I - WORLD Fa l l 2 0 1 5
Newsletter for Alumni and Friends of International House Philadelphia
International House Philadelphia
ta b l e o f contents
Reasons to give thanks
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CEO Letter
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International Houses Worldwide: An International Movement
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ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: ABBAS MOLOO
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IHP WELCOME WEEK MAKES NEW RESIDENTS FEEL AT HOME
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Meet IHP’s Resident Advisors
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RESIDENT PROFILE: CHELSEA DOMBROSKIE
Reasons to Give Thanks
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Programs That Bring the World to IHP
Dear IHP Alumni,
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CLASS NOTES
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Become an IHP Alumni Ambassador
I-World Editorial Staff Founding Editor Fatih Akay IHP alumnus (Turkey, 2000s) Editors
Margarita Q. Mirkil Director of Development and Alumni Relations
Shekeya Watkins Alumni Relations Manager Senior Writer Matthew Doherty Interim Director of Communications and Marketing Graphic Designer Justin Miller
Front cover image: From left: IHP residents Gilberto Vila Arroyo (United States, Puerto Rico); sisters Aya Ouf and Nada Ouf (Egypt); and Jason Moore (United States) enjoyed the Welcome Week Dance Party on October 2, 2015. Back cover image: From left: Katharine Padulo and her husband, Louis Padulo, a member of IHP’s Board of Trustees; Margot Rowley and her husband Chandrakant R. Gupta, alumnus (India, 1950s); David C. U’Prichard, a member of the Board of Trustees; and Ludo Scheffer, Chair of the Board of Trustees and alumnus (The Netherlands, 1980s) attended Ryan Pyle: Cultural Understanding and the India Ride, on October 21, 2015.
As the New Year approaches, I find myself being thankful for many things, especially for the opportunity to serve IHP residents and alumni as President and CEO of International House Philadelphia. We are all members of a truly global community built on a foundation of cultural understanding and mutual respect. Although IHP stands on Chestnut Street in the heart of University City, its reach and influence extend far beyond Philadelphia to every corner of the world. As you will see in this edition of I-World and in the new Class Notes section, IHP alumni are making a profound difference in their communities and countries, and in various fields. It’s amazing to see so many distinguished alumni from International House, and it is gratifying to know that so many diverse, talented people made IHP their “home away from home” while pursuing their studies at neighboring institutions and programs. Over the years, I’ve found that IHP alumni have something in common, whether they’ve stayed with us for a few months or for a few years, and even though they come from as many as 100 different countries: They want to be part of a world where people of all nationalities and cultures can live in harmony and learn from each other. In a world where terrorism and violence threaten humanity, the need for organizations like International House is greater than ever. IHP is breaking down cultural barriers and fostering dialogue, and our residents and alumni are beacons lighting the path to understanding and peace. Now that is something to be thankful for, this season and always. I hope you have a happy and healthy New Year and that you stay connected with us – your IHP family! Cordially,
Tanya Steinberg
International House Philadelphia
I n t e r n at i o n a l H o u s e s W o r l d w i d e : A n I n t e r n at i o n a l M ov e m e n t When you live at International House Philadelphia, you become part of an international movement – International Houses Worldwide, a global network of 17 Houses on four continents. “IHP alumni share a strong common bond and kinship with alumni of other International Houses, and they have wonderful opportunities through International Houses Worldwide to share experiences, ideas and resources, and to make new, lasting friendships through reunions and other events,” notes Shekeya Watkins, IHP Alumni Relations Manager.
IHP Alumni and Staff Meet in Boston International Houses Worldwide hosted a complimentary reception in Boston on May 27, 2015, in conjunction with the Association of International Educators Annual Conference and Expo. International Houses Worldwide has an exhibit booth at this conference each year. IHP Chief Operating Officer Glenn Martin attended the conference and the reception, where he welcomed alumni and shared the latest news from Philadelphia. Several IHP alumni also attended the reception, including Leah Lowthorp (United States, 2000s), a College Fellow and Lecturer at Harvard University’s Folklore and Mythology program, and former IHP Resident Advisor Ertan Ergezen (Turkey, 2000s), who is a Senior Systems Engineer at Roche Diagnostics in Boston. From Left: Leah Lowthorp, Glenn Martin and Ertan Ergezen
Alums Meet in Kenya International House New York City organizes alumni events around the world to bring alumni together and celebrate the I-House spirit. On November 2, 2015, one of the I-House New York City alums organized an event in Nairobi, Kenya and graciously extended invitations to alumni of other International Houses around the globe, including IHP. An intimate group of alumni from International Houses in Berkeley, New York City and Washington, D.C. enjoyed dinner, conversation and camaraderie at the Nairobi gathering.
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IHP staff and alumni at the International Houses Worldwide All Alumni Reunion Reception in Berkeley included, from left: Margarita Q. Mirkil, Ari Yasunaga, Leah Lowthorp, Tanya Steinberg and Abbas Moloo.
