Chicago, IL, U.S.A.

The mission of International House of Chicago is to enable students and scholars from around the world to live and learn together in a diverse community that builds life-long qualities of leadership, respect and friendship. This mission is achieved by daily interaction among students and scholars through programs, facilities and community life designed to foster diversity of thought and experience.

Founded in 1932 by John D. Rockefeller, Jr., International House of Chicago is a department within the University of Chicago Campus and Student Life organization. Since its founding in 1932, the International House of Chicago experience of international cultural exchange in a diverse community has transformed the lives of more than 42,000 people.

International House also serves the greater Chicago community as a cultural and intellectual center for a wide array of programs. Over 200 public programs are held each year at International House. These include music and cultural performances, outreach programs with Chicago-area international organizations, collaborations with foreign consulates, language exchanges and discussions, and forums and debates led by distinguished guest speakers through the Global Voices Performing Arts and Lecture Series. Each year, International House provides over 35,000 attendees with meaningful opportunities for discussion and engagement in community, national, and world affairs.

The Graduate Commons Program offers fellowships and internships to UChicago graduate students and post-doctoral fellows, and sponsors programs to help ensure the exceptional diversity of the graduate community connected to International House. Programming includes weekly language and culture tables and related dining activities, professional development opportunities, health and wellness programs, and social programs that promote interpersonal and intercultural understanding and friendship among all UChicago grad students.

The role and mission of International House of Chicago and International Houses Worldwide is more important than ever: in order to make the greatest possible impact in the international marketplace of ideas, Chicago students and scholars must be engaged with ideas and approaches from around the world. International House helps them do that, while also contributing to the intellectual and cultural fabric of the greater Chicago community.