News

Please be advised that due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Board of Directors has announced the suspension of I-House operations temporarily for the fall academic semester and potentially for the remainder of the 2020-21 academic year. Until the end of the summer term, I-House residential, dining, programs, and hospitality services have been modified in accordance with public health in mind, and there are necessary restrictions to the usual service offering. Please review updated information on guidelines for health, safety, and services at the Temporary Closure & COVID-19 FAQ.

Using Our Voices in Service of Positive Social Change

In this issue: Message from the Executive Director; Go Bears, Beat Finals; Alumni Rise to Meet Challenges; Messages to Residents; I-House Virtual Backgrounds

Through these uncertain times, we want to wish you and your family health and wellness. We would also like to share some insights from the Robertson Center for Intercultural Leadership (CIL) for personal reflection during this historic crisis.

Dear Friends,

Nobody has been left untouched by the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to the harm being wrought by the disease itself, and the “downstream” impacts of the disease, all of us, every moment, are managing an elevated level of stress, anxiety, and fear. Being a human right now is harder than it usually is. 

“People learn so much from one another in this building,” Giesecke says. “You have people who are in political science learning from the electrical engineers, and you have people in gender studies learning from people in chemistry. It goes across cultures; it goes across departments.”

The time has finally come for Cal Big Give 2020! We love our I-House community and want to keep it strong and growing! Donate today to help current and future residents experience the joy of living at I-House Berkeley! Watch the video below to see how you can show support! Giving ends at 9pm (PST)! Make your gift at http://ihouse.berkeley.edu/biggive2020

I-House is buzzing with excitement about UC Berkeley's Big Give, starting on Wednesday, March 11 at 9 p.m. We are grateful for all of your support throughout the year and wish to thank you in advance for considering taking part in this annual all-campus fundraising drive. We want to give you some ways you can participate through early bird giving and planning for contests.

This episode features International House resident Jiger Kairatuly. Jiger invites us into his homeland, Kazakhstan, which remains today a place of intrigue to many. Join us as we learn more about a land synonymous with the Silk Road, nomadic lifestyles, and the Soviet Union. See all episodes at: https://ihouse.berkeley.edu/resident-life/signature-programs/all-corners

All I-House Big Give donations go toward the Fund for I-House, which supports our mission and provides the I-House experience to more than 600 students from across the globe each academic year. Earlybird Giving You can make your Big Give gift now and be an I-House VIP by using the special instructions below at http://ihouse.berkeley.edu/biggive

We wanted to share with you all a wonderful article written about International House Dining Services, published in the February 2020 issue of Foodservice Director Magazine. Read the two-page article, "When the World Comes to Dine" featured on pages 48-49.

The I-House Gateway Fellowship Program for 2020-21 is now accepting nominations from UCB Graduate Advisers for admitted Ph.D. students. With appreciation to I-House alumni and donors, I-House partners with the graduate division and connected academic departments to seek "best match" Ph.D. students.

The collective impact of countless friendships, conversations, laughter, and cherished memories have forever shaped the aura of I-House. Your generosity provides support for room and board scholarships for students with financial need, for the preservation of our historic home, and for innovative program offerings.

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

For nine decades, I-House Berkeley has opened minds and broadened perspectives to prepare the next generations of leaders from around the world. Today, the ideals of I-House are more important than ever. If you have already made a gift recently, we sincerely thank you. If not, we hope that you will consider supporting I-House and will make a gift now during our annual appeal to help future residents have this singular opportunity to enjoy such a life-changing experience.