Recent increases in student populations have forced some American colleges and universities to turn large numbers of students away from their dormitories. Though many schools are now rushing to build additional housing, these units won't be ready for a few years. In the meantime, students who can't get on-campus housing, and those who want to live off-campus, need to find other options. International Houses offer one alternative for students in some cities.

There are fourteen International Houses around the world, and five of them are in the U.S. Each one is independent and non-profit, and they are designed to provide an international environment for students from around the world. If you are looking for housing while you are studying in Berkeley, Chicago, New York, Philadelphia, or Washington, DC, you may want to consider staying at an International House.

One of the goals of the International Houses is to create an environment in which cultural and social exchanges are common. By being home to people from around the world, including the United States, they accomplish this. A portion of the fees that residents pay goes toward group trips and gatherings, and every effort is made to get residents together to discuss the differences and similarities between their respective cultures.

If you want more information about any of the International Houses in the U.S., you can contact them via mail, telephone, fax, or email, or visit their web pages. Here's their contact information:

International House
University of California, Berkeley
2299 Piedmont Avenue
Berkeley, CA 94720-2320 USA
Telephone: (510) 642-9470
Fax: (510) 642-5220
Email: [email protected]
Web Site: Berkeley

International House of Chicago
The University of Chicago
1414 East 59^th Street
Chicago, IL 60637 USA
Telephone: (733) 753-2280
Fax: (733) 753-1227
Email: [email protected]
Web Site: Chicago

International House
Office of Admissions
500 Riverside Drive
New York, NY 10027-3916 USA
Telephone: (212) 316-8436
Fax: (212) 316-1827
Email: [email protected]
Web Site: New York

International House of Philadelphia
3710 Chestnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104 USA
Telephone: (510) 642-9470
Fax: (510) 642-5220
Email: [email protected]
Web Site: Philadelphia