Marie Pius, Author at International Student House Washington, DC

Spring 2014 Photo Contest

April 15, 2014 by Marie Pius

The Spring 2014 Photo Contest provided residents an opportunity to share their experiences at ISH and allow the community to view their time at the House from a residents’ perspective.

The contest covered four categories: Discovering Washington, New Friends, Our Facility and ISH Programs and Events. Photos were selected based upon quality, description and uniquely capturing the experience of an ISH resident.

We are pleased to present the photographs that were selected in each category.

Overall Winner

A Festive Violin Practice Submitted by Luan Dong (China)

Discovering Washington Category Winner

8 ISH sleepers from 7 countries experiencing homelessness together

Submitted by: Neena Dominic (India)

New Friends Category Winner

A Moment For the Books, Submitted by Marina Hutton (Canada)

ISH Programs or Event Category Winner

Lecture on the Ukrainian Crisis by Ukrainian Resident Svitlana
Submitted by Josh Ettinger (USA)

Our Facility Category Winner

The New World Submitted by Nicolas Marquez Pizzanelli (Uruguay)

Overlays

Overall Winner:
“A Festive Violin Practice”, Luan Dong (China)
Description: Resident Jakub Hlavka Practice Violin at the Great Hall Decorated for Christmas

Discovering Washington Category:
“8 ISH sleepers from 7 countries experiencing homelessness together”, Neena Dominic (India)
Description: On 21st March, along with our fellow ISH residents, we signed up to sleep out .We wanted to empathize with the homeless people, especially youth. This was part of a campaign to raise funds for a homeless shelter called Covenant House. We experienced unbearable discomfort sleeping on the pavement in this climate and understood the difficulties associated with homelessness. We also learned new things about homeless people in US. We learned that not all homeless youth are uneducated, drug addicts or even Americans. Some homeless youth included helpless and tortured youth from other countries who sought asylum in America. After learning this, our respect and adoration for America further increased. As we sat down later to discuss the night’s events, we shared our individual perspectives. Since we belonged to different countries, our discussions emerged with diverse perspectives and understandings. Such diversity can happen only in ISH community. We thank ISH board members for this amazing opportunity.

New Friends Category:
“A Moment for the Books”, Marina Hutton (Canada)
Description: This photo was taken at the Middle East Dialogue 2014, which ISH residents were invited to attend free-of-charge. Upon leaving, we were given books to share with other ISH residents. At this event, we had the opportunity to have some conversations with a very inspiring women – this photo was taken of our post-conference excitement. I have learned so much from these 2 girls, and have experienced a strong bond with them that I will forever treasure. This photo captures the essence of friendship and shared experiences at ISH.

ISH Programs or Event Category:
“Lecture on the Ukrainian Crisis by Ukrainian Resident Switlana”, Josh Ettinger (USA)
Description: When the Ukraine crisis unfolded, our Ukrainian resident, Switlana, gave us an insider’s perspective on the crisis and some historical background on her country.

Our Facility Category:
“The New World”, Nicolas Marquez Pizzanelli (Uruguay)
Description: 2014’s room renovation of the main building. One of the best room’s in the house, for its architecture and atmosphere. An empty room but a whole new world for its occupants.

Meet ISH’s New Resident Managers

April 12, 2014 by Marie Pius

ISH’s new Resident Managers, Jennifer Simpson and Robert Gertz, began their positions in December 2013. They oversee facility operations, admissions, resident events and support. Please join us in welcoming them to ISH!

Meet Jennifer Simpson

Hello! My name is Jennifer Simpson and I am one of the new Resident Managers for International Student House in DC. Before becoming a Resident Manager at ISH DC I served as a Resident Director at Temple University in Philadelphia, PA and Coastal Carolina University in Conway, SC for three years. I completed my Master of Science in College Student Development and Counseling at Northeastern University in Boston, MA. I was able to serve as the Residence Life Graduate Assistant at Newbury College in Brookline, MA, and a Student Activities and Leadership Graduate Assistant at Northeastern University.

You may be wondering why am I interested in working and living at a place like ISH DC. First, I am honored to be able to support the mission of providing a residential experience where international scholars are able to create life-long connections and promote inter-cultural dialogue. The unique experience ISH offers residents is one that will last a lifetime. In my short time here, I have already heard from many alumni of ISH DC and the amazing impact it had on their experience in DC. Secondly, my excitement of travel and culture. I have been fortunate to travel various countries such as Japan, Ireland, Western Europe, and Haiti. Each travel experience taught me new things about myself and gave me a greater understanding of what it means to live in a global society. In a world that is getting smaller through the means of technology, I believe cultural understanding is a necessity. Lastly, it is amazing to see the growth and development of residents who come and go from the house. Residents enter the house a little unsure of themselves, but within a couple of days, they have made connections and feel part of the house family. It makes me proud and honored to be part of this experience.

