International Student House Washington DC

Providing an Enriching Experience for Student Residents

Una Chapman Cox Foundation Launches Residential Scholarship Program at ISH-DC for Pickering and Rangel Fellows

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The Una Chapman Cox Foundation has partnered with ISH-DC to create the the Una Chapman Cox Residential Scholarship Program for Thomas Pickering and Charles Rangel Fellows. The Thomas Pickering and Charles Rangel Fellowship programs were established to encourage diversity and help young people from underrepresented groups become US Foreign Service Officers. Fellows are outstanding graduate students and the future of diplomacy for the United States.

Several Pickering and Rangel Fellows have called ISH-DC home, including current resident Zinna Senbetta. Our partnership with the Cox Foundation will award residential scholarships for 7 Pickering and Rangel Fellows to live at the House next year. Fellows will benefit from living within our unique community of students and interns from dozens of countries around the world.

We appreciate the Cox Foundation’s support of our mission and their commitment to US diplomacy around the world.

Pickering and Rangel Fellows may apply for a Una Chapman Cox Foundation Residential Scholarship by contacting Jill Holcomb, [email protected] or (202) 232-4007 ext. 204. Application deadline is April 16, 2019.

Tribute Dinner Hosted by His Excellency Gérard Araud, Ambassador of France

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“ International Student House lays a strong foundation for international cooperation. Residents come from all over the world and gathered around one goal: fostering global citizenship. By global citizenship, I mean a core of shared values: open-mindedness, freedom, tolerance, and also the promotion of inter-cultural dialogue which is necessary for addressing global challenges.” – Julien Maire, ISH-DC Resident Scholar from France addressing guests

2018 Global Leadership Awards Dinner Chair Rear Admiral Susan Blumenthal, MD; ISH-DC Resident Scholar Julien Maire; His Excellency Gérard Araud, Ambassador of Franch
Guests being welcomed to the Ambassador's Residence

On the evening of February 25, our 2018 Global Leadership Awards Diplomatic Chair, Ambassador Gérard Araud of France graciously hosted an unforgettable evening at his residence.  The Ambassador and six of our students were joined by sponsors, Board members, Members of Congress, and friends to celebrate the mission of international education and the vital role the House plays in cultivating relationships among students from every corner of the globe. 

Kevin Chaffee, 2018 Global Leadership Awards Chair and ISH-DC Board Member Didi Cutler, ISH-DC Board Member Shaista Mahmood
Governor Jim Blanchard 

Ambassador Araud opened the evening by welcoming our guests and shared his long support of the House, having first joined ISH-DC when he addressed a room full of resident scholars over two years ago.  Our outstanding Dinner Chairs, Rear Admiral Susan Blumenthal and Isabel “Didi” Cutler, thanked the Ambassador and our sponsors, and shared about the importance of International Student House and their firm belief that our students are without a doubt future leaders in both the public and private sectors. 

ISH-DC Board Member Annette Aburdene speaking with ISH-DC Resident Scholars
Congressman Rick Larsen and Tiia Karlen, former Congressman John Tanner

International Student House resident scholar, Julien Maire from Véronnes, France had an opportunity to share about his time in the House.  Julien spoke about the meals and traditions that are shared among residents.  He emphasized that the House lays a strong foundation for international cooperation as students learn to engage with one another, and the friendships they begin here in Washington become more significant when they become leaders in all sectors around the world.  As they succeed professionally, friends become allies, and the relationships they begin as students have a profound impact.

We encourage you to read Julien’s full remarks here.

ISH-DC Board President Eric Melby giving a toast at the end of the evening
ISH-DC Board Member Lisa Barry, Eileen Shields-West, Robin West

We are grateful to Ambassador Araud for hosting this memorable evening, and we remain grateful to our generous sponsors who support our House and our mission of providing a unique cross-cultural experience to develop students and scholars into exemplary global citizens.

You can view more photos from the evening Here.

Thank you Bob Abernethy for Investing in our Students

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ISH-DC is pleased to recognize Bob Abernethy for very generously renewing his financial support for ISH-DC’s Abernethy Scholar Program.  His contribution will provide residential scholarships for 10 graduate students living at the House and attending Johns Hopkins University Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS).

ISH-DC resident scholar Angela Mazimba from Zambia and Bob Abernethy at the Residence of the Ambassador of France

Since 2016, Bob has made a critical difference in the lives of 37 students, giving them the opportunity to live in our unique community and study at SAIS.   Bob not only provides funding, but also actively supports and checks in on his Abernethy Scholars, meeting with them when he is in Washington.  The morning after our 2018 Global Leadership Awards Dinner where he was in attendance, he joined an excited group of this year’s Abernethy Scholars for breakfast.

As one of our past Abernethy Scholars said, “it meant so much that Bob believed in me.”

Thank you for believing in our students.

ISH-DC Honors Cynthia R. Bunton for her Service as President, Board of Directors 2016 – 2018

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Cynthia Bunton has led International Student House of Washington DC (ISH-DC) for the past three years as President of our Board of Directors.  During her tenure, the House has seen a time of significant growth and exciting change.

Cynthia, a retired United States Foreign Service Officer with over 30 years of executive leadership experience in international operations and strategic management, began her time as President by recognizing the value of building and maintaining a strong community with our Board of Directors, resident scholars, alumni, and advocates.  Under her leadership, ISH-DC has expanded relationships with foreign embassies and enhanced outreach to Members of Congress and other US government officials.   A number of foreign Ambassadors have either spoken at the House or invite our students to join them at their embassies for receptions and discussions.  Under her guidance, a number of Board members have engaged in supporting residents with career advice by participating in networking events and round tables, as well as hosting residents during holidays and other informal opportunities. As a result, we have created an even more diverse and global community of resident scholars at the House and our scholars have benefited from the many various opportunities offered while a part of the ISH-DC family.

