Executive Director Message

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.

Dear I-House Community,

On Thanksgiving Day – a holiday celebrated across the United States – it’s common practice to reflect upon our blessings. Here are a few things that I am grateful for:

Harry and Florence Edmonds, the founders of the International House movement, who recognized many...

Please join us for a special I-House Lodestar Executive Speakers Series event on November 7 from 4-6 pm (Pacific): After the Vote: Insights from Women Leaders Post-US Elections. This will be a post-election discussion on the implications of the U.S. election featuring three distinguished women in politics: congressional candidate Lateefah Simon, former White House Deputy Chief of Staff Maria Echaveste, and Berkeley mayoral candidate Kate Harrison (IH 1977-79). The Lodestar Executive Director's Speaker Series is a program of the Robertson Resident Life and Intercultural Leadership Office (RIO) that aims to bring our community together for dialogue that sparks curiosity, inspiration, and intercultural understanding. The program is open to current I-House residents, alumni, and the greater community. Please note that this event is a neutral platform for discussion; hosting does not imply endorsement of any candidate, nor do the views expressed by either candidate reflect an endorsement of the other.

In this issue, a message from Shaun Carver; Ways to support I-House for Big Give and beyond; Reopening Update; Notable Alumnae; Joe Lurie Spotlight