All Alumni Reunion Reception in Berkeley On June 27, 2015, I-House Berkeley hosted the International Houses Worldwide All Alumni Reunion Reception. The reception was held in the University Club of the newly renovated California Memorial Stadium at the University of California, Berkeley. More than 100 alumni from several Houses met and enjoyed breathtaking views of the Golden Gate Bridge and the Bay Area. IHP President and CEO Tanya Steinberg spoke, and IHP Director of Development and Alumni Relations Margarita Q. Mirkil also attended. They both enjoyed the opportunity to meet with IHP alumni and alumni from other Houses. A number of IHP alumni attended the Berkeley All Alumni reunion, including Abbas Moloo (Kenya, 1990s), an executive in the
insurance and financial services sector who manages offices in Northern California and Hawaii for Mutual of Omaha; Tanya Storch (Former U.S.S.R., 1990s), currently Associate Professor of Religious and Classical Studies at the University of the Pacific; Leah Lowthorp (United States, 2000s), a College Fellow and Lecturer at Harvard University’s Folklore and Mythology program; and recently married former Resident Advisors Ari Yasunaga (Japan, 2010s) and Cho Kim (United States, 2010s). Joe Lurie, Executive Director Emeritus of I-House Berkeley, also attended and discussed his book, Perception and Deception: A Mind-Opening Journey Across Cultures, which has been described as “an insightful introduction to cross-cultural communication in a globalized world.” His book chronicles intercultural experiences, including those gleaned from his years managing I-House Berkeley.
International House Philadelphia
ALU M NI S P OTLI G HT: ABBAS M OLOO IHP 1996-1999, KENYA Abbas Moloo, 43, is an executive in the insurance and financial services sector, managing offices in Northern California and Hawaii for Mutual of America. He currently resides in Walnut Creek, California with his wife and two children. When he’s not working, Abbas enjoys biking and hiking on the trails near his home and pursues his other passion: charitable work.
What are your most memorable experiences at IHP?
Where are you from originally?
Did you enjoy social life at IHP?
I grew up in Mombasa, the second-largest city in Kenya. I’m from a fourth generation Indian family in Africa. Mombasa is a very diverse city in terms of culture, so it reminds me of International House in that respect.
There were many good moments. There was always a party or get-together on one floor or another, and everyone was always welcome to stop by. I loved the Christmas and New Year’s Eve parties. All of us were far away from our countries and our families, so sharing those happy moments with people from all over the world was just great.
How did you learn about International House? I had enrolled at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania and studied there for about a year before I decided to transfer to Temple University in Philadelphia, where I would go on to earn my B.A. in Risk Management & Insurance. After I enrolled at Temple, I saw an ad on campus that International House was looking for resident assistants. So I applied for a position and got a job that came with the benefit of reduced rent. I worked about 20 hours every week at IHP’s front desk. The best part was that I got to meet everybody because the front desk was the first stop when residents checked in and the last stop when they left the House. I ended up working at the front desk for three years. Tell us about your time at IHP. It was a truly wonderful experience that helped me grow. When I moved into International House, I had just lost my mother so it was a very difficult time. Living at I-House was very therapeutic and supportive. It made me feel very much at ease and at peace. I became very comfortable and met so many people from around the world. I had a lot of fun and really enjoyed my time there. I also learned so much from the people I met. Did living at IHP impact your life? Yes. It widened my horizons and provided me with a much larger view of life. International House is really a bridge-building organization, a place that brings people together. It builds the bridge to understanding people from different cultures and countries around the world, which is important because not everyone is the same.
I have so many fond memories. One year when I got to know a group of students from Uzbekistan, it seemed that every day there was something interesting or funny that happened, not to mention the feasts that we enjoyed every week.
How have you made a difference in the world since leaving International House? I founded a non-profit organization called Help Aid Africa that supports the poor and needy in East Africa by providing education, water, food and clothing. I wanted to give back to my country because there is a lot of poverty and there are many refugees and orphans, including children that have lost their parents to AIDS or starvation. Help Aid Africa has merged with UnitedWeREACH. Our new initiative is to build schools in rural areas by collaborating with Bridge International Academies. We are focused on opening schools for needy students, especially from kindergarten to fifth grade. I invite my fellow IHP alumni to learn more by visiting www.unitedwereach.org. If you could spend a day with anyone, whom would you choose? I would spend a day with an orphan child or a recent refugee migrant and make it their best day in their life. What advice would you give international students getting ready to leave IHP? Keep in touch with the friends you made at International House, and remember that simple things can change the lives of people for the better.
International House Philadelphia
IHP Candle Lighting Ceremony on September, 29, 2015
IH P W ELCO M E W EEK M AKES NE W R ESIDENTS FEEL AT HO M E International House Philadelphia recently welcomed new residents with a weeklong series of activities that introduced them to the world of possibilities at their new home – and to each other. “Welcome Week is a wonderful way for residents to explore, experience and engage with new ideas, new people and their new community,” said IHP Director of Program Development & Engagement Ronaldo Ribeiro. On Tuesday, September 29, 2015, residents enjoyed a Welcome Week breakfast, where they met fellow residents and IHP staff for morning beverages, bagels and donuts, and lively conversation. That evening, more than 100 residents filled the Ibrahim Theater for the Candle Lighting Ceremony Dinner, where they enjoyed a formal buffet dinner and learned more about IHP and why joining our global community is a life-changing experience. IHP staff, including President and CEO Tanya Steinberg, welcomed the residents and shared their perspectives on the unique benefits and opportunities available to all residents of the House. Talented residents performed classical music, and there were engaging activities throughout the evening, including heart-felt remarks by current residents who took the stage to discuss how IHP has enriched their experience in the United States. The highlight of the evening was the Candle Lighting Ceremony, an IHP tradition that creates a special bond among people of all nationalities and cultures. Each resident stood and held a candle with a glowing flame as everyone joined together to recite the International House pledge:
“As light begets light, so love, friendship and goodwill are passed from one another. We, who have come from many nations to live in one fellowship at International House, promise one another to pass the light wherever we go.” On Wednesday, September 30, residents came together for an informative Town Hall meeting, followed by a movie in the Ibrahim Theater. The next day, new and current residents savored dishes that they were asked to create and bring to the Taste of IHP Pot-Luck in the Galleria. Mouthwatering appetizers, entrées and desserts from many cultures were happily shared to the delight of all. During the October 1 event, helpful tips to enjoy University City and Philadelphia were shared with those in attendance. Welcome Week ended on Friday, October 2 with a Dance Party in the South America room that was decorated as a disco. All residents were invited to the dance, which featured a DJ spinning international hits, as well as beverages and light appetizers.