Meet Robert Gertz

Hello. My name is Robert Gertz. Before coming to the International Student House to be a Resident Manager, I served as a Resident Director within the Student Affairs Division at Temple University. While at that school, I also completed a Ph.D. in Philosophy. My dissertation, Moral Code: The Design and Social Values of the Internet, focused on current moral, political, and global challenges involving technology. My academic expertise centers on ethics and morality, and I continue to teach on this topic part-time.

I enjoy being part of a community interested in scholarly matters, so I am very excited to serve as a Resident Manager at ISH. As well, I spent a great deal of time studying, thinking, and writing on the difficulty of being a global citizen. I appreciate the valuable activity of widening one’s understanding and empathy for other ways of life. I am very pleased to be part of the fascinating history of ISH and take part in its important mission. I hope to contribute to the house and improve the experience of its residents, especially since they have already made my time at ISH so rewarding.

ISH Residents Meet with Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel as part of Tour of Pentagon and the 9/11 Memorial

April 12, 2014 by Marie Pius

A group of ISH residents participated in a very special visit to the Pentagon on March 27, 2014, which began with an informal meeting with US Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel in his office. ISH Board members Andrew Ammerman, Senior Executive Advisor to the Pentagon Memorial Fund, and Barbara Slavin, Chairman of ISH’s Committee on International Dialogue, organized this program which included a tour of the Pentagon and the 9/11 Memorial. The visit included a discussion on the history of the Pentagon, the tragic events of the 9/11 attack and first response, as well as the conception and design of the outdoor Pentagon Memorial and future plans for the 9/11 Pentagon Visitor Education Center. The tour also included a visit to the internal crash area memorial and chapel, and the outdoor memorial.

ISHDC Resident Receives Davis Projects for Peace Grant

April 10, 2014 by Marie Pius

International Student House of Washington, DC resident, Omar Almatrafi, has received a $10,000 Davis Projects for Peace grant. The Davis Projects for Peace is the vision of Kathryn W. Davis, an alumna of International House New York, who founded the prize to encourage and support today’s motivated youth to create and try out their own ideas for building peace. The prize is open to all IHouse residents who must submit a proposal for consideration.

Mr. Almatrafi submitted a proposal entitled “Preserving Vision for a Healthy Peaceful Community”. The grant will allow Omar to spend two weeks in Trujillo, Peru working with the Regional Teaching Hospital to prevent, detect and diagnose glaucoma, ultimately in hopes to prevent blindness.

ISH Symposium Will Address Sexual Assault on Campus

April 4, 2014 by Marie Pius

Contact: Judy Singer, Director of Development

International Student House

1825 R Street, NW

Washington, DC 20009

Tel.: 202-232-4007 x210

Email: [email protected]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 10, 2014

International Student House (ISH) of Washington, DC will present a symposium on Breaking the Silence: Addressing Sexual Assault on Campus on Thursday, May 1, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm at 1825 R Street, NW, Washington, DC. Distinguished speakers include Senator Robert Casey (Democrat – Pennsylvania); a representative from the White House Task Force to Protect Students from Sexual Assualt; Major General Jeffrey Snow, Director of Sexual Assault Prevention and Response at the Department of Defense; and others from the fields of advocacy, education and personal experience. Topics include current legislation, campus sexual-assault policies, sexual assault prevention and response programming and resources for students and bystanders.

The event is prompted by President Obama’s call to action and the establishment of a task force to protect students from sexual assault. With one out of every five women and one out of every 33 men in college experiencing sexual assault, it is an issue that is now demanding the attention of politicians, academics and the media. Incoming freshmen are the primary target; studies find that 63% of accusers are first year students.

ISH-DC believes this timely symposium reflects a concern and outrage on this issue that transcends generations and cultures. Founded in 1936, ISH-DC builds life-long connections among a diverse community of graduate students, academics and post-graduate interns. Over 10,000 resident scholars representing over 140 countries, including the United States, have passed through the doors of ISH-DC since our founding. Residents are offered a multitude of activities throughout the year that instill a spirit of cooperation while building a solid understanding of US culture, government and business. Through our in-depth programs and focus on cross-cultural dialogue, ISH-DC strives to be a model international community and represents “soft diplomacy” at its best.

Throughout the month of April, International Student House of DC’s resident scholars are participating in activities designed to raise awareness on this issue. These activities include a self-defense class as well as bystander intervention training.