In partnership with the Una Chapman Cox Foundation and the Association of Black American Ambassadors (ABAA), the International Student House of Washington, DC (ISH-DC) welcomed an esteemed group of retired US Ambassadors for a panel discussion at 1825 R Street, NW on January 29. The event, moderated by Una Chapman Cox Foundation Executive Director, former US Ambassador Lino Gutierrez, featured Ambassadors Edward J. Perkins, Johnny Young, Pamela Spratlen, and Frankie Reed, who shared insights and observations reflecting their decades of experience in the US Foreign Service, which included a combined total of 15 ambassadorial postings and senior appointments in the US State Department.
ISH resident scholar and Cox Foundation Residential Scholar and Rangel Fellow, Abdul Muhialdin, welcomed guests to “the House,” initiating the event by sharing his motivation for wishing to pursue a career in the Foreign Service. The assembled Ambassadors recounted highlights from their careers, told of challenges they encountered along the way, and offered career advice to the numerous Rangel and Pickering Fellows and other young professionals in attendance. Also included in the audience were ISH-DC resident scholars, ABAA members, representatives from Young Professionals in Foreign Policy and ISH-DC board members and alumni.
We are grateful to our guest speakers for an interesting and engaging discussion. We look forward to continuing our tradition of welcoming distinguished professionals at the International Student House to share their experiences with our resident scholars.
The group was welcomed by ISH Board President, Eric Melby, and Interim Executive Director, Larry Dunham, who outlined the history of 1825 R Street NW and how it became the International Student House in 1946. Following a tour of the historic building, they were introduced to ISH residents from Egypt, Indonesia, Japan, Turkey and the United States, who are studying at Georgetown University, George Washington University, and American University. They were joined by two local alumni originally from China and Serbia, currently working at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank, and by ISH Board member Dr. Sherry Mueller, Distinguished Practitioner in Residence at the School of International Service, American University.
Ms. Casagrande shared her personal experiences studying abroad and the impact it had on her life. She went on to explain the many exchange opportunities now available to foreign students through the U.S. State Department. While discussing one such program, EducationUSA, our resident scholars were interested to learn that one of them had attended an EducationUSA program in Indonesia. Our residents and alumni also shared their experiences studying in Washington, DC and the impact that living at International Student House has had on them.
The afternoon was filled with engaging conversation, reaffirming the importance of inter-cultural exchange. Ms. Casagrande pointed out, at the State Department, “We are in the business of friendship building”, which very much coincides with the mission of the International Student House.
We appreciate DAS Casagrande and her team visiting ISH to learn about our community and meet our exceptional resident scholars, who will soon be leaders around the world. We look forward to continuing the dialogue with her and her colleagues at the State Department.
Ambassador Stephen Akard and Stan Myck, President of the Consular Corps of Washington, DC