International Student House recently welcomed members of four International and International Neighbors Clubs for a luncheon program which featured a lively discussion with a group of ISH resident scholars.

The young scholars discussed their experiences of living in our international community and the broadening opportunities they have had in Washington.

They also shared information about their home countries and the differences in cultures with the clubs, the Supreme Court and others from the Washington residential community.

 

ISH was represented at The Congressional Club’s annual First Lady’s Luncheon honoring First Lady Michelle Obama on May 1, 2014.  The 102^nd annual luncheon was attended by ISH resident Chimdi Onwudiegwu from Nigeria who is completing her Master’s Degree in International Affairs in Johns Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Studies. Chimdi’s participation was made possible by ISH Board member Betty Ann Tanner, whose husband, John Tanner is a former Congressman from Tennessee.

In her address, Mrs. Obama emphasized the importance of education.  She noted the significance of cultural exchange and stated that The White House will be shining a brighter light on education. The First Lady discussed her Reach Higher initiative, an effort to inspire every student in America to pursue education beyond high school.

Betty Ann Tanner, a member of the ISH Board of Directors and a Vice President of The Congressional Club, served on the committee to organize the luncheon which included spouses of Congress members, Supreme Court Justices and Cabinet Secretaries.  Mrs. Tanner noted “for one hundred and two years the Congressional Club has honored America’s First Lady by hosting an event in Washington, DC.  This year we were especially glad to hear that Mrs. Obama and the White House will focus on higher education and the added value of international education exchanges.”

Board member Annette Aburdene and Development Associate Marie Pius also attended.

Learn about the Reach Higher initiative here

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.