International Student House Washington, DC

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Historic Partnerships and Games

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Residents of the International Student House (ISH) have many opportunities to explore Washington, DC’s historic houses. On Sunday, August 10, the President Woodrow Wilson House, a site of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, officially received a group of ISH residents. There, the residents learned about Woodrow Wilson’s personal life, as well as his presidential legacy. As resident Satoko Shimada put it, “The guide of the Woodrow Wilson House tour was very nice, and the tour was very informative. Moreover, the House was very beautiful. The guide answered our every question, from Wilson’s political achievements to his private life. Participating in this tour, we learned about his great contribution to world peace.”

Declaveillère Florence, an ISH resident from France who is completing an internship at the National Trust for Historic Preservation, arranged the visit. Her thoughts on the house were quite positive: “I really appreciated the visit with Barbara Slavin (an ISH board member). She took the time for our international group to explain the context of the house in American history and gave us multiple details about how the Wilson couple used to live in this house. My favorite rooms were the library for its special atmosphere with all the international objects gifted to the ex-president and the winter garden for his light and opened view to the garden.”

For interested residents who want to see this historical gem, there will be a vintage game night and happy hour at the President Woodrow Wilson House on Wednesday, October 1, 2014 from 5:30 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. Please visit their website for details and to purchase tickets.

Wilson House Picture
ISH Residents at the Woodrow Wilson House.

ISH Residents Attend French National Day at the Embassy of France

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ISH French residents, Agathe Riquier, Florence Declaveillère and Hadrian De Blander were invited to celebrate the French National Day at the French Embassy and had an opportunity to meet Ambassador François Delattre.  Agathe is currently conducting research at the Smithsonian Institution’s Museum Conservation Institute as part of her Master’s Degree studies at the Université Panthéon – Sorbonne; Florence is serving as an intern with the National Trust for Historic Preservation; and Hadrian is participating in an internship in the field of oncology at the National Institutes of Health.   Commonly called the quatorze juillet, French citizens commemorate the beginning of the French Revolution with the Storming of the Bastille on July 14, 1789.  Agathe noted “The opportunity to celebrate Bastille Day in the nation that has certainly influenced the French Revolution was a valuable experience.”  The event featured traditional French food and drinks with a live band performing popular French songs. The residents were honored to meet the Ambassador.   Ambassador Delattre served as the Diplomatic Chair of ISH’s 2012 Global Leadership Awards, and has spoken at the House several times.  He will soon depart Washington to become France’s Ambassador to the United Nations.  ISHDC sends its congratulations and warm wishes to Ambassador Delattre in his new and important duties.  We remain grateful for his strong support of ISH over the past several years and look forward to continuing our warm relationship with his successor, who has not yet been appointed.

ISH Celebrates the Culture of the Pacific Islands

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International Student House celebrated a Pacific Island Night organized by residents from the East-West Center who are interning in Washington, D.C.  The event featured traditional Pacific dances which the East-West Center residents performed and taught to the other residents in attendance.  This cultural celebration is one of many that occurs at ISH to showcase the diversity of the residents and to encourage cultural appreciation.

Photo by ISH Resident Luan Dong

Residents Attend Marine Corps’ Evening Parade Honoring Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel

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ISH Residents were treated to a unique opportunity to attend a Marine Corps’ Evening Parade hosted by the Commandant of the Marine Corps, General James Amos and Mrs. Bonnie Amos at the Marine Barracks on June 20. The Parade honored Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel. Secretary Hagel’s wife, Lilibet, is a member of the ISH Board of Directors.

Residents also attended a reception preceding the parade at the Commandant’s residence at which time they met Commandant Amos, Sergeant Major Michael P. Barrett and Corporal William Kyle Carpenter. Corporal Carpenter  was recently awarded the Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest military honor, for his service in Afghanistan in 2010.

Sharon Elhadad, an ISH Resident from Israel, noted “This was truly a once in a lifetime experience. We were humbled to meet these brave men and women who serve in the Marine Corps. It was inspiring to hear Corporal Carpenter’s story of bravery. I would not have been exposed to such a rewarding opportunity without International Student House.”

ISH Residents with Commandant General James Amos, Sergeant Major Michael P. Barrett and Corporal William Kyle Carpenter.
ISH Residents with Commandant General James Amos, Sergeant Major Michael P. Barrett and Corporal William Kyle Carpenter.

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

International Student House of Washington, 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.