The I-House Connection: December 2024

December 11, 2024

Dear I-House Community,

As 2024 winds down, I want to take a moment to thank you for all of the ways you have been part of our I-House community this year. Whether you made a gift of financial support, attended an I-House alumni gathering, or simply continued to carry forth our mission in your own corner of the world - it all matters, and it's what makes our global community so special. 

I am proud to share the results of our recent I-House survey on free speech, which reveals a remarkable sentiment among our resident community. At a time when many college campuses across the U.S. are grappling with issues surrounding free expression, I-House stands out as a beacon of open dialogue and mutual respect.

On a related note, I was recently featured on the Enrollify Podcast to discuss building a better experience for internatiots in the U.S. Listen here for insights into the challenges and opportunities in supporting this community.

I was truly inspired by the generosity shown by our community members who gave to I-House last week on "Giving Tuesday." If you haven’t had a chance to give yet this year and would like to, here's a link to our online giving page. And if you've already made a gift of support, thank you! Your generosity helps support scholarships, intercultural programming, and the upkeep of beautiful I-House. 

And indeed, the beauty of I-House and our community has been on full display in recent weeks. We've celebrated with a resident benefit concert, a traditional I-House Sunday Supper, and our quarterly I-House Alumni Happy Hour at which we welcomed alumni from decades ago along with some of our newest alumni. Keep reading to see a list of some upcoming I-House gatherings in Taiwan, India, and back here in Berkeley. 

This month we continue to celebrate the remarkable contributions of I-House alumni around the world. We are happy to spotlight Jan Egeland (IH 1983) for his humanitarian work and Zahwa Amad (IH 1982–86) for her scientific research in HIV/AIDS. Their legacies are a testament to the values we share as an I-House community.

Finally, if you're looking for a fun holiday gift visit the I-House Swag Shop, where you'll find cozy apparel, stylish accessories, practical items and more.

Warm regards,

Shaun Carver, I-House Executive Director

Shaun R. Carver Ed.D., MBA 
Executive Director and CEO
International House at UC Berkeley
linkedin.com/in/shauncarver

Ways to Give: Year End Gifts!

 Mark Your  Calendars!

Events at I-House Berkeley

Quarterly Alumni Happy Hour: February 13, 2025, 5-7 p.m. Register here.

I-House Celebration & Awards Gala: March 9, 2025, 5 - 9 p.m. More details here.

International Culture Festival: April 26, 2025

I-House Alumni Reunion Brunch: August 10, 2025

See more events on our Alumni Events & Reunions page

Global I-House Alumni Gatherings

While we always love it when alumni come back to Berkeley and hope you’ll come by I-House whenever you’re in town, we also love to hear about the gatherings of I-House alumni that continue to take place around the world. If you are interested in planning an international I-House alumni gathering, please email alumni@ihouseberkeley.org.

I-House Alumni Holiday Gathering in Taiwan
December 22, 2024, 2 p.m. (TST) Taipei Standard Time Register here.

Panel Discussion: India – US Relations Under the New U.S. President
Join Shaun Carver in New Delhi, India at events co-hosted by I-House Chicago.
January 14, 2025, 7 p.m. (IST) Indian Standard Time Register here.

I-House Alumni Gathering in New Delhi with Shaun Carver
January 15, 2025, 6 – 8 p.m. (IST) Register here.


Alumni Spotlight Header graphic

We would like to acknowledge the significant contributions of our esteemed alumni, whose dedication to the I-House mission has been evident throughout their careers. This month, we spotlight Jan Egeland (IH 1983) and Zahwa Amad (IH 1982–86). Click their photos below to learn more about their work. 

 “Every single day led to new friendships with engaging students and scholars from all over the world. My year as a Fulbright fellow at Berkeley, living in I-House, was my most liberating, happiest and social year ever.”

 Because of I-House, I did not feel homesick as I was with a network of supportive staff and friends. That allowed me to excel in academics and get my master’s and Ph.D. at Cal. I made lifelong friends and (gained) a


Learn more about them at 
ihouse.berkeley.edu/alumni


Creating Community Through Harmony: The Power of Music at I-House Berkeley

By Harini Voruganti

one resident at piano and two playing stringed instruments

December marks the start of the holiday season across a variety of cultures and is brimming with diverse cultural traditions across the world. Whether it is Christmas caroling, drumming circles at Kwanzaa celebrations, or Chinese New Year Gong Xi, music is an integral part of the holiday season and brings communities together during this festive time of year. At I-House, residents from over 80 countries come together to celebrate each others’ cultural holiday musical traditions.
Read full blog post


Swag Store cap featuredCheck out our new swag store 

Visit the I-House Swag Shop to get all you need for the holidays or your next alumni gathering. Perfect for alumni, residents, and friends of I-House, our swag helps you bring the spirit of international fellowship wherever you go. Explore the collection and find your new favorite piece at ihouse.berkeley.edu/shop.

If you've recently moved or changed careers, please let us know at alumni@ihouseberkeley.org or update your profile and contact information in I-House Berkeley Connect. We're always excited to hear about your latest adventures. And if you have any questions or concerns, don't hesitate to reach out. We're here to support you in any way we can.