U.S. President-elect Joe Biden unveiled his economic team on Monday, November 30, tapping Janet Louise Yellen, former chairwoman of the Federal Reserve, to lead the Treasury Department. Poster, 2016 / I-House Archives In 2016, International House had the distinct pleasure of hosting Yellen in “When the Federal Reserve Speaks…The World Listens.” The event was a live panel discussion where former Chairs Alan Greenspan, Paul Volcker, and Ben Bernanke joined then current Chair Janet Yellen. The panel was moderated by CNN international affairs expert and I-House Trustee Fareed...

Following the Annual International House NY Alumni Reunion held in September 2020, two overseas Alumni chapters in Europe and the UK hosted smaller events that once again brought together Alumni from across the global community. A scene from the Freunde Annual Meeting 2020 On November 8th, the German-based Freunde des International House (Freunde) chapter hosted its annual General Meeting. As an independent organization, Freunde serves the pan-European I-House NY Alumni and manages a distinct membership association within the global Alumni community. Hosting the event were the current...

Approximately a third of International House Residents come from across the United States. This is by design, as the founders envisioned I-House as a vehicle not only for more American students to learn about other global cultures, but also for international students to learn about the diversity and complexity of the American experience, including native perspectives. One Resident who has been raising awareness and making the most of his time here is Franklyn Tranquilino Telles, a high school Earth Sciences teacher of Apache and El Salvadoran descent who came to us through his studies with...

Fall Fiesta, 1965 / I-House Archives Normally around this time, International House would present Fall Fiesta in Davis Hall, a time-honored tradition we had to suspend this year due to the pandemic. Through performance and dance, Fall Fiesta showcases and celebrates the diverse backgrounds of I-House residents. The event originated with Program Director Herman Rottenberg, affectionately referred to as “HR.” An energetic former businessman, HR devoted his life to promoting cultural understanding and friendship through dance and music. HR debuted Fall Fiesta in the Fall of 1964...

Resident registration card, 1935 / I-House Archives Founded in 1924, International House has had the pleasure to be the home to many individuals of various backgrounds, including American and global Indigenous Peoples. With over 5,000 different groups, in 90 countries worldwide, the Indigenous are a distinct population of people that comprise 6.2% of the world’s population. Indigenous communities often feature unique languages, distinct sets of cultural practices, and a deep connection to the natural world. While incredibly diverse, Indigenous Peoples share the common experience of...

At the start of each year, International House NY holds an Orientation Night to welcome Residents as they arrive from all over the world to study or train in their respective disciplines. While the pandemic ruled out such an evening for the 2020 cohort, a Welcome Picnic held on Saturday, October 3rd, provided a wonderful opportunity for these new community members to take a break from their studies and meet their fellow Residents from different places. Despite the difference in venue, the number-one question between participants was still, as always, “Where are you from?” ...