Diversifying and strengthening our Board of Directors has also been a significant achievement of Cynthia’s tenure.  Under her leadership, our Governance Committee has engaged in a by-laws revision process, as well as engaged with and secured 15 new prominent members of our Board.  Cynthia has been a steadfast leader throughout her time in office and her accomplishments will be felt for years to come.

Cynthia, who also happens to be an alumna of the House, has left an indelible mark upon our organization.  The Board of Directors, resident scholars, and staff thank her for her leadership, vision, and drive over the past three years and look forward to her continued involvement with International Student House.

2018 Global Leadership Awards Highlights

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International Student House of Washington, DC (ISH-DC) is a place like few others. The House is home to 100 graduate students from 40 countries, learning from each other and sharing their lives. Our resident scholars participate in phenomenal programs at universities around Washington, or engage in professional level internships at exceptional institutions such as the World Bank, the OAS, the United States Congress, their respective embassies, and many, many more. It is here with us at ISH-DC and in Washington that they grow to become our future leaders and learn to work together. It is at International Student House where diplomacy begins.

ISH-DC Board President Cynthia Bunton, Marcelle Leahy, Senator Patrick Leahy, ISH-DC resident scholars Varsha Thebo from Pakistan and Jan Langle from Germany
Senator Susan Collins accepting the 2018 Global Leadership Award from ISH-DC resident scholar Varsha Thebo from Pakistan

On the evening of November 14, Ambassadors from 10 countries, Members of Congress, special guests, and International Student House resident scholars gathered to honor Senator Patrick Leahy and Senator Susan Collins with our 2018 Global Leadership Awards. We were pleased to recognize these senior members of the United States Senate for their distinguished service to our country and work on behalf of international understanding and education.

Jan Smith, Ambassador Sylvie Lucas of Luxembourg, Debbie Driesman
Congressman Mark Meadows, Lubka Stoytchev, Ambassador Tihomir Stoytchev of Bulgaria

Following a cocktail reception in the Great Hall and Library of our Tudor-style mansion in the Dupont neighborhood, our guests descended to our Garden where ISH-DC Board President Cynthia Bunton welcomed everyone to the House. Our 2018 Global Leadership Awards Honorary co-Chair Rear Admiral Susan Blumenthal also took a moment to thank guests and introduce ISH-DC resident scholar Jan Langle, who spoke about his experience as a law student from Germany and presented Senator Leahy with the Global Leadership Award. Senator Leahy spoke at length about the importance of international understanding and dialogue, and the need for institutions such as International Student House where people from different backgrounds can learn from each other.

ISH-DC resident scholar Varsha Thebo then shared about her experiences from growing up in a rural Pakistani community where education was not available to her, to now being a college graduate and current graduate student. Varsha then presented the Global Leadership Award to Senator Collins by expressing her gratitude that the Senator is a champion for education. As Senator Collins graciously accepted the honor, she addressed not only the importance of education, but specifically educating girls and young women. Didi Cutler, our Awards Dinner co-Chair, closed the evening by thanking guests for their participation and continued support.

Awards Dinner co-Chair Didi Cutler, ISH-DC Board President Cynthia Bunton, Ambassador Geir Haarde of Iceland, Inga Jona Thordardottir

Our many guests who joined us for the Global Leadership Awards had the opportunity to meet our resident scholars and learn that International Student House is a community where we embrace diversity and value the unique contributions of all residents, which we know makes us stronger and will have a lasting impact on future generations. We are grateful to our many friends and sponsors who allow us to continue the mission of ISH-DC, which began over 80 years ago.

Awards Dinner co-Chair Didi Cutler, Senator Ed Markey, Ambassador Emily Haber of Germany
Shaista Mahmood, Ambassador Rafat Mahmood, ISH London CEO Martin Chalker, ISH-DC Board Member Lisa Barry

Once again, we would like to thank our generous sponsors who support our House. The evening was invaluable in strengthening our community to provide a place for young scholars from around the world as they pursue their goals and become engaged global citizens.

Click here to view many more excellent photos from the Awards Dinner.

Eileen Shields-West, Robin West, Senator Susan Collins, Jane Cafritz, Cynthia Bunton, Lisa Barry

 

Thank you to our Sponsors

Leadership Sponsors
Robert J. Abernethy
Archer Daniels Midland Company
Embassy of the State of Qatar

Benefactors
Lisa Barry and James Gale

Patrons
Eric Melby and Pamela Tripp-Melby
Embassy of the United Arab Emirates

Partners
Annette and Elias Aburdene
Blackstone Foundation
James and Janet Blanchard
Calvin and Jane Cafritz
William H. and Jean Crocker
Michael and Elizabeth Galvin
Frank F. Islam and Debbie Driesman
Philip C. Lauinger
Rafat and Shaista Mahmood
Sherry Mueller
NAFSA: Association of International Educators
Eileen Shields-West and Robin West

Friends
Larry and Deborah Dunham
Johnson Lambert
Kuwait-America Foundation
Jan Smith
Sodexo
John and Betty Ann Tanner 

Thank you for those who attended, and for those who were unable to come, we hope to see you next year.

International Student House of Washington, DC | 1825 R Street, NW | Washington, DC 20009

International Student House of Washington, DC (ISH-DC) is a private, non-profit 501(c)3 organization located near Dupont Circle in the heart of Washington, DC. Donations will help support our mission to provide an exceptional residential experience to a highly diverse international community of graduate students, interns and visiting scholars. The House promotes inter-cultural dialogue, encourages life-long connections, and fosters global citizenship.