It is that time of the year again. The period where residents in the house feel so connected, like they have known each other for years, but at the same time have to end their internships, exchange programs in DC, and have to say good bye to their colleagues, class mates and most importantly, the people who they have been sharing their room and house with. From my experience, I know how hard it can be to be close with someone and loose them, because it really does feel like you are loosing them. Meeting new residents in the coming semester will feel like you are betraying your old room or housemates. I can assure you that you don’t have to worry about loosing your good friends. In the past year I have been reuniting with ISH friends in London, Milan and in my hometown Rotterdam. I will meet with another ISH friend soon in Amsterdam, so the connection continues.
This year has been crazy. Ending an internship at the Dutch Embassy in DC in March and coming back to DC as a student. The transition was so different. Unfortunately, less quality time with the house and the residents, because there is so much to do and to read to prepare for class. I remember myself being afraid after the first week of class. It was so much, so fast and so different than it is back home in the Netherlands. I was questioning myself: “Would I still be able to finish this program and graduate?”, “Did I underestimate the master program?”. All these questions started to fly around in my mind. Meanwhile, professors, friends and family were encouraging me to keep believing in myself and that it will be a matter of time for me to get used to the different system of education, and as they said, it did take a month, but after those four weeks I started to be confident again and believe in myself. When I look back at the semester now, I must say that I had a great time as a student in DC. I am used to the U.S. system of studying and it feels like I have been studying for years in the States. I have learned so much and met a lot of people who have became my friends. The international family is getting bigger.
2015 brought me a lot. To keep believing in yourself, even when things get so bad that you don’t know which road to follow. Every road you follow with bad or good decisions, will make you the person, as who you are today.
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.