News – International House

I-House New York Congratulates the International House Association

Written by International House on January 23, 2026. Posted in Announcements, News.

In October, a consortium of global International Houses announced the launch of a new International House Association (IHA), a nonprofit focused on advancing peacebuilding, global citizenship, and intercultural leadership. Current IHA membership includes representation from the International Houses at UC Berkeley and the University of Chicago, International House of Japan, and International Students House (ISH) in London. I-House New York is not a member of IHA at this time, as we are still evaluating how IHA complements the existing consortium, International Houses Worldwide (IHWW)....

The New Creative Economy: A Talk with Jorge de los Santos ’01

Written by International House on December 12, 2025. Posted in Alumni News, Events, News.

How can founders, freelancers, and influencers stay ahead in today’s creative economy? Move fast, build trust in public, and stop letting perfection get in the way of progress. On December 4, residents gathered in the Home Room to discuss the business of creativity with I-House alumnus Jorge de los Santos ’01. De Los Santos is co-founder, president, and CEO of Global Media Review, a social media company that supports influencers, journalists, and publishers, and of Sky Blue International, a cross-border technology and investment advisory firm. The event, titled “The Business of...

I-House Welcomes Vreni Hommes ’89 and Gautam Shirhattikar ’05 to the Board of Trustees

Written by International House on December 4, 2025. Posted in Alumni News, Announcements, News.

At its October 29 meeting, the International House Board of Trustees elected alumni Vreni Hommes ’89 and Gautam Shirhattikar ’05 as its newest members. “We are thrilled to welcome two accomplished alumni to the Board of Trustees,” said Sebastian Fries, President & CEO. “Vreni and Gautam are passionate about our I-House community and deeply committed to our future success. Each brings a unique blend of experience and insight to the Board. We are incredibly grateful for their partnership and strategic expertise as we prepare for I-House’s second century.” Hommes rejoins the board...

I-House & The Council on Foreign Relations Host a Conversation with Dr. Mariko Silver

Written by International House on November 24, 2025. Posted in Events, News.

Life at I-House teaches one lesson over and over: connections occur when we leave our comfort zones. A recent fireside chat in the Home Room reminded residents that the most meaningful relationships are built when we notice the humanity in people unlike ourselves, step forward with generosity, and make space for others to succeed. On November 18, International House partnered with the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) in welcoming Dr. Mariko Silver for a special crossover of CFR’s Lessons Learned Series and the I-House Distinguished Speaker Series. Silver is a CFR term member and...

Annual PEAR Weekend Held in Brussels

Written by International House on November 11, 2025. Posted in Alumni News, News.

Old friends gathered and new cross-generational connections formed during the 2025 Freunde/Pan European Alumni Reunion weekend held November 7–9 in Brussels, Belgium.Nearly 50 alumni and friends representing five decades of I-House traveled from Austria, France, Germany, Switzerland, the UK, and the USA to attend the three-day weekend of meetings, tours, and dinners.Belgium is one of the six founding members of the European Union, and Brussels serves as the de facto capital of the European Union as home of the European Commission, the Council of the European Union, and, along with...

I-House Hosts an Interreligious Dialogue with Union Theological Seminary

Written by International House on November 10, 2025. Posted in Events, News.

Spiritual growth rarely happens in familiar territory. A recent I-House panel emphasized that crossing religious boundaries, while uncomfortable, is essential to building understanding and spiritual health. On November 4, International House hosted faculty of the Union Theological Seminary (UTS) for a wide-ranging panel discussion on religion, identity, and interreligious understanding. UTS President Rev. Serene Jones led the discussion alongside panelists Benjamin Kamine, Assistant Teaching Professor of Interreligious Engagement; Su Yon Pak; Associate Professor of Integrative and...