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

What I’m Doing in DC: Winter/Spring Edition

March 3, 2021 by Stephen Frederico

Chinatown – One of DC’s Best Neighborhoods

In an effort to become more familiar with some of the neighborhoods in DC that are outside the Dupont Circle neighborhood, a small group of fellow International Student House residents, including myself, decided to check out Chinatown.  

On this visit we decided to visit Tony Cheng’s which serves both Mongolian and Chinese food, and our dining experience was incredible! I would definitely recommend checking this place out if you are ever in the Chinatown neighborhood!

Following dinner, we went to Chinatown’s friendship archway, which are traditionally referred to as paifangs. The friendship archway in Chinatown in Washington, DC is the largest ceremonial archway that is outside of China. While our visit may have been limited due to restrictions in place as a result of the pandemic, I am very excited to go back to once the pandemic is over so that I can truly take part in all this area has to offer!

A Trip to the International Spy Museum!

A few days later, we decided to take a trip to one of the most talked about museums in DC, the International Spy Museum! Not long before the pandemic, a group of resident scholars got to join a special behind-the-scenes tour, and while I couldn’t join then, I was excited to visit recently.

This place houses an impressive collection of cool gadgets and gear used by spies throughout the world. One of the most unique weapons in this museum had to be a tube of lipstick that was disguised as a handgun. Known as the “kiss of death” this weapon was used by KGB operatives during the Cold War and is a 4.5 mm single-shot firearm.

Another interesting item was the pigeon camera. Prior to the invention of hot air balloons, satellites and drones, spies would attach cameras to pigeons and then have these pigeons fly over military sites taking photographs of enemy equipment.  While the unique gadgets that are in this museum are definitely cool, my favorite exhibit had to be James Bond’s Aston Martin DB5. The car was absolutely stunning and looked as if it rolled right off the movie set!

A final artifact in this museum that you should definitely check out is George Washington’s letter to Nathaniel Sackett where he asks Sackett to create a spy network that would spy on the British. 

Overall, this museum was one of the best that I have visited, and I would highly recommend checking it out if you are ever in the DC area! I can’t wait to share more of what I am up to in the coming months; until then, be well!

Filed Under: Inside Look at ISH!, Life at ISH

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.

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