Welcome Week is a wonderful way for residents to explore, experience and engage with new ideas, new people and their new community.
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Wanlin Du (China) is pursuing a Master of Science degree in Education at the University of Pennsylvania, with a focus on teaching English to speakers of other languages. She has an avid interest in serving as a “bridge” with IHP’s Spoken English and Foreign Languages Program. She also hopes to emulate the efforts of her past RAs. Payal Jain (India) is enrolled at the University of Pennsylvania, where she is pursuing a PhD and her passion for neuro-oncology research. She has been living at IHP for three years since completing her Master of Science degree in Biotechnology at Columbia University in New York City and enrolling at Penn. She is a returning RA.
M e e t IH P ’s Resident A dv i s o r s If you’ve lived at International House, you know that IHP’s resident advisors are special people that personify our mission of promoting cultural understanding and our commitment to helping international students make a successful transition when they come to America and Philadelphia for higher education or professional training. This year, IHP has nine resident advisors that are dedicated to serving the men and women that choose to make 3701 Chestnut Street their home address for a few months, a semester or two, or for a year or more. Saif Al Saudi (Iraq) is a returning resident advisor and MBA student at Drexel University’s LeBow College of Business. He has lived at IHP since April 2014 and received the prestigious Davis Projects for Peace grant in 2015 to create a video that delivers a message of peace and understanding to people in Iraq and around the world. I-World wrote about Saif’s project in the Spring 2015 issue. Saif enjoys living at IHP because it is a “diverse community and he is inspired by diversity.” Nyasha Chivaura (Zimbabwe) is new to the House. She is enrolled at Philadelphia University, where she is pursuing a Master of Science degree in Textile Design. Nyasha learned about International House Philadelphia from a former IHP resident who happened, as luck would have it, to supervise her internship in New York City last summer. The chance encounter proved that the IHP alumni network is important and valuable. Chelsea Dombroskie (United States) studies at the Philadelphia Academy of the Fine Arts and has lived at IHP for four fulfilling years. This is her first year as a resident advisor. She is the subject of this issue’s Resident Profile – see Page 9.
Soheil Fakhrieh Kashan (Iran) is a returning resident advisor. He moved to Philadelphia from Tehran, the capital of Iran, in August 2013 to pursue graduate degrees in both Finance and Business Analytics at Drexel University. He enjoys participating in the variety of social and cultural programs at IHP and meeting new people in the House, especially “hearing their stories and learning about their cultures.” When he’s not studying, he likes hiking and cooking, among other activities. Shailly Saini (Canada) lived at IHP in 2014 while completing a research internship at the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine (Penn Medicine). A graduate of the Windsor University School of Medicine in St. Kitts, she returned to IHP and Penn Medicine this year, where she is conducting research in women’s health while applying for medical residency training at various hospitals. This is her first year as an RA. Shailly was inspired to become a resident advisor after her RA last year did so much to “make her feel at home” when she was new to Philadelphia. Priya Sharma (Fiji Islands) is a graduate scholar at the University of Pennsylvania, where she is pursuing a doctorate with a specialization in Climate Science and Oceanography. She has been active in IHP activities for the past year. Born in Fiji, Priya’s ethnic background is Indian and she follows Hinduism, like many Fijians. In July 2015, she served as a speaker at IHP’s annual Eid al-Fitr Feast, which marks the end of Ramadan and is observed by Muslims around the world. Participating in many of IHP’s cultural celebrations has made her feel “connected to all cultures, with a firm understanding of humanity.” She’s a new resident advisor. Ravi Shrivastav (Nepal) is pursuing a Master’s degree in Biomedical Science at Drexel University. This is his first year as a resident advisor at IHP, where he has lived since September 2014. He had planned to stay at IHP only for a short time but he “started loving the friendly atmosphere.” Ravi enjoys helping residents. When a devastating earthquake struck Nepal earlier this year, he helped the Resident Life office attend to the needs of fellow residents from his homeland.
