International House NYC

About International House

International House is a microcosm of the world: diverse, challenging, surprising. Our Admissions Team curates an eclectic, interdisciplinary cohort of open-minded international and US-born graduate students, interns, trainees, and visiting scholars who study and work in New York City and live together at I-House at a key stage in their lives.

Through intentional programming and daily, informal interactions, our residents listen to others, share life stories, question their own views, and genuinely come to understand one another. To be an I-House resident is to be open, receptive, and a part of a supportive community and network. The time residents spend together is often relatively brief, but the gifts they acquire last a lifetime. Living at I-House is a life-changing experience that our alumni carry with them into their communities, practices, and professions when they leave our doors.

I-House provides the opportunity to have this wonderful community experience, in a building that is beautiful and historical; I feel very grateful for it. —Orçun D., Türkiye

I-House history

Mission & Values

I-House was built on the simple yet radical notion that living in a safe, diverse, interdisciplinary community instills a lifelong dedication to cross-cultural understanding. By living at I-House, our residents are empowered to bridge the divides between people and nations to evolve into a more open-minded, accepting, and equitable community able to pursue common ground

RESPECT EMPATHY MORAL COURAGE

Notable Alumni

Chinua Achebe ’63, author

Nnamdi Azikiwe ’34, former President of Nigeria

Kinan Azmeh ’04, Grammy Award-winning musician

Patricia Bath ’69, pioneer in ophthalmology and the first African-American female doctor to receive a medical patent

Aage Niels Bohr ’50, Nobel Prize-winning nuclear physicist

Dietrich Bonhoeffer ’31, theologian & anti-Nazi dissident

Leonard Cohen ’57, composer, poet

Ariane Daguin ’80, entrepreneur and founder of D’Artagnan Foods

James Gorman ’87, CEO, Morgan Stanley

Mohammad Fadhel Jamali ’31, former Prime Minister of Iraq

Santiago Peña ’03, President of Paraguay

Leontyne Price ’52, opera singer

Irene Sankoff ’02 and David Hein ’01, of the Tony Award-winning show Come from Away

Tatsuro Toyoda ’58, Senior Advisor, Toyota Motor Company

Who we are

Programs & Resident Life

I-House programs are designed to connect residents with experts in a wide variety of fields. Residents gain insights from policymakers and diplomats; engage in meaningful discussions with innovators in business and tech; explore social issues with filmmakers and journalists; and delve into the creative process with acclaimed musicians, actors, and artists.

Academic year programming at I-House emphasizes professional and personal development, cultural celebrations, and legacy events that keep I-House’s century-long traditions alive. Residents also engage with, learn, and grow from resident led events that foster cross-cultural understanding to create a more secure, peaceful, and collaborative global coexistence for all.

At I-House, you can always find people whenever you want to have a conversation about politics, society, or just a casual discussion - it’s a brilliant community. —Rohit N., India

Fellowships

Each academic year, Residents are selected as Resident Leader Fellows and Peer Counselor Fellows. Fellows learn to draw upon their strengths as intercultural communicators to plan programs that build community and facilitate interaction among residents.

Resident Leader Fellows plan, develop, and implement diverse areas of programming for the I-House community. As leaders, these Fellows serve as a point of reference and guidance in the community, helping new residents feel welcome and encouraging them to make new friends and develop natural support networks at I-House.

Peer Counselor Fellows are graduate students or working professionals in the field of mental health who are available to assist any residents throughout the year.

Academic Year Admission

I-House offers two terms: the academic year and the summer, allowing for flexibility for arrivals and departures throughout the year with a 30-day minimum length of stay.

Academic year admission to I-House is selective. Applications are reviewed and assessed based on the merit of applicants, their commitment to the I-House mission, and their willingness to share their time and talent with the I-House community.

Applicants applying for the academic year must be 21 years of age or older, and must be studying at the graduate level, or training or working full-time. Residents can live at I-House for a maximum of three academic years. Living at I-House during the summer does not count towards those three academic years.

Learn more about applying to I-House

Summer Admission

The summer term admission is for those who wish to arrive and depart between May and August, and the process has different eligibility requirements.

Applicants applying for the Summer Term must be 18 years of age or older and do not have to be studying or working full-time to be eligible to live at the House. Summer applicants are reviewed in a less rigorous process than Academic Year applicants, and are admitted on a firstcome, first-served basis.

During the summer, I-House programs are designed to build community among our residents and to allow residents to become acquainted with New York City. Summer programming includes excursions in and around NYC, cultural events celebrating the diversity of the I-House community, and social events including I-House’s signature event, Ice Cream Socials. If you live at I-House, you never have to explore NYC alone!

Financial Aid

Financial aid at I-House is available to assist residents with housing expenses during the academic year. All residents of I-House are eligible to apply for aid, regardless of citizenship, field of study, or enrollment status. During the Academic Year 2023-2024, I-House awarded over $1 million in funding to 33% of our resident community, with 5% of our resident population receiving a full year of funding to cover room fees.

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The I-House community has been a pillar of support during these times of uncertainty. Without support from I-House, my experience would not be possible. —Javier M., Guatemala

Rooms & Amenities

Located steps from Riverside Park, Sakura Park, and public transportation to all of New York City, I-House’s North and South buildings offer both private and shared spaces for our residents.

I-House South offers single-occupancy rooms with or without a sink. Lounge and bathroom facilities are shared by the residents on each floor.

I-House North offers private and shared apartments. Private apartments (studios and 1-bedrooms) can be booked by individuals or families. Shared apartments have 3-4 single-occupancy bedrooms with a shared kitchen, bathroom, and living space.

Amenities include a 24/7-staffed front desk and public safety office, free Wi-Fi, mailroom, bicycle storage room, laundry facilities, music practice rooms, several lounge areas, access to the Frohlich Gymnasium and the Frohlich Fitness Center, multiple quiet study rooms, the dining hall, pub, game room, computer lab, conference room, and floor lounges located on each floor of I-House South.