News, ideas, and conversations from the University of Pennsylvania
June 9, 2011
International House Philadelphia
By Greg Johnson
International House Philadelphia (IHP) provides a unique residential experience that supports foreign students by offering a spectrum of programs designed to help them work and interact with people from all backgrounds.
International House Philadelphia (IHP) provides a unique residential experience that supports foreign students by offering a spectrum of programs designed to help them work and interact with people from all backgrounds. IHP has long been a premier presenter of international arts and culture, celebrating diversity and exploring issues from a global perspective.
In this edition of By The Numbers, we’re on a world tour with International House.
$20,000
Price the Penn Christian Association paid in 1917 for the Potts family property at 3905 Spruce St., IHP’s first home. Although Joseph D. Potts originally bought the mansion for $100,000, his heirs were impressed by the Christian Association’s plans to turn it into a home for foreign students and sold it at a discount.
5
Day, in April of 1943, that IHP became independent of the Christian Association. IHP President Reginald F. Chutter said, “It was incorporated as a separate entity affiliated with no special institution but associated with all in this area.”
150-plus
Number of cultural, educational and social programs that IHP provides to assist its residents with their adjustment to life in Philadelphia and the United States.
22,000-plus
Number of people per year who attend events at IHP’s 350-seat Ibrahim Theater.
66
Percentage of all international students studying in Philadelphia who are enrolled at either Penn or Drexel.
$8.5 million
Cost in 1970 (about $45 million today) for the construction of IHP’s current 12-story home at 3701 Chestnut St. Funding came from three main parties: $5 million from Otto Haas; $1 million from the community; and $2.5 million in the form of a loan from the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Originally published on June 9, 2011
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By the Numbers
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Quoted Recently
“I really do see the wait list as the final touches to a class.”
Eric J. Furda, dean of admissions at Penn, on students who are neither accepted nor rejected from a school. Last year, Penn offered 87 students admission off its active wait list of 1,200. (Philadelphia Inquirer, April 23, 2013)
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