International House Philadelphia
R ESIDENT P R OFILE : CHELSEA DO M B R OSKIE IHP 2011 – 2016, United States You might say that Chelsea Dombroskie, 22, is having a pictureperfect year. Last May, she graduated from the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA), earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree after majoring in painting and minoring in sculpture. Shortly before graduation, the soft-spoken artist from Miami, Florida learned that she had received the Richard C. von Hess Travel Scholarship from PAFA. The prestigious scholarship has enabled her to return to PAFA for a fifth year, where she is currently enrolled in a painting certificate program while spending time pursuing her passion in the studio. The scholarship will also make it possible for her to travel across Europe for a month after she completes the certificate program next spring. “I’d applied for the scholarship in February and found out just days before graduating that I had won,” said Chelsea, who has lived at International House Philadelphia for four years while pursuing her studies at PAFA. “It came as a huge surprise. I was really nervous and I was preparing to have a stable studio practice, so finding out that I won was such a huge relief because then everything just fell into place.” The Richard C. von Hess Travel Scholarship is a one-year, fulltuition and travel scholarship for a third or fourth-year student whose work is exhibited competitively in the Annual Student Exhibition. Based on merit and financial need, the scholarship is selected by PAFA’s appointed faculty. Chelsea had to submit a proposal and a travel itinerary. “I plan to go to Switzerland, Northern Italy, France and Amsterdam in September or October of next year,” Chelsea said during an interview at International House, where some of her work was displayed at IHP’s Resident and Alumni Art Show last June. It’s not the first time that Chelsea has received a scholarship in recognition of her talent. At PAFA, which is located in Center City,
she has been the recipient of the Charles Toppan Prize, the Fred & Naomi Hazel Art Scholarship Award and the Maguire Scholarship. As a high school student at the New World School of the Arts in Miami, a visual and performing arts magnet school, Chelsea always knew that she wanted to pursue a degree in art. When an Admission’s representative from PAFA came to her high school, Chelsea quickly embraced the idea of going to PAFA and Philadelphia, which in turn would lead her to International House. “PAFA was actually the only school outside of Florida that I visited,” Chelsea said. “After I visited, I thought this is it! I loved the city and loved the school. PAFA teaches art in more of a classical way that comes from Europe, and combines it with contemporary ways of thinking, so it has a nice mix of tradition and forward-thinking.” Chelsea’s passion for painting and Philadelphia extends to her experience at IHP, where she became a resident advisor for the first time this fall. She has been living at IHP since her freshman year at PAFA. “I still remember my first suitemates at International House,” Chelsea said with a smile. “It was amazing to learn about their cultures, and about the foods that we cooked together. I made friends with suitemates from China, Mexico and Turkey. They’ve returned to their countries or gone to other schools but I’m still friends with them through Facebook.” Asked why she chose to become a resident advisor, Chelsea replied, “I really like being involved with the programs here and I wanted to pass on my knowledge and help new residents.” When she isn’t in the classroom or the studio, Chelsea said she enjoys dining out and visiting museums in Philadelphia, not just art museums.
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International House Philadelphia
P r o gr a m s T h at Br i n g t h e W o r l d t o IH P International House Philadelphia offers a truly diverse lineup of engaging programs and events that showcase different cultures and international arts. IHP also partners with organizations in the community to present informative guest speakers and forums. Here are some recent highlights.
Cultural Celebrations
All-American foods were on the menu for IHP’s annual Independence Day BBQ on July 2, 2015. Residents and other guests celebrated the Fourth of July two days early with a delicious array of grilled foods served buffet-style in the South America room due to inclement weather.
IHP Diwali Celebration (left); Annual Thanksgiving Dinner (right)
Special Events
IHP and Peace Day Philly presented Measuring Peace: Economic and Intercultural Perspectives on Creating a More Peaceful World. The event on September 15, 2015 included a dynamic presentation by Michelle Breslauer of the Institute for Economics and Peace, a panel discussion featuring IHP residents, music by Farah Siraj and a reception.
International House residents, members and guests came together for IHP’s annual Eid al-Fitr Feast on July 18, 2015. Observed by Muslims around the world, Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan. The celebration at IHP included authentic Indian food and festivities.
IHP and the Geographical Society of Philadelphia presented Ryan Pyle: Cultural Understanding and India Ride on October 21, 2015. Pyle, an award-winning photographer, is the star of Tough Rides, a global motorcycle adventure series that has chronicled his two-wheeled expeditions in China, India and Brazil. His live presentation on India enthralled the audience. The program also included a panel session with IHP residents, plus delicious Indian cuisine for all. The event in the Ibrahim Theater was part of IHP’s Intercultural Leadership Series.
IHP and the Board of Delegates hosted Culture & Cuisine at the Belgian Café on October 20, 2015. Everyone enjoyed authentic Belgian fare while learning more about each other and life at International House as several IHP residents shared their personal experiences.
Entrepreneur Rebecca Rescate, who has appeared on ABC-TV’s Shark Tank program, came to IHP on October 19, 2015 to share her business expertise and success story with a rapt audience. The event was held in the Ibrahim Theater and presented in partnership with Entrepreneur Works.
IHP’s annual Diwali Celebration delighted the many people that gathered in the Galleria on November 11, 2015 for music, dance, games, gifts, henna art and Indian food. Celebrated by Hindus in India and around the world, the “Festival of Lights” is one of the most popular cultural programs of the year at IHP. Costumed residents and guests had a frightfully fun evening and danced to the midnight hour at IHP’s annual Halloween Party on October 30, 2015. Nearly 100 IHP residents and guests attended IHP’s annual Thanksgiving celebration on November 26, 2015, where everyone enjoyed a bountiful buffet with turkey and all the trimmings.
