International Student House Washington DC

Providing an Enriching Experience for Student Residents

“Happy Hour” at the Embassy of Liechtenstein

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The first week of June marked for a few changes at the House. Many residents moved out after their spring semester ended and many new faces rolled in for summer internships. All this commotion leads to an interesting month for sure.

One of the most memorable moments of June that had residents dressed up in their business best was a “Happy Hour” invitation from His Excellency Kurt Jaeger, the Ambassador of the Principality of Liechtenstein. This event was at the waterfront residence of the Ambassador and many current residents, as well as a handful of alumni, Board members and staff of both the Embassy and ISH attended.

Ambassador Jaeger speaking to a group of ISH-DC resident scholars

This was an excellent opportunity for students with interest in international affairs and business to have conversations with Ambassador Jaeger about both his time in Foreign Service and the private sector. He has been the Ambassador of Liechtenstein to the United States of America since 2016, and the six years prior to this he was Ambassador to the European Union and Belgium. He also has years of experience in international regulatory affairs and the airline industry, just to touch on a few points from his extensive CV.

The residency had a wonderful terrace view of the Potomac River and Georgetown,  where we were welcomed into the pristine and beautiful home of Ambassador and Mrs. Jaeger, who invited us to enjoy drinks and nibbles made for a truly unforgettable evening. All the ISH residents who attended felt personally welcomed by the Ambassador and Mrs. Jaeger, who won everyone over with their natural charisma and worldly knowledge.

It was a very nice evening and the intermingle of ISH residents and embassy team was effortlessly smooth. I for one had a wonderful conversation with Mrs. Jaeger about pilates and the best parts of DC – including the Kennedy Center and the free performances on Millennium Stage.

THANK YOU to Ambassador Jaeger, Mrs. Jaeger, and their team at the Embassy of Liechtenstein for an unforgettable night!



2019 Spring Garden Party Highlights

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On the evening of May 30, the Board of Directors of International Student House of Washington, DC (ISH-DC) welcomed guests to our annual Spring Garden Party.  Despite the rainy afternoon, the House was filled with friends who joined us to celebrate the season and our mission of providing an exceptional residential experience for a highly diverse international community of graduate students and interns while here in Washington.

The Garden Party was once again a wonderful evening with our International Student House community as resident scholars from almost 40 countries had the opportunity to mingle with our many guests, including members of the diplomatic corps and prominent Washingtonians. This year the occasion coincided with a number of university graduations, giving our resident scholars who completed their studies another opportunity to celebrate their achievements.

We also welcomed back a number of ISH-DC alumni, all having gone on to exciting careers, and who are active in supporting our current residents in their professional pursuits.  We are delighted to have such a strong alumni presence join us every year at our Garden Party.

We remain grateful to our many advocates who help ensure our community is strong and vibrant, as well as a safe home for students from around the world to rely on for years to come.

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.

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.