International Student House Washington DC

Providing an Enriching Experience for Student Residents

Spring!

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Spring!

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Finally! I’m hesitating to say it out loud, but I think that winter is finally over. Yes! The last couple of months were extremely cold, and therefore it was really no fun to be outside of the house. Temperatures were sometimes as low as -22 Celsius Degree (-7 Fahrenheit), and I was really not used to that. But it seems that I don’t have to worry about that anymore! My mom visited me last month, and I gave her my winter coat and all my cardigans and sweaters so she could bring them back home. Goodbye winter, Hello spring!

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I already love this early spring in DC. The temperatures are rising and the first cherry blossoms have arrived. They are absolutely gorgeous! Jealous former residents beg me for pictures, but not all the blossoms arrived yet, so they have to wait just a little longer, which is hard, because I myself can hardly wait either. Next weekend the Cherry blossom Festival will take place. It is timed perfectly, because I think the entire city of DC will finally be pink by then. I feel blessed to be part of all of this!

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What I also love about spring is that more and more people spend time outside of their houses. DuPont Circle changes from a deserted looking park into a lively spot where people hang out, read books and have a pick-nick Terraces are filled with people who want to catch some sunlight. Until now I really thought terraces were very European, but spring in DC proved me wrong.

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Last Sunday I went out for a walk with fellow residents. We walked from our home to the Lincoln Memorial, and played beach-volleyball all afternoon at some courts located between the Lincoln Memorial and Kenendy Center. It was one of my favorite moments in DC so far. I felt so happy being on that volleyball court with my friends, enjoying the good weather, playing a sport I love while we were being spoiled with a view over the Potomac River on the one side, and the Washington Memorial on the other. We all loved it so much, volleyball will become part of our weekly routine from now on. Isn’t that great?

All I ask is for spring to stay with us. Please do!

Cornelia Donders

About Cornelia Donders

Hometown: Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Internship: NOS
Cornelia works as a Junior Producer for NOS Dutch Radio and Television, covering US news and current affairs for a large European audience. She came to ISH in January 2015. Before coming to Washington, Cornelia lived, worked and studied in Paris (France), Rome (Italy), and Charlottesville (VA). She will graduate soon with two Master's Degrees in History from the University of Amsterdam. Cornelia makes sure she cherishes every moment at ISH before she returns to her job at the Dutch television in The Netherlands.

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

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.