International Cinema
IHP celebrated the Pope’s historic visit to Philadelphia in September 2015 by offering free screenings of two classic films about St. Francis – Brother Sun, Sister Moon and The Flowers of St. Francis. Other IHP international cinema highlights this year included: Stories from Non-Putin Russia, a featured series of documentaries screened in August 2015; and the Experimental Grounds/Unexpected Sources series, which was presented in partnership with The Galleries at Moore College of Art & Design from October through December 2015 and showcased Mexico and its filmmakers.
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CLASS NOTES 1950 s
Chandrakant “Chuck” R. Gupta (India) is retired and lives in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania. He is pictured here (right) with alumnus Felipe Cesar (Brazil, 2000s) and Chuck’s lovely wife, Margot Rowley (center). They love to travel and do so quite frequently, including a trip to Morocco in September 2015. Chuck has maintained close ties to IHP and is very active in the House. He serves on IHP’s Alumni Council and has been a major IHP donor and supporter for many years. John and Geraldine Tom (United States) are retired and reside in Philadelphia. They met at IHP in 1963 and were married in 1966 at the home of the British Consul General at the time. John was introduced to IHP by a co-worker at RCA, where he was an engineer. John has maintained friendships with fellow IHP alumni, including Chuck Gupta (India). John’s achievements at IHP included serving as President of the Student Council and producing IHP’s black tie-fundraising gala in 1959, the Global Gala. John enjoys spending time with Geraldine and playing tennis with friends.
1960 s Javad Mohsenian, MD (Iran), a psychiatrist and novelist, recently authored Gold for Sugar, his fifth novel and sixth book. Published in September 2015 by Ketab Publishing Corporation, Gold for Sugar is a collection of short
stories and a novella encompassing East and West. Dr. Mohsenian, an IranianAmerican author, presents many of the cultural conflicts, understandings, and misunderstandings between Iran and the United States in the form of stories. He explores topics of religion, race, prejudice, integration and exploitation as he offers insights into life and love. He looks into mankind’s struggle in the face of all kinds of intrusions. Gold for Sugar is a human drama influenced by events he has witnessed. As a member of the Bucks County Writers Workshop in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, Dr. Mohsenian received recognition in a contest for a story of the supernatural; one of his writings about the escape of a member of a brutalized religious minority to the western world was compared with The Kite Runner. In addition to Gold for Sugar, his novels include Waves in the Wheat Fields, Today is also Late, Persian Moonlight, his first work in English, and 9/11 Children, his first book for young readers. Dr. Mohsenian resides in Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania.
1970 s Robert G. Edwards, PhD (United Kingdom) reports that he is Director of Regulatory Science at Arent Fox LLP. He has been working in the law firm’s Washington, D.C. office for 25 years since joining Arent Fox in 1990 as its in-house scientific consultant. He earned his PhD in bio-organic chemistry from the University of Oxford. Robert lived at IHP while he was a post-doctoral research fellow and research associate in the Department of Ophthalmology of the University of Pennsylvania Medical School. He is an active member of the American Chemical Society and other organizations. He and his wife, Linda, reside in Edgewater, Maryland. Salvatore Zecchini (Italy) is Vice Chair of the Committee on Economic Cooperation and Integration at the UN Economic Commission for Europe, as well as Chair of the Working Party on Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises and Entrepreneurship for the Organisation for
Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The OECD promotes policies that will improve the economic and social well-being of people around the world. Salvatore is also a Professor of International Economic Policy at the University of Rome. During his career, he served as Chairman of GME, which is Italy’s power exchange, and as Executive Director of the International Monetary Fund, among other notable achievements. He has also authored studies, articles and books. Salvatore lived at IHP while pursuing his PhD in Economics at the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School.
1980 s
Evangelos Dimitriou (Greece) visited IHP on July 13, 2015 with his daughter, Alexandra (Greece 2010s), who was preparing for her two-month stay at IHP and an internship at Temple University, her father’s alma mater. Evangelos also traveled along the east coast with his wife, Katerina, and had a chance to visit with old friends and fellow alumni, including those at a mini-reunion and meeting that IHP hosted in August 2015. He is currently a mechanical engineer for the city of Athens in Greece. Jose and Myrna Caraza (Mexico) made a surprise appearance at IHP’s Independence Day BBQ on July 2, 2015 with their two daughters Sophia and Cecilia. They had traveled from Mexico and were visiting IHP Board of Trustees member Richard Veith and his wife Carolyn. Jose and Myrna were both living at IHP in the 1980s when they first met the Veiths. They have remained dear friends. Jose currently works as an engineer in Mexico, where he returned
International House Philadelphia
after earning his engineering degree from University of Pennsylvania. During their visit, Jose and Myrna were able to reconnect with other alumni, including Ludo Scheffer (The Netherlands), Chair of IHP’s Board of Trustees.
Satomi D’Agostino (Japan) and her husband Anthony D’Agostino (United States) run an English school in Tokyo, where they recently celebrated Halloween. Satomi proudly reports that one of their former students, Moeka Ishinoda (Japan, 2010s), 20, recently spent a month at IHP. During her stay, Moeka had an opportunity to spend time with IHP Board Chair and alumnus Ludo Scheffer (The Netherlands) and Carole Parker, who was a manager and director for IHP for 31 years before retiring in 2012. Satomi and Anthony have remained friends with Ludo and Carole since living at IHP in the 1980s. During Moeka’s recent stay at IHP, “I was there with her in spirit,” Satomi said.
