Executive Director Message

Dear I-House Community -

As we now celebrate the 91st Anniversary of the founding of International House at UC Berkeley, our mission is as relevant as ever: to foster intercultural respect and understanding, lifelong friendships, and leadership skills for a more just and peaceful world.

I am sure that you, our alumni, friends, and new and returning residents share with me the excitement and sense of new possibilities that accompany I-House welcoming back residents now during move-in for Fall 2021 after our sad but necessary...

In this issue, Roxanne Pifer, Director of Admissions and Housing Operations, provides an update on the application process for new and returning residents. Also in this issue is an invitation to participate in the inaugural Global DEI Practitioner Institute organized by the Robertson Center for Intercultural Leadership (CIL). I’d like to invite and encourage you to watch the next installment of our I-House Spotlight oral history interview series, featuring the third I-House Executive Director Joe Lurie, details below. Finally, this issue includes a “save the date” notice about Big Give this year focused on supporting our reopening efforts. Please visit the I-House Berkeley Global Community platform for some fun posts I’ll be making tomorrow and Sunday about Lunar New Year 2021, and in honor of Valentine’s Day and the many I-House couples who found one another under the Dome!

In this issue of the I-House Connection, I would like to invite you to share any comments, suggestions, or concerns as we work to reopen the House safely, which we hope and anticipate will be in Fall 2021. Please take a few moments to participate in the short Reopening Survey, linked below. The purpose of this survey is to request your feedback and thoughts as we plan for the reopening of I-House following our temporary closure due to the pandemic. Thank you for participating as we strive to keep the I-House dream alive.

This first issue of the International House Times Newsletter during my tenure as Executive Director highlights the remarkable resilience of the I-House global community during these challenging times. I welcome you to enjoy reading about some of the recent happenings, to reflect on our relaunch ahead, and to reconnect and reminisce about the magic of I-House.