October 24, 2025 | New York, NY
On a crisp autumn evening in Morningside Heights, the Great Hall at International House New York came alive with music, dance, and the vibrant energy of over 200 residents, alumni, and guests gathered for the 2025 Fall Fiesta—one of the institution’s most beloved and enduring traditions.
Among the highlights of the evening was the program’s seamless flow, guided by Saeed Ahmad, a New York–based attorney, recent Harvard Law School graduate, and current I-House resident, who served as Master of Ceremonies. With humor, poise, and warmth, Ahmad introduced a lineup of performances that reflected the immense diversity and artistic excellence of the I-House community.
The evening featured a captivating array of performances—from spoken word poetry and classical piano to traditional dance and opera—each act offering a glimpse into the cultural richness that defines life at International House. As Ahmad introduced each performer, he reminded the audience that beyond the art itself, Fall Fiesta is ultimately a celebration of shared humanity.
“Across faiths and cultures, we see this truth reflected,” Ahmad remarked in his opening address. “Whether it’s Muslims gathering for Ramadan Iftar, Hindus celebrating Diwali, Jews sharing Shabbat dinner, Christians meeting for Sunday service, or International House residents coming together for Tea Time, Book Club, Mid-Autumn Festival, or Hispanic Heritage Month. These moments remind us that human beings are wired for connection—that the simple act of coming together, sharing a meal, or celebrating art transcends borders and builds understanding.”
Saeed Ahmad’s reflections captured the enduring essence of Fall Fiesta—a celebration that for more than six decades has embodied the values of empathy, friendship, and cross-cultural exchange that lie at the heart of the International House mission.
The tradition dates back to 1964, when Program Director Herman “HR” Rottenberg, a spirited former businessman, first introduced Fall Fiesta as a way to promote cultural understanding through the universal languages of music, dance, and storytelling. The inaugural program featured All Nations, a professional multiethnic dance troupe, setting a precedent for what has become a cornerstone of I-House life.
Today, Fall Fiesta continues to honor HR’s legacy by bringing together residents from over 100 countries to share their talents, celebrate their heritages, and strengthen the bonds of community that define International House. Saeed noted how, “It is our inclusive cultures and united sense of community that enables us to leverage the opportunities presented, and serve as examples of the American Dream.”
As the final applause echoed through the Great Hall, one message resonated clearly: International House New York remains a living symbol of global unity—where art, friendship, and shared experience connect people from every corner of the world.
Saeed Ahmad is a Pakistani-American M&A and capital markets attorney at Sidley Austin LLP in New York City. A graduate of Harvard Law School, he received the Dean’s Award for Community Leadership and serves as a Visiting Fellow at the Harvard Law School Religious Freedom Clinic. He is also a 2025–2026 International House (New York) Program Fellow.
Raised in Corona, California, Ahmad began his academic journey at Norco College, where he earned three associate degrees, before transferring to UCLA and graduating in 2020 with a B.A. in Psychology. Before law school, he worked as a Client Advisor at the Louis Vuitton flagship store on Rodeo Drive, gaining firsthand experience in luxury retail and client service.
During law school, Ahmad built a broad-based legal portfolio, including roles at the Supreme Court of Pakistan, a boutique commercial litigation firm in Los Angeles, and a corporate law firm in New York. On campus, he was active in the Harvard Association for Law & Business, the J.D. Admissions Fellows Program, and the Committee on Sports & Entertainment Law. He also conducted research on fashion and copyright law in Japan and served as an editor of the Harvard Business Law Review. As a student leader, he helped spearhead HALB’s international trek to London & Dubai, organizing meetings with senior figures across law, finance, and global consumer brands to expose students to the intersection of law and business on a global stage.
Ahmad is the author of So You Want to Go to Harvard Law, a guide for aspiring law students that blends personal experience with practical advice on navigating the path to top-tier law schools.