International Student House Washington DC

Providing an Enriching Experience for Student Residents

A Message to Current and Future Residents

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A Message to Current and Future Residents,

Today marks my final day at the International Student House. While I am excited to begin my next adventure, it’s extremely hard to say goodbye. I first came to ISH in May of 2019, I had just graduated from college, and I had a dream of one day becoming a doctor. While I came to Washington, DC to perform biomedical research and expand my understanding of the sciences, I also wanted to have a different experience here – one that went beyond spending time in laboratories and hospital clinics. So, I moved into International Student House. From the moment I moved in, I knew I had made the right decision.

On my very first day I was greeted by people from all over the world who had a variety of interests and who were so accomplished in their respective fields. I met future diplomats, musicians, attorneys, consultants, artists, and yes even a few scientists. My conversations with these individuals ultimately made me better at what I wanted to do. We discussed how we could use art and music therapy for patients with cancer, how we can use diplomacy to access areas of the world that are typically difficult to vaccinate, and so much more. My point in mentioning these conversations is that yes, even a scientist and future physician can benefit from living in an International Student House in the middle of Washington, DC.

Over the past two years I have been able to make friends from all over the world ranging from the smallest of countries like Liechtenstein and Malta, to vast ones like Mongolia and Russia. I have enjoyed my conversations with these friends as I have been able to learn much from them about how healthcare works in their area of the world, challenges they face in accessing care, and what their healthcare systems do well that we could consider implementing in the United States. As the COVID-19 pandemic has revealed, disease does not respect borders, and science will need to become an even more collaborative sport. It is places like the House that will enable this collaboration to take place. As I move on to this next chapter of my life, I will always hold on to the fond memories I have from this incredible place and keep in touch with all the friends I have made here over the years. I hope to see you all again one day.

Farewell,
Stephen Frederico

Stephen Frederico

About Stephen Frederico

Country: USA
University: Johns Hopkins University

Stephen Frederico was born and raised in Rochester, New York and moved to the Washington, DC area following the completion of his undergraduate studies at the College of Charleston. Currently, Stephen is a graduate student at Johns Hopkins University and a Cancer Research Training Award Fellow at the National Cancer Institute in Bethesda, Maryland. Following the completion of his studies at Johns Hopkins, Stephen hopes to attend medical school. While in DC, Stephen likes to visit the various museums in the city (the National Air and Space Museum is his favorite) and try new restaurants serving up his favorite food, that being, pizza. When not working, visiting a museum, or eating pizza, you can find Stephen reading a new book, assembling a new airplane or ship model kit, or working out.

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.