International Student House Washington DC

Providing an Enriching Experience for Student Residents

  • About
    • Our History
    • Board of Directors
    • Staff
    • Career Opportunities
      • Internship Program
    • International Houses Worldwide
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact Us
  • Prospective Residents
    • Availability and Application
    • Room Rates, Fees, and Photos
    • Deposits and Payments
    • Changes and Cancellation Guidelines
    • Location
    • Inside Look | Resident Blog
    • Scholarships
    • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Residents
    • Online Payments
    • Maintenance Requests
    • Directions
    • Meals and Late Dinners
    • Local Resources
    • Resident Handbook
    • Community Volunteer Opportunities
    • Inside Look | Resident Blog
    • Changes and Cancellation Guidelines
  • Alumni
    • Update Your Alumni Information
    • Newsletter
    • Distinguished Alumni
  • Support Us
    • 110th Anniversary of the Meserve-Lloyd Residence
    • Scholarship Fund
    • David Ruiz Alumni Fund
  • Venue Rentals
    • Event Spaces
    • Location
    • Equipment and Services
    • Policies and Procedures
    • Booking Inquiry
  • News
  • Events
    • Past Programs
    • Ambassador Dialogue Series

Coming to America

October 26, 2014 by Burakhan Cevik

#1 Post: Before departure, my expectations
September 3, 2014

Today It’s Wednesday, September 3rd, 2014 and that means only 5 days left until my 6-month internship at the Dutch embassy in Washington DC.

I can tell you that I am very excited and can’t wait for the moment I will stand with my bags at the airport. This is what I’ve dreamed about: working and living for a time abroad. This is what I have always wanted to do. At the beginning of my studies, I always said that I did not want to continue as an apple near the tree. I want to see the world and with the world discovering myself, grow, and get a broader view and look on life. I already know about myself: that I am very sociable and easy going, which will make my stay in the United States only more enjoyable. Still, it’s different than here in the Netherlands. The culture is not comparable to our small country, even though it still is a Western- and developed country.

I expect a pleasant and fun time at the embassy, as well as the International Student House, where I will stay the next 6 months. I will meet many people, develop my English language skills, travel a lot, and get homesick. But most of all, knowing that I am not willing to return to the Netherlands as the end is in sight. But we are still a long way and I am busy packing and jumping on my case currently.

: )

 

#2 Post: The trip and arrival
September 9, 2014

First I want to thank everyone for the kind messages, phone calls, visits, gifts, etc…. I really appreciate this enormously. It feels good to know that there are many people around you who care about you and believe in you. The people I have heard nothing from: you are on the blacklist! : )

During my flight from Copenhagen to Washington, DC, I was sitting next to a lawyer. What a small world! Given that we are both within the legal working world, we had much to discuss. The LinkedIn profiles were exchanged and I had already increased my business network on the flight.

From the air, Washington seemed really like the Netherlands: flat with some hills. With the words of my fellow traveler, “Well, welcome to Washington DC!” It was a fact. I’m in America. The first thing I noticed was the gate agent with a headscarf who was working at the airport. Nice to see that the United States is open to other faiths and it is not obstructed. I noticed that everyone who worked at the airport did not look like Americans. The American–in my imagination blonde hair and blue eyes–is more than what I had imagined: a mix of nationalities, which has led to the fact that I have felt more at home.

In the car on the way to the International Student House, I had no culture shock. So little that I spontaneously started typing my blog. It seemed as if I had been here before. I watched from inside the van as we entered the center city. A lot around me with the crowds and the traffic and the people not as bad as I thought. The suits and formal clothes that everybody was wearing clearly to see.

When I arrived at the International Student House, I was left in my room without a tour, which I found odd. It turned out that this is done so I would make contact with fellow housemates (smart idea). I landed around 3 o’clock in the afternoon and arrived at 6 o’clock arrived to the house, so it was time to go to dinner. During dinner, I used my social skills and started meeting and making friends. Of the accents that I could hear, six Dutch were revealed. Friends were therefore quickly made ​​and I soon had an American from Florida give me a tour of the house.

Soon I will have breakfast and then go with some others to research the city and also see where the embassy is located so I can easily find the location tomorrow when I start my internship.

This for now. Have a good afternoon to you in the Netherlands while I’m still enjoying my morning

: )

ISH at National Gallery of Art
ISH at National Zoo

 

Filed Under: Inside Look at ISH!

Burakhan Cevik

About Burakhan Cevik

Country: Netherlands
University: American University
About Burakhan: Burakhan stayed at ISH from fall 2014 till spring 2015. He is back and ready to continue his journey in DC and at ISH! This time as a student and not an intern. If you are willing to study abroad, build up an international network, travel and explore the world from a different perspective and widen your world, just make sure you to follow his blogs! Especially if you are hesitating about taking this big step.

COVID-19 Updates

Explore the House

Submit an Application

Support ISHDC DONATE NOW

Get Email Updates
from ISH

GET UPDATES

Inside Look at ISH | Resident Blog

  • Interfaith Excursions at ISH: Guest Resident Blogger Briah BassISHDC
  • A Message to Current and Future ResidentsStephen Frederico
Click Here for More Resident Perspectives

Upcoming Events

  • No currently scheduled events
  • All events

Recent Posts

  • 110th Anniversary of the Meserve-Lloyd Residence
  • Interfaith Excursions at ISH: Guest Resident Blogger Briah Bass
  • A Message to Current and Future Residents
  • Garden Gatherings 2021
  • Highlights: Global Leadership Awards

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.

Copyright © 2023 · Magazine Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in