International House Residents bring to the community a plethora of culture and interests. During the course of a typical year, I-House Residents represent approximately 100 different countries and 70+ academic and professional institutions.
Below are just a few Residents who have volunteered as Resident Ambassadors to answer your questions and honestly describe their I-House experience.
Haila Amin
Columbia University
Economics & Philosophy
I am ethnic Mongolian, but I am Chinese and have been living in France, the US and China for most of my life. I just started my Columbia journey studying Economics and Philosophy. Outside of classes, I spend a lot of time preparing and going to UN conferences. This February, I went to the UN Environmental Assembly, in March I went to the negotiation for a biological diversity convention, I am going to Sweden for the Stockholm+50, a climate change conference as well, and this summer, there is a high-level political forum for human dignity. I personally deliver an oral statement on behalf of civil society at the UN, so, I usually spend a lot of my free time working for NGOs and learning about different Human Rights philosophy, environmental conservation, and other related political issues. I also listen to a lot of Mongolian music. Because I am an ethnic minority, it is very hard for me to keep my heritage. Previously, I lived with a friend from Mongolia, and we spent a lot of time listening to traditional music and thinking about how our culture can contribute to modern society. Our culture is very nomadic — some people think it is very old fashioned — but we find it very beautiful; we find a lot of inspirations that can be complimentary to modern society.
MuHan Li
Columbia University
International Relations & Philosophy
I grew up in the Northern part of China in the Gansu province. I went to Singapore at age 12 and spent the next decade there, finishing middle and high school and two years of military service, and I also ran my startup for two years before coming to Columbia to study Philosophy and International Relations for my undergrad. My interest in my studies is sparked by my upbringing – coming from a relatively underdeveloped part of China to Singapore, which is obviously a global metropolis — that initial experience sparked my interest in understanding how the wealth of different nations and the economic and political systems work. My primary motivation is intellectual curiosity – I’d like to understand how the world works, what is my place in the world? How does my background, my country, my operating, contribute to and position myself in history? This is partially why I enjoy living at I-House so much, and why want to continue to work in the geo-political sphere; it could allow me to be in the circle and participate in those conversations, and, in certain ways, shape how global affairs work to a smaller or larger extent.
Karen Ng
Columbia University
Journalism
I’m a journalist, poet and master’s student at the Columbia Journalism School. I lead Columbia’s poetry society and have experience as an editor, singer, stylist, and street photographer. Outside of work, I immerse myself diligently in everything you’d cover as culture–film, fashion, music, poetry, books, theatre, philosophy, classics… In pursuit of them, I enjoy keeping a dense, well-spread schedule out in whichever city I’m in with my family and friends, be it New York City, London, Tokyo or Hong Kong. Social justice issues are very important to me, and I often report on and volunteer with queer, elderly and marginalized communities. The works that move me the most tend to be life-affirming yet somewhat poignant, and my own writing is often teeming with imagery.
Xiaotian Max Geng
Columbia University
Electrical Engineering
I am training as a software engineer and currently looking for a job. I like cooking, reading books about history and political science, photography and playing the guitar.
Ned Latham
Columbia University
Public Health
My academic interests include infectious diseases, epidemiology and health equity. In my spare time I enjoy attending live shows, tennis and baking.
Ayesha Liaqat
Columbia University-Teachers College
Clinical Psychology (Concentration: Child & Family Psychology)
I am interested in child psychology, mental health, intergenerational trauma, first-generation struggles, climate change, and its impact on our well-being. I love meeting new people and getting to know their stories.
Dakshesh Thacker
Columbia University
Public Affairs
In my free time I like reading, playing board games, including chess. I also enjoy exploring new places to eat and drink.
Chaimae Haska
Columbia University
International Affairs
Besides my academic interests relating to Human Rights and Global affairs, I am deeply interested in Art and Music!
Meet Some of Our Residents
Weyni Berhe
“This is a platform to question who you are and how you fit within the global community.”
International House is not associated or connected with the language school International House Language School New York or International House World Organisation.