Desirée A. Johnson (The Bahamas) shared news that she has been accepted by the Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of The Bahamas and The Turks and Caicos as a postulant – a candidate for ordination to the sacred priesthood. She begins seminary training in August 2016. Her achievement follows a two-year vocational discernment process and a
IHP hosted a meeting on August 8, 2015, for a close knit group of alumni from the 1980s. The alumni in attendance were Evangelos Demetriou (Greece), Luisa Saffiotti (United States), Roshini Ponnamperuma (United States), Kaori Hayashi (Japan), Rachel Kirzner (United States), Antoine Rotival (France) and Paul Durand (Ireland). For some of them, it was their first time back to the House since leaving more than two decades ago. They were overjoyed as the group reminisced about their days at IHP, shared old photos and caught up on life events. Their close “family” of fellow IHP alumni includes 18 other former residents, some of whom connected to the meeting via Skype. The meeting was held to discuss plans for a reunion next year in Athens, Greece. IHP is holding an alumni reunion in Athens on July 8-9, 2016, and the group is planning its own reunion around that time in memory of their dear friend and fellow IHP alumna Polyxeni “Jenny” Bougia (Greece), who passed away two years ago.
career in the financial services industry that has spanned almost 25 years. Desirée (photo, left) also reports that she and her family spent Christmas 2014 in Washington, D.C., where she met fellow IHP alumna and suitemate Lesley Wong (United States) (pictured next to Desirée) and her husband Quincey. In May 2015, she fulfilled a promise to Satomi D’Agostino (Japan), her former IHP suitemate, and traveled from the Bahamas to Tokyo to spend 10 days with Satomi and her family, including Satomi’s husband Anthony, an IHP alumnus. “What a blessing it is to have a friendship that has lasted almost 30 years and spanned two continents, and it all began at IHP,” Desirée concluded. Evangelia Karatza-Styliara (Greece) says she is living in Athens with her husband and daughter and that they’re all doing well. Evangelia says most of her career has been in the field of Teaching
English as a Second Language, including volunteering extensively at various institutes and organizations. These days, Evangelia teaches patchwork (needlework in which small pieces of cloth in different designs, colors, or textures are sewn together) and participates in patchwork art workshops and exhibitions. She also creates photo books for weddings, christenings and travelogues. In addition to teaching, she manages three rental summer homes in Greece. Evangelia recalls fondly that her four years at IHP were “truly unique” and that she became friends with many people, including Sushama Nigudkar (India), a lifelong friend, and Mercedes Rivero (Venezuela), a “super roommate,” to name just a few. There were so many people at IHP that “made my life in Philly good and memorable,” she told us.
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1990 s Marieke van Wijk (The Netherlands) reports that she is a plastic surgeon in Zwolle, The Netherlands, where she lives with Oswald van Dam, who serves on the city council, and their three children. Marieke lived at IHP from September 1998 to May 1999 as one of the many Dutch medical students from Groningen University that were doing research projects at the University of Pennsylvania. She last visited IHP in 2008. “West Philly had changed a lot, in a good way,” Marieke recalled. She stays in touch with friends and IHP alumni through Facebook, which she said is a “good surrogate” for a reunion. Liz Einsig Wise (United States) is a non-profit management professional and resides in New Orleans, Louisiana, where she recently reconnected with Doris (Fretz) Rippey, who served as IHP’s Director of Resident Programs in the 1990s. Liz resided at IHP from 1997 to 1998. Liz, Doris and her husband, Dave Rippey, got together at Luke Restaurant in New Orleans, where the trio enjoyed a feast of fresh oysters. “Doris borrowed my IHP t-shirt to work out in while they were visiting New Orleans,” Liz confided. Hitomi Yoshida (Japan) has enjoyed a longstanding career in community engagement that recently brought her back to her alma mater, the University of Pennsylvania, where she is now serving as a Diversity Programs Manager, a role that includes coordinating a global learning program at Penn’s Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology. Hitomi lived at International House and served as a resident advisor before graduating from Penn’s Graduate School of Education. She visited IHP recently and said that she’s “so happy to get reconnected to I-House, a vibrant multicultural residential community.”
2000 s
Shekeya Watkins (right) IHP Alumni Relations Manager. Jaime was thrilled to be back after leaving IHP seven years ago. He and his family were touring the United States for two weeks before returning to Colombia, where Jaime works as a Business Administrator for Amcor. He said living at IHP “was a wonderful time and experience. I shared many nice moments with the people I met in this beautiful place.”
Fatih Akay (Turkey) and his research team attended the “Third International Conference on Artificial Intelligence, Engineering and Applications, which was held in November 2015 at Kyrenia American University in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. His team presented seven papers at the conference. Fatih (photo, right) said that he also had the pleasure of rendezvousing with his friend and IHP alumnus Umut Yesilmen (Turkey) (photo, left) in Kyrenia. Umut traveled all the way from Istanbul to reconnect with him. “We talked about our great times at I-House and we realized that most of our memories about I-House are still fresh,” Fatih said. “It was a great experience to make diverse friends during our stay at I-House. What is even greater is keeping in touch with those friends and meeting them in person from time to time. In this sense, I feel lucky because I have many friends in Turkey that I met during my time at I-House and I’m still in touch with them.”
