He sat on Albert Einstein's lap and later received a handmade scroll from him. According to executive director Patrick Widner, this background, along with the support of other local visionaries, prepared Yamamoto to establish the International House in Davis. He and Bob Hagan had this idea. Before the program existed, the wives of visiting international scholars joined together to form the International Friendship Committee. Dorothy Foytik, a volunteer at the International House, recalls the need for the Connections program, which developed from the Friendship Committee.
People have a chance to meet each other and get acquainted with people from the community.
The Connections program offers the international community and area residents a place to converse and work on arts and crafts projects, such as quilts, necklaces and baskets. Members often feel the Connections program gives them an extended family. Widner recounted the experience of one woman. She had a little boy who had his first birthday here. Here we are filling a need.