I-House Summer 2023 Events

While Berkeley may be quieter than it usually is during the academic year, I-House continues to be as lively as ever. Ranging from exchange students who are studying abroad for the summer, to recent graduates spending their last few months on campus, to full-time students taking summer classes, I-House currently houses a diverse group of residents from various backgrounds all over the world. Resident leaders are committed to making this summer as fun as possible with a full line-up of amazing events that you won’t want to miss!

Resident Assistants

Spearheading these events are our amazing Resident Assistants (RAs). Our RAs are student live-in staff who monitor the safety and well-being of residents. They are in charge of several important operations at I-House, including enforcing policies, helping residents with conflict matters, facilitating check-ins and check-outs at the front desk, attending to lock-outs, assisting in crisis situations, and much more. Additionally, RAs play a large role in community building at I-House, being in charge of Welcome Week and hosting floor-wide and house-wide events throughout the year. Having been one of the RAs for the 7th floor since August 2022, I really enjoy meeting new residents through our events and I’m excited to continue to do so this summer!

Community Building in Berkeley

UC Berkeley is filled with all sorts of fun activities, and our RAs have made sure that summer residents are able to experience as many of them as possible.

BAMPFA Visit – June 10

On June 10, RA Smruthi led a small group of residents to the Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive (BAMPFA) museum, which is a combined art museum, repertory movie theater, and archive associated with our university. Residents were able to see a few gorgeous exhibits at BAMPFA while getting to know each other as well! Smruthi noted that “a lot of the residents who attended did manage to hang out and stay connected afterward,” and that “it was nice to see people recognize each other from their own floors and make friends accordingly!”

Photos courtesy of the BAMPFA website

Paint Night – June 15

On the evening of June 15, RAs Mark and Amir organized a very successful Paint Night in our very own Great Hall! Residents gathered to make new friends while creating beautiful paintings on mini canvases and it was amazing to see how talented our residents are!

Photos by RA Mark Williams Jr.

Sporty Sunday – June 18

Lead RAs William and Nicolas organized a fun day of sports at Clark Kerr on June 18! The weather was perfectly sunny for friendly games of soccer and basketball and residents had a great time connecting with each other while getting some exercise!

Photos by RA Nicolas Lezaca

More of UC Berkeley

There are several other RA events coming up that you won’t want to miss! RA Amir will be hosting his popular campus-wide scavenger hunt on June 24, where residents have the opportunity to win I-House merch. On June 26, our resident Programs Assistant Alizé will be leading a crocheting session at I-House for those who want to learn a new skill over a cup of tea. On June 29, RA Teo will be hosting a Midnight at Mosaic event for all our climbing enthusiasts and on July 13, RAs Teo and Smruthi are hosting an Open Mic Night in our very own Edmonds’ Cafe. Finally, on July 24, RAs Sofia and Adam will be leading a hike up Berkeley’s scenic Fire Trails in the hills behind our building. More details for each event can be found on the posters posted around I-House!

Exploring Bay Area Culture

On top of our community-building events, residents can anticipate many opportunities to explore the Bay Area and its culture by celebrating American holidays and visiting popular sites!

Pride Parade – June 25

San Francisco’s Pride Parade is a spectacular event that brings together people from diverse backgrounds and communities, fostering an atmosphere of inclusivity, love, and identity. The parade features dazzling floats, talented performers, and the passionate spirit of thousands of participants marching through the heart of the city, standing in solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community. On June 25, RA Jordan invites I-House residents to meet at the front steps of I-House at 9am so that we can all watch the parade together!

Fourth of July Fireworks – July 3

The Fourth of July, also known as Independence Day, holds a significant place in American history as a commemoration of the country’s declaration of independence from Great Britain. Every year, families in America celebrate Independence Day by dressing up in the colors of the American flag (red, white, and blue), hosting barbecue gatherings, and enjoying the fireworks at night! On the evening of this holiday, RA Haikun will be taking residents to Pier 39 fireworks show in San Francisco, which begins at 9:30pm!

Golden Gate Park – July 8

Golden Gate Park, home to some of San Francisco’s popular cultural attractions, is a beautiful urban green space that spans over 1,000 acres. Established in 1870, the park stands as a testament to the city’s commitment to providing San Francisco residents a natural sanctuary amidst the urban landscape. Here you can visit several sites, including the Japanese Tea Garden, the Conservatory of Flowers, the SF Botanical Gardens, the de Young Museum, and the California Academy of Sciences. On July 8, RA Andreea and I will be taking I-House residents to the park, specifically the SF Botanical Gardens and the de Young Museum! Meets us in the Great Hall at 10am!

Timeline of Events

There are several exciting events in store this summer here at I-House! From arts and crafts in the house to day trips to San Francisco, I-House events are always a great opportunity for residents to meet new people and explore the Bay Area! Be on the lookout for posters around I-House with more details about each upcoming event. Looking forward to seeing you all there!