The I-House Connection: November 2025

Residents holding South Korea Flag at the DIversiTEA & Coffee Hour

November 14, 2025

Shaun R. Carver, I-House Executive Director

Dear I-House Community,

Every Wednesday night this semester, something special happens at I-House. Residents gather for DiversiTEA & Coffee Hour, a tradition that dates to the 1970s when resident leaders helped launch evening gatherings to break down cliques and build genuine connections across cultures.

The concept was simple then, and it remains powerful today: bring people together, share food, share cultures, and discover what connects us.

This semester, we’re celebrating 12 different countries and regions. Resident committees plan each event, bringing their cultures to life through snacks and drinks, along with traditional dances and games.

We’ve had some incredible moments this fall. Residents competed in steinholding at our German Oktoberfest party. Spain’s gathering featured classical guitar music, singing, and dancing on Heller Patio. Our Diwali event showcased traditional dance performances that celebrated the Festival of Lights. And yes, residents hosted our own version of Squid Game for South Korea night, complete with Korean children’s games that brought out everyone’s competitive spirit.

It’s one of my favorite I-House traditions because it proves that understanding begins with curiosity, a shared experience, and the willingness to step into someone else’s world.

Take a look at this semester's celebrations on our Instagram: instagram.com/ihouseberkeley

Thanks for staying connected to I-House.

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

Shahriar Emami, pictured 2nd from right, enjoying an event with some of his I-House friends

Finding Community During Crisis

Shahriar Emami (IH 1979-81) moved into I-House during a dramatic time in his home country’s history. Arriving at I-House shortly after the Iranian Revolution, Shahriar pursued a graduate degree in electrical engineering and computer science during a time when many Americans were unwelcoming towards Iranians. “I was lucky to be living at I-House,” he recalls, “because the community of international students and even the Americans there are very open-minded.”

I-House’s diverse community has had a lasting impact on Shahriar’s life. “Being at I-House was one of the best experiences of my life,” he explains. “The amount that you learn just by talking to people at lunch and dinner – I don’t think I’ve had that kind of experience either before or after.”

Shahriar carried out the lessons he learned at I-House throughout his nearly four-decade tech career in the Bay Area. “I-House really allowed me to see things in a lot less biased way,” he explains.

Now Shahriar gives back through donated stock — a method he believes many tech alumni overlook. “If you have worked for startups and you have IPO stock, those are usually very highly appreciated,” he notes. By donating stock directly, both the donor and I-House may benefit from significant tax advantages. “It’s almost a no-brainer to do that.”

“Living at I-House was a very good experience for me personally, and I hope I can help somebody else by donating to I-House,” Shahriar says. “It’s an icon of a place, especially for us who have lived at I-House.”

Make a Gift of Stock

Alumni News & Notes

Look Who Came to Visit!

Voruganti Sisters Light Up I‑House Diwali

I-House alumnae Harini (IH 2023‑25) and Sivani (IH 2022‑23) Voruganti returned to share their vibrant culture and dance with our community. This short video takes you behind the scenes of I‑House’s Diwali celebration to admire stunning outfits, intricate jewelry, beautiful henna, and traditional dance moves.

Watch on Instagram

Watch on YouTube

Hsiao-Dong Chiang (IH 1983), a professor at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, visited and enjoyed strolling through familiar spaces and having lunch in the Dining Commons.

Hang Out with Us!

Annual Resident Benefit Concert

Wednesday, November 19, 8 – 9:30 p.m.

Come enjoy live performances by our talented I-House residents, featuring dancers, pianists, vocalists, and even a harpist- each showcasing a piece of the cultures, experiences and artistry within our community.

Quarterly Alumni Happy Hour

Thursday, December 4, 2025 from 5 - 7 p.m.

Join us for our last Alumni Happy Hour of the year! Come connect with fellow I-House alumni and current residents for a fun, laid-back evening of good drinks and great company. We’ll have festive beverages, beer, wine, and cider, plus food available for purchase. Come relax, reconnect, and toast to another amazing year at I-House!

I-House Celebration & Awards Gala

SAVE THE DATE! March 7, 2026

International House is proud to honor members of our global community who, in their personal and professional lives, promote a world of greater justice and peace.

Learn More

Global Gatherings

Global Gatherings 3 event photos collage

Andy Yang (IH 1990-91) visited Singapore and connected with Elijah Widjaja (IH 1976), who graciously hosted former residents for a festive dinner gathering.
Last month, Shaun Carver and alumni gathered for two reunions in Spain. The Barcelona event was hosted by Manuel Garcia(IH 1995-96) and Monica Gallisteo (IH 1995-96).
The Madrid gathering was organized by the Berkeley Alumni Club in Spain and our Alumni Regional Ambassador for Spain, Mar Lasquetty (IH 2023-24), along with Claudia Cañete (IH 2023-24), and Angel Plaza Carreras (IH 2023-24).

If you are interested in planning an international I-House alumni gathering, please email alumni@ihouseberkeley.org

Share Your Update with Us

Worth a Click

Nayeli Vivanco Named one of Inspiring Workplaces’ Inspiring Leaders

See 2025 Inspiring Leaders Worldwide

US Students are Voting with Their Feet – and Global Universities are Ready

Read Shaun Carver’s Op-Ed on PIE News

Sunday Supper at International House: A Reflection on Community

We are pleased to share a new blog post, written by one of our resident leaders, Jeffrey Haoze Yuan.

How I-House Fosters Community and Creates Lifelong Friendships Through Special Dinners

In a modern society so individualized, a natural sense of community and camaraderie in one’s living space has become almost extinct. To satisfy their social needs, most people find themselves drawn to communities outside of their daily living patterns. The majority of college students living in apartments often have to go out of their way to attend student-hosted clubs, social events, and community mixers — and even then, these usually happen only once or twice a week. Since the dawn of the digital age, the reality for most college students is that they will spend most of their time by themselves; if lucky, maybe with a few close friends.

In my eyes, this sort of individualistic living is incompatible with how humans ought to live — our evolution insisted that we spend most of our waking hours with other people, enjoying community, tight-knit relationships, and constant camaraderie. While most of modern civilization now lacks these elements, International House at UC Berkeley is, in my eyes, one of the few oases in this modern desert.

Continue Reading >

Are you an I-House alum? If this article has brought back memories or feelings from your experience at International House’s Sunday Suppers, feel free to share your reflections by emailing us at alumni@ihouseberkeley.org. We look forward to hearing from you!

New LinkedIn Group for the I-House Berkeley Community

We’re excited to announce that the International House Berkeley Alumni Network has launched on LinkedIn. This new group will replace the former I‑House Berkeley Connect community, which is being retired.

Who’s Invited? All current and former I‑House Berkeley residents.
What You’ll Find: Career‑focused discussions, mentorship opportunities, event updates, and a space to celebrate the global friendships forged at I-House.
How to Join: Click the link below, request to become a member, and start networking right away.

Join the International House Berkeley Alumni Network on LinkedIn

Please help us grow our IH community on LinkedIn by inviting your I-House friends to join as well!

Let’s Keep in Touch!

Thank you for being a part of the I-House community. Consider making a gift to I-House to support our mission and invest in a better, kinder world of greater understanding.

If you've recently moved or changed careers, please let us know by replying to this email or updating your contact information in our Share your Update form. We look forward to seeing you back at I-House or at a global gathering soon!

I-House logo Tenth Decade

Topics

Executive Director Message topic page, I-House Connection topic page

The I-House Connection: November 2025

Finding Community During Crisis

Alumni News & Notes