I-House Connection

The I-House Connection: June 2025

June 12, 2025
Shaun R. Carver, I-House Executive Director
The past month has been eventful for International House with news about the ban on international students at Harvard and the delay in interviews for student visas. These actions have created uncertainty, fear and confusion for international students across campuses nationwide. I see the toll this is taking on international students here at UC Berkeley and across campuses nationwide. These students are not only learners, but also researchers, entrepreneurs, and future leaders. Ensuring international students feel welcome and supported is not just good policy — it's essential for strengthening our communities and maintaining America's leadership in research and education. Welcoming and supporting international students is at the core of I-House's mission. Our team is working hard this summer, preparing to welcome our new residents for the coming academic year. We stay committed to ensuring international students always have a home at I-House.

The I-House Connection: May 2025

May 8, 2025
Shaun R. Carver, I-House Executive Director
Now is the time of year at I-House when the joyful energy of graduation and new beginnings is mixed with bittersweet feelings of departure and change. This year, we are also aware of the added challenges many I-House residents are facing due to recent policy decisions by the shifting landscape of international education. Please know that I-House remains committed to fostering a supportive, inclusive community for all our residents.

The I-House Connection: October 2022

October 20, 2022
Shaun R. Carver, I-House Executive Director
In this issue: The I-House Connection: Spring Housing Application; Meet the PAs; Discover Cal NY; Thanks and Farewell to Tim Lynch

The I-House Connection: August 2021

August 12, 2021
Shaun R. Carver, I-House Executive Director
Read Executive Director Shaun Carver's news from I-House Berkeley. In this issue: Anniversary Reflections; Dining Commons News; Resident Support Services; Job Opportunities

The I-House Connection: April 2025

April 10, 2025
Shaun R. Carver, I-House Executive Director
Explore how International House Berkeley continues to champion global understanding and intercultural leadership in today's complex world. - Executive Director Shaun Carver featured in Forbes, sharing insights on the importance of supporting international students in U.S. higher education. - VP Nayeli Vivanco speaks at SXSW EDU, highlighting the role of free speech and giving everyone a voice in polarized times. - Discover recent I-House events, alumni updates, and new additions to our swag store! Read the full newsletter

The I-House Connection: March 2025

March 11, 2025
Shaun R. Carver, I-House Executive Director
Sunday was the International House Awards Celebration and Gala, and I’m still feeling buoyed by the celebration, the camaraderie, and the beautiful reminder of what I-House is all about. We were honored to share this festive occasion with Rich Lyons, the new Honorary Chairman of the Board for I-House, and many I-House alumni, friends, and residents for this special event. Once again, my heartfelt congratulations to our distinguished awardees: Markos Kounalakis (IH 1977-78), The University Section Club, and Excellence Anurika Joshua (IH 2023-24). ...

The I-House Connection: January 2025

January 9, 2025
Shaun R. Carver, I-House Executive Director
I hope your new year is off to a great start! One of our resolutions this year at I-House is to continue to grow and strengthen connections among our alumni worldwide through the development of I-House alumni clubs. If you would like to help with this effort by serving as an alumni ambassador in your region of the world, please let us know by sending an email to alumni@ihouseberkeley.org. Next week, I'll be in Northern India and look forward to meeting alumni at events in New Delhi – details are below. Please join us if you can and help spread the word to other I-House alumni in that region!

The I-House Connection: February 2025

February 13, 2025
Shaun R. Carver, I-House Executive Director
In this issue: Alumni Spotlight: Markos Kounalakis; Lodestar Speaker Series on AI; Gala Celebration; IH Gathering in NYC; and more!

The I-House Connection: October 2024

October 10, 2024
Shaun R. Carver, I-House Executive Director
The I-House Connection: October 2024

The I-House Connection: December 2024

December 11, 2024
Shaun R. Carver, I-House Executive Director
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.