Spring Break
International House takes SJSU around the world in two blocks
Ralph Warner
Issue date: 4/6/09 Section: Features
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Located just east of campus on 11th Street, the I-House was founded in 1978 when it was donated by Alan and Phyllis Simpkins.
Leann Cherkasky Makhni said SJSU was the first California State University campus to have an international house.
"We're really fortunate that it's been established," said Cherkasky Makhni, who has been the director of the I-House for 18 years. "Since I've been here we've had students from over 90 countries living at the (I-House)."
The I-House is currently home to 72 residents from 29 different countries including Armenia, Italy, India, Brazil and Denmark, according to the I-House Web site.
Kristen Pendleton, the community operations manager for the I-House, said the goal of staff members is to make residents from different backgrounds comfortable and establish a family atmosphere. Coffee nights are social gatherings held every Tuesday at 9 that are open to residents and guests to promote discussion and cultural exchange.
"We also have themed dinners," Pendleton said. "We had a really nice Indian one a few weeks ago where all the Indian students made dinner and did music and entertainment. It was fantastic."
Arash Motamedi, a software engineering graduate student from Iran who said he previously lived in Campus Village Building B, said moving into the I-House has given him the chance to share his cultural traditions while learning from others.
"The cool thing is that when you have people from more than 30 different countries, it's a good opportunity to represent your own culture, but at the same time absorb the culture of others in the house," said Motamedi, who is also a former president of the I-House student council. "For example, I have been trying to do my own share. I have cooked Persian food sometimes for people and I have also enjoyed the food of those from different countries."
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