Christmas came early to International House in December 2021 when Ayanna Witter-Johnson ’11 stopped by for a visit while she was in New York to perform as Guest Artist with Andrea Bocelli as part of the Italian tenor’s “Believe” North American tour. The UK-based singer/cellist/composer met with I-House President Sebastian Fries, staff and residents during her visit on December 14, which included nostalgic stops by the Dining Hall, the Home Room, and Davis Hall, where she once performed, as well as the resident floor where she lived while pursuing her Masters...

When International House reopened its South Building to Residents in August 2021, it did so with strict protocols for ensuring the safety of its community living and working in the House. Measures included the decision to open at a reduced occupancy level and welcome fewer residents into its community, which numbers 700 individuals from all over the world in a typical year. This decision was made not only to ensure plenty of space between residents’ quarters but also to set aside rooms as a safe zone for residents required to isolate prior to re-joining our community. We had a chance...

(Pictured above: Residents in Davis Hall learn from Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for the United Nations Secretary General, and Commissioner Penny Abeywardena of The New York City Mayor’s Office of International Affairs, about current initiatives advancing the Global Sustainable Development Goals.) Each year, International House welcomes to its community hundreds of exceptional scholars from all over the world and offers them a variety of cultural and academic programming designed to create connection, spark inspiration, and nurture innovation in these developing leaders. Residents have...

After a year off during the pandemic year of 2020, I-House Day – the longtime tradition in which alumni around the world gather to celebrate the spirit of International House – resumed in November 2021 with ten in-person and virtual gatherings taking place across the globe. Alumni in Germany blazed the trail on November 6 when Goetz Maeuser ’90 and Louise Biddell hosted a gathering at their home in Frankfurt. The group, which included alumni across several decades, enjoyed Spanish wines, tapas and paella late into the night. Gabi Trillhaas helped organize the festive...

On Friday, November 5, 2021, a group of International House Residents enjoyed a day trip to Governor’s Island, one of New York City’s treasured destinations accessible by ferry. The group met with Merritt Birnbaum, Executive Director of the Friends of Governors Island, who led them on a special walking tour to explore the Island’s unique focus on sustainability and the programs on Governors Island that are actively addressing the climate crisis. The group also had an opportunity to participate in a hands-on stewardship activity. Highlights of the visit included: 1. The...

Vinod Busjeet ’74, author of the novel Silent Winds, Dry Seas, returned to International House on September 21, 2021 to kick off the year’s “Page Turner” series of programming events for current I-House residents. Presented in a hybrid format, the conversation was held in the Home Room with residents in attendance and others tuning in to an on-site live stream. The conversation was moderated by Verlaine-Diane Soobroydoo, a NY-based author and community builder who currently serves as Director for Leadership Engagement & Partnerships with Women Political...