Jaime Andres Lopez Alzote (Colombia) recently visited IHP with his wife Claudis, and their daughters Alejandra and Laura, pictured here with
Joris Bokkes (The Netherlands) reports that he is working as an Innovation Management consultant at Philips Industry Consulting, where he focuses on both new business creation in medical technology and digital transformation. Joris lived at IHP in 2006 and 2007. “My decision to move to I-House was definitely the right one,” he told us. “When I think of the camaraderie I enjoyed with many residents, I immediately start smiling. Fortunately, I have kept in touch with many friends from the I-House.” Three years ago, Joris visited Istanbul for work and had drinks with IHP alumnus Bora Garipcan (Turkey), a fellow resident of D-house. Another time, he met IHP alumnus Mark Serrano (Philippines) for dinner in Amsterdam when Mark went to The Netherlands for a training program. “Sometimes I think ‘I-Home’ would be a better name for ‘I-House’ because so many people feel at home at this great place,” Joris observed. Christopher Hearsey (United States) is a member of IHP’s Alumni Council and lives in Washington, D.C. On his way to New York City, he stopped in Philadelphia on November 14, 2015 to have lunch with IHP President and CEO Tanya Steinberg, IHP Board Chair
International House Philadelphia
and alumnus Ludo Scheffer (The Netherlands, 1980s), IHP Director of Development and Alumni Relations Margarita Q. Mirkil and IHP Office Manager Clara Fomich. Chris reminisced about his experience living at IHP while attending Temple University, where he received a BA in Mathematical Economics and Political Science in 2006. After lunch, Chris went to New York City to meet Faheem Pudussery (India), a fellow IHP alum who recently moved back to India from the United Arab Emirates.
Leah Lowthorp (United States), pictured here with Ertan Ergezen (Turkey), returned to the U.S. recently after spending two years in India researching the oldest continuously performed theater in the world, Kutiyattam Sanskrit Theater. Leah is currently a Lecturer at the Folklore and Mythology program at Harvard University, where she teaches courses in Globalization and Expressive Culture; Folklore and Gender; South Asian Folklore; and Folklore, Protest and Social Justice. Leah said her “wonderful 3 ½ years at I-House Philly continue to have a positive impact on my life,” in part because of her partner of nearly ten years, Terry Ivanauskas (Brazil), a former IHP resident advisor. Terry is now a Professor of Economics at the University of São Paulo. “The relationships that I forged at I-House have allowed me to truly feel like a citizen of the world, and I have encountered friends that I made during my time there in many corners of the globe,” Leah said. She recently attended two International House alumni reunions – the first was in Boston, Massachusetts in May 2015 and the second was in Berkeley, California in June 2015.
2010 s
Olga Pak (Kyrgyzstan) is pursuing a PhD in Business as a Management Science major at the University of South Carolina’s Darla Moore School of Business, with the goal of becoming a business school professor at a research university. Olga (photo, center) is a CoFounder and President of the Business Analytics Club, a 325-member student organization on campus. She expects to graduate in 2019. She also works with Oracle Retail, where she estimates and optimizes promotional shelf-space display at grocery stores. Olga and her husband, a professor at the University of Georgia, have been married for seven years and have two sons (6 and 4 years old). They live in Columbia, South Carolina. She stopped by IHP in November 2015 during a trip to Philadelphia to present research findings at a conference. During her visit, she met with friends on IHP’s staff, including President and CEO Tanya Steinberg (photo, right) and Deborah Houda, Customer Services and Facilities Manager (photo, left). Olga lived at IHP from October 2005 to May 2006 while she was enrolled in the University of Pennsylvania’s English Language Program.
Got News? Please submit your news to Alumni Relations Manager Shekeya Watkins at Shekeyaw@ihphilly.org.
Beknazar Abduvaliev (Kyrgyz Republic), pictured here with IHP President and CEO Tanya Steinberg, graduated from the University of Richmond in May 2015 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in mathematics and economics. He plans to start a career in the financial industry.
Bibek Banskota, M.D. (Nepal) is an orthopedic surgeon who founded The Hospital and Rehabilitation Center for Disabled Children in Nepal (HRDC), where its dedicated doctors, perform 1,500 surgeries each year. HRDC also provides community-based rehabilitation services that follow up with children in their villages and teach their families how to care for them. Three satellite surgical centers extend the hospital’s reach throughout Nepal. Dr. Banskota had a very busy year due to the devastating earthquake in Nepal in April 2015. His hospital launched an Emergency Surveillance and Response campaign to provide medical and food relief in seven districts that were hit by the quakes. “Through 93 rounds of relief camps that we conducted, we were able to see over 43,000 people affected directly or indirectly by the earthquake and distribute medical and food relief,” he said. “We conducted 540 surgical
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procedures in 250 patients injured in the earthquake. All of these activities were free of cost for all earthquake victims.” Dr. Banskota, who lived at IHP in 2012 when he was completing a research fellowship at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, sends his best wishes to everyone at I-House.
