The I-House Connection: August 2024

August 8, 2024

Shaun R. Carver, I-House Executive Director

Dear I-House Community,

I am delighted to invite you to join us for the All Years Alumni Reunion Brunch on Sunday, August 18, at 9:30 a.m. This special event marks our 94th birthday and promises to be a wonderful opportunity to reconnect, celebrate, and hear exciting updates about our beloved I-House. Enjoy a delicious brunch, tours, and an update on the latest happenings at I-House.

In this issue, I am proud to introduce you to our new and returning Board members as well as the remarkable 2024-2025 Gateway Fellows who will be arriving to I-House in just a couple of weeks. Also, in this issue, I am thrilled to announce the relaunch of the I-House Host Family Program. This is a special opportunity for local I-House alumni and friends to get to know one or more of our current residents and stay connected to I-House.

International House at UC Berkeley officially opened on August 18, 1930. The world has changed drastically since then, yet I-House is more relevant than ever. The ability to understand other cultures—and one's own culture through another’s perspective—is crucial to meeting the challenges of today’s interconnected/interdependent world. Consider sharing a favorite I-House memory or making a gift in honor of the work and mission of this venerable institution.

I look forward to celebrating with you and sharing the exciting future of International House.

Sincerely,

Shaun Carver, I-House Executive Director

Shaun R. Carver Ed.D., MBA
Executive Director and CEO
International House at UC Berkeley

All Years Alumni Reunion Brunch – Join us!

Leran Zhao and Erica Ottolini wearing I-House alumni hats

Join us for an All Years Alumni Reunion Brunch on Sunday, August 18th, I-House's 94th birthday! This is a fun opportunity to gather with old friends and meet I-House alumni from across the decades. Enjoy a special Sunday brunch prepared by our award-winning executive chef Abigail Serbins and her stellar dining team. Brunch will be served from 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., but if you’d like to hear the I-House update, please plan to arrive to the Dining Commons by 11:30 a.m.

To help us plan, please register by August 10th at: ihouse.berkeley.edu/reunion
Registered alumni will receive a special Alumni hat. We hope you’ll wear it with pride!

IH Alumni Leran Zhao and Erica Ottolini
wearing I-House alumni hats

Introducing New and Returning I-House Board Members

We are excited to welcome a new vice chair and four directors to the I-House Board of Directors: UC Berkeley Vice Chancellor Marc Fisher, Laura Hassner, Will Cazalet, Tad Allen, and Jawahar Gidwani (returning after a year away). All of these individuals share a commitment to the I-House mission and bring valuable experience and skills to our Board.

Introducing the 2024-2025 Gateway Fellows!

In collaboration with the UC Berkeley Graduate Division, International House offers Gateway Fellowships, providing academic year awards to graduate students at UC Berkeley. Award recipients receive a full academic year of single-occupancy room and board at International House, tuition and fees covered by their academic department, along with a $5,000 stipend from the University of California Graduate Division. To qualify for this award, applicants must be admitted to UC Berkeley for the upcoming academic year, be able to reside in a single-occupancy room at International House, and be nominated by their academic department. For more information, visit ihouse.berkeley.edu/gateway.

International House Host Family Program Relaunches in Fall 2024

Through the I-House Host Family Program, local “hosts” volunteer to connect with international residents of I-House to welcome and introduce them to the Bay Area and to help build social connections. In past years, hosts have been instrumental in providing positive experiences for residents of I-House. The program has been invaluable to hosts as well, providing an opportunity to create meaningful relationships with students and scholars from across the world. If you are interested in signing up to host an international student or scholar at I-House, please let us know by completing this form. Learn more at ihouse.berkeley.edu/hostfamily

Savor the Cuisines of the World:
I-House Meal Plans Now Available to the Public

It’s no surprise that International House has the best food on campus. Our award-winning executive chef Abigail Serbins has competed on Chopped and the Food Network, and yet she manages to make I-House residents feel the comforts of home. For a limited time, we are selling non-resident meal plans in blocks of 30, 50, or 100 meals. Consider taking advantage of this offer before we reach capacity. Meal Plans expire at the end of the academic year on May 16, 2025. See I-House Meal Plan for details. For questions, email dining@ihouseberkeley.org.

We look forward to seeing you in the Dining Commons!

Dining Commons

Be sure to check our Calendar of Community Events to find out what's happening at I-House! 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.

I-House logo Tenth Decade