance Around the World

Posted on March 8, 2023 by Center for Intercultural Leadership and Programs (CILP)

What is celebrated on the 8th of March each year? 

The 8th of March is a day of action, awareness, and mobilization dedicated to the fight for women’s rights, equality, and justice. Ultimately, the goal is to create a world where all people are treated equally, regardless of their gender. 

Several events and initiatives take place around the world on this occasion, notably to: 

  • Reflect, exchange, and advocate for equality between women and men.
  • Take stock of what has been done and what remains to be done on the issue of women’s place in society. 
  • It is also an opportunity to highlight initiatives that place women at the heart of creation and their participation in social, political, and economic life!
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Recipes from the I-House Melting Pot

Posted on March 2, 2023 by Oke Iroegbu

Dear residents and friends. 

It’s time for food lovers to see another beautiful side of International House culture: recipes from residents from around the world.  I am excited to present the second chapter of the International House Cookbook! This chapter is composed of recipes from Thailand, Ethiopia, Singapore, Tunisia, Madagascar, and Reunion Island. Food is culture and these recipes represent the cultures that these residents came from. So sit back, get your apron on, and enjoy the amazing cultures of Asia and Africa portrayed as images and narratives of food.  

Cover of Chapter 2 "The International House Cookbook: A Collection of Recipes from Around the World"
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The Rise of Antisemitism

Posted on March 1, 2023 by Center for Intercultural Leadership and Programs (CILP)

Many Jews do not feel safe because of the rise of antisemitism worldwide. Indeed, antisemitic acts reached a ten-year high in 2021, according to a report released by the Jewish Agency and the World Zionist Organization. Nearly 50% of antisemitic acts occurred in Europe and almost 30% in the United States. 

Antisemitism is based on a process of essentialization common to all forms of racism. This mechanism reduces an individual to an “origin” of a presumed race or religion. Moreover, antisemitism produces the same effects as racism: contempt, discrimination, exclusion, and violence. The operational definition of antisemitism adopted by the 31 IHRA member states in 2016 defines antisemitism as a certain perception of Jews that can manifest itself in hatred towards them. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism can target Jewish and non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, community institutions and places of worship. 

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Lunar New Year at I-House

Posted on February 24, 2023 by Oke Iroegbu

I was curious to experience the Lunar New Year at I-House. So, I have spent the week preceding the Lunar New Year, anticipating, researching, and reading about it. I learned that it was the year of Rabbit. How cute! 

Image from CNN

The Lunar New Year week was colorful. Colorful in the sense that the Dining Commons and some parts of I-House were decorated with beautiful ribbons and paintings. Anyone visiting I-House would notice the decorations and atmosphere of celebrations. Predominant were the colors, red and yellow. 

A variety of  Asian dishes were prepared by Chef Abbie and her team: Crab Rangoon; Vegetarian Cream Cheese Rangoon; Vegetable Potstickers and Spring rolls; Vegan Buddha’s Delight with Tofu; Vegetable Fried Rice; Cod with Ginger Soy Scallion Sauce; Shrimp in Lobster Sauce; Crispy Five Spice Chicken; Curry Rice Noodles; Chow Mein; and Sauteed Garlic Gailan. It was a delicious feast!

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One Step After Another: My Story of Living with a Rare Health Condition

Posted on February 22, 2023 by Center for Intercultural Leadership and Programs (CILP)

Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein Anti-Body Disease. This is probably the first time you have ever come across these non-sensical string of words. However, this is what my existence pretty much revolves around. I had my first attack of this rare neurological condition nearly six years ago. The diagnosis however came a little later, after a few months, which is not uncommon within the rare diseases community. Many people go years without even receiving a proper diagnosis. The conditions are so rare that even doctors and scientists are unaware of them.

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