Regina Kemper (Brazil) recently completed an internship at the University of Pennsylvania’s Veterinary Hospital and is back in Brazil. Regina returned to Federal University of Mato Grosso – UFMT, for her senior year, and is planning on pursing a Master’s Degree in her field after graduation. Felipe Cesar (Brazil) had a surprise mini-reunion in Brazil with fellow IHP alums Michele Duarte Tonet (Brazil) (left), Livia Finoti (Brazil) (center) and Mateus Macedo Quintano (Brazil) (left rear). They got together and visited Felipe before he returned to IHP in August 2015 as he pursues a PhD at Temple University. “I had a very good friendship with Michelle, Livia and Mateus when we lived at International House,” Felipe said. “When we came back to Brazil, and I thought that we would not see each other, since Brazil is huge and we had different schedules. We know for sure that we will stay together no matter the distance.” Felipe credits IHP alumnus Chuck Gupta (India, 1950s) and IHP Office Manager Clara Fomich for taking a personal interest in him and for encouraging him to pursue his PhD studies at Temple. “I’m sure Clara and Chuck are angels,” he said. Felipe is seeking a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Inorganic Chemistry, which will take at least 5 years to complete. With his degree, he plans on teaching chemistry and doing research.
Amanda Machado (Brazil) pictured here with IHP Office Manager Clara Fomich (right) has returned to Brazil after completing a two-month internship in leukemia research at the University of Chicago. During her internship, the IHP alumna stayed at International House at the University of Chicago. She said staying at International House in both cities was important to her. “The presence of people from different parts of the world that are in the same situation as me made me feel similar, not different than others,” Amanda said. “I had the opportunity to learn more about cultures of many countries, which is very exciting because you see how wonderful the world can be.” she said. Amanda plans to complete her undergraduate degree in Biomedical Science at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte in Brazil, and then hopes to pursue a PhD abroad.
Adriana Mutu (Romania) is currently a media researcher at the Autonomous University of Barcelona after completing the PhD program in Political Science (with distinction) with a dissertation focusing on media regulation and independence. Adriana has extensive cross-disciplinary training in international environments, including in Europe, North America and North Africa. She happily reports that her two-year relationship with IHP alumnus Claudio Pacchierotti (Italy), pictured here with Adriana, “has flourished and became stronger in time. We´re still together and planning to visit Philly and IHP as soon as possible.” They met at IHP in January 2014.
Claudio Pacchierotti, PhD (Italy) received the “2014 EuroHaptics Best PhD Thesis Award” for his doctoral thesis in the field of haptics, which is the science of applying tactile sensation to computer applications in order to enable users to receive feedback in the form of felt sensations. The prize was awarded during the 2015 IEEE World Haptics conference last June in Chicago. His thesis showed promising results to improve the performance of current robot-assisted surgical systems. Claudio is currently a postdoctoral researcher at the Italian Institute of Technology in Italy.
International House Philadelphia
Residents enjoyed IHP’s Annual Thanksgiving Dinner on November 26, 2015
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B e c o m e a n IH P A l u m n i Am b a s s a d o r Would you like to reengage with International House Philadelphia? Would you like to reconnect with alumni around the world? Are you the type of person who enjoys contributing your time and talent to a worthy cause? If you answered yes to those questions, we’ve got a wonderful opportunity for someone like you! We’re looking for enthusiastic alumni volunteers that would be willing to represent IHP in various geographical regions as Alumni Ambassadors. Alumni Ambassadors support the IHP Alumni Relations Department in bridging the gap between International House Philadelphia, alumni and potential residents.
IHP Alumni Ambassadors: Connect with IHP alumni in your region, using various forms of outreach, including phone, email and social media; Correspond regularly with alumni to encourage engagement in planned activities; Spearhead alumni initiatives in your geographical region, including planning reunions and outings; Serve as a point-of-contact and overall resource for alumni living in or visiting your region when they need of guidance, support or professional networking opportunities;
Assist in the identifying and recruiting potential residents to help IHP attract a diverse population of students, scholars and professional trainees; Inform IHP’s Alumni Relations Department about alumni news and activities in your region; and Assist IHP in gathering alumni news and updates for our database and communications. Being an Alumni Ambassador is a way to make a positive difference for IHP and its future. As an Ambassador, you would also: participate in scheduled meetings via teleconference and/or Skype; correspond regularly with IHP Alumni Relations Manager Shekeya Watkins; and organize a minimum of one planned reunion each year. In addition to working with Shekeya, your main point of contact, you will have the opportunity to develop collaborative relationships with IHP Director of Development and Alumni Relations Margarita Q. Mirkil and members of the Alumni Council. If you found living at IHP to be a life-changing experience that broadened your horizons and helped you forge lasting friendships with fellow residents, we hope that you will consider joining our team of IHP Alumni Ambassadors. To sign up or to learn more, please contact Shekeya at shekeyaw@ihphilly.org or by calling her at 1-215-387-6598. We would love to hear from you!
IHP Annual ALUMNI REUNION IN Philadelphia
Saturday, June 4, 2016 IHP Global Gala in Philadelphia Saturday, May 7, 2016
IHP Alumni Reunion in Athens, Greece Friday, July 8 - Saturday, July 9, 2016
3701 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104
www.iHousephilly.org Follow us on: International House Philadelphia – 3701 Chestnut Street – 215.387.5125 – www.ihousephilly.org