Testimonials + Visitors

I lived at International House Philadelphia for 7 months and this time has been a great learning experience. If I compare myself now with who I was before moving to I-House, I see a lot of positive changes. The peaceful environment at I-House allowed me focus on my projects. The events at I-House helped me to learn about a lot of different cultures and provided me with the chance to meet new people. The management of I-House is very friendly and helpful–all of them are so nice and always available for residents. If I had to explain my stay at I-House in three words, they would be: Life, Fun, Friends.
–Apurv Gaurav, former IHP resident

I am an active fan of film, music and visual arts, and have been attending art events at International House for about twelve years. I attend at least sixty events at IHouse per year, including film and music programming as well as IHouse special events with staff and residents. I am very appreciative of the wonderful experiences that I have had at International House and will remain a devoted and participating Member. I’d like to thank and salute the staff, the administration and the Board of Directors for their steadfastness in maintaining such high quality programs. I believe that there is a very bright future for International House as a leader in the Philadelphia arts community.
–Paul Lewis, International House Member

For me, IHP has never been only a living place. It has been one of the best places to exchange cultural experiences. I can’t thank enough IHP for helping me to shape my global vision and leadership skills during my living at IHP. IHP has helped me to build my global preference through providing truly leadership in experiencing every aspect of international life. I believe that having opportunity to meet wonderful people from all over the world at IHP is advancing the great promise of world friendship and I believe that through vision and determination of IHP, many students, scholars and professionals across the world are getting the chance to be global dreamers, activists and leaders by exploring and understanding our cultures. Your dedicated efforts not only help strengthen your community and contribute to the success of the United States, but also help strengthen the global community and contribute to the success of extending peace and friendship in our world. I think, like all your alumni, I am very proud of being part of your vibrant community.
– Yilmaz Kaymak, former IHP resident

I had been considering taking Mandarin classes for the past several years, but my searches for a good language school always came up short. Other schools were either too expensive or too far away (or both!). It was only pure luck that I stumbled upon IHP’s language programs, and what a find it was! The classes are small, and so are the fees. I am currently finishing up Mandarin Part 3 with every intention of continuing on to Part 4. I am currently seeking out grad school opportunities for International Relations, and I expect the skills I’m acquiring at IHP will be useful to me in the future.
– Anna Kowalik, language student

Learning Mandarin at IHouse has been an amazing experience for me. The lesson is rich in content, high in quality and yet the cost is very reasonable. Our teachers have been extremely patient and yet encouraging, and they always try their best to help the students understand the language which is very different from our mother tongues. For me, relatively new to Philadelphia, taking this Mandarin class turned out to be a great opportunity to meet and get to know some wonderful local people, my four other classmates. So I look forward to every lesson and I truly enjoy the conversation with my teachers and my classmates.
– Mahoka Hikita, language student

Distinguished Visitors:

Ambassador Series

Zeid Ra’ad Zeid Al-Hussein, Ambassador of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan to the United States
His Excellency Karim Kawar, Ambassador of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan to the United States and Mexico
Soemadi D.M. Brotodiningrat, Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia, Indonesian Festival Film Series
Said Tayeb Jawd, Ambassador of Afghanistan to the United States with Mrs. Shamin Jawad, The Current Healthcare Situation in Afghanistan
H.E. Dr. Martin Palous, Ambassador of Czech Republic to the United States, Citizen Photography Exhibit
His Excellency Kanat B. Saudabayev, Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the United States, Journey Along the Silk Road Film Festival

Culture @

Marcus Samuelsson, Chef/Co-owner of AQUAVIT New York, A Discover of Foods and Flavors

Film @

John Sayles, Director, Honeydripper Film Screening
Mira Nair, Director, Between Two Worlds
Albert Maysles, Director, 5 Films about Christo + Jeanne – Claude
Ousmane Sembene, director, African Art, African Voices Film Series – presenting his new film, Moolaade

Learn @

Ambassador Ibrahim Gambari, Under-Secretary General for Political Affairs of the United Nations, The African Economy Today
Lt. General (Ret.) Romeo Dallaire, commander of UN forces in Rwanda, The Responsibility to Protect – The Failure of Humanity in Preventing Genocide
William F. Schulz, past president of Amnesty International, Overcoming Cruelty: What Torture Has Taught Me
David Zucchino, Pulitzer – Prize winning journalist, Real Life Stories from the Front Line
Amiri Baraka, African – American literary figure, Remembering Malcolm
Richard Holbrooke, former U.S. Ambassador to the UN + current President & CEO of the Global Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS, Symbols of China Cultural Festival, Business Unites Against AIDS in China
Jim Rogers, Adventure Capitalist, World Economic Lecture Series
Stephanie Odegard, Weaving together Art, Business + Social Activism, World Economic Lecture Series
Audrey Konstantinovich Ushmanov, Council General of Russian Federation, Russian Mosaica Reception

World Leaders

Their Royal Highnesses Prince Charles, Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall, Roundtable discussion and Suite Tour
His Royal Highness The Duke of Gloucester, Architecture and Community Reception at The Philadelphia Cathedral
Vaclav Haval, Dissident, former President of Czech Republic, Citizen Photography Exhibit
Peter A. Rafaeli, Honorary Consul General of the Czech Republic, Citizen Photography Exhibit