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

Snow! Well, Almost

December 6, 2019 by Jasmine Zamprogno

It was about 4:00 pm on a Tuesday afternoon, after two bitterly cold days in Washington, DC when the call went out on International Student House’s group chat: “It’s snowing!”

I was in class, but I just had to see for myself, so I snuck a quick look out the window. Nothing.

There was similar discontent in the group chat.

“Where?”

“When?”

I looked again – and there, sure enough, floating in the wind, little flakes of snow. I was ecstatic. Around DC, ISH residents – students and interns alike, scattered across the city – were also pressed up against the windows, commenting on their view of the first snow of the seasons. A Canadian in the house made the point that a few flakes in the breeze could hardly be considered snow. But for an Australian, it made my heart sing.

Which brings me to the point of this blog post: a source of international discussion I’m sure, and certainly a discussion both at breakfast and dinner, day in and day out at ISH: the weather.

When I arrived at ISH in August it was to an oppressive heat even I could not have envisaged. And so, the conversations were: how high the temperature had reached that day, how appropriate sleeveless clothes were for formal occasions and how to handle the mosquitos. I discovered in my sightseeing expeditions that fountains at monuments weren’t just for show, they were a legitimate means of cooling off.

Summer means cooling off at the World War II Memorial

Then, for a brief moment, DC experienced the magical colours of fall. True to theme, I tried some pumpkin-flavoured things and ventured out onto the streets of the Georgetown neighbourhood, hoping to capture a photo of the leaves in those classic red and orange hues. In the dining hall at ISH it became peak university merchandise season: everyone had a jumper (sweater) bearing their institution’s name, and around a table sat George Washington, John Hopkins, American and Georgetown.

Fall Colours

As quickly as it had appeared, fall disappeared, and gave way to winter. Let me tell you I was initially none too happy about it. I lost track of the number of times I told people that it doesn’t get cold in Australia – no really! I hadn’t worn a winter coat in years. I have gloves, a scarf, a beanie, but I honestly wasn’t quite sure what temperature called for them (I’m still figuring this out). I have no idea how to layer effectively, what temperature to set a heater to and most importantly, how to keep food bought on Connecticut Avenue warm as I make the mad dash back to ISH.

I think I am slowly adjusting though, and I am certainly enjoying the fact that it’s acceptable to wear my fuzzy cat slippers around the house and drink multiple cups of tea.

Of course, most importantly, I wait in eager anticipation of our next snow fall.

Cold mornings can’t stop me from getting my flat white coffee fix!

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

Jasmine Zamprogno

About Jasmine Zamprogno

Country: Australia
University: Georgetown Law

Jasmine was born and raised in Australia and is completing her Master of Laws at Georgetown University on a General Merit Scholarship. Jasmine obtained her Bachelor of Laws with Honours from the University of Queensland, where she served on the executive committees of Union College, the University of Queensland Law Society, and the Justice and the Law Society. After graduating, Jasmine clerked for a judge of the Queensland Supreme Court and worked as a corporate lawyer for a national firm in Australia, specializing in construction litigation.

Jasmine is hoping that her Master’s degree will allow her to move into a career in public interest law and is looking forward to learning from renowned professors and esteemed members of the DC legal community.

She is also excited to experience her first ever ‘Fall’ and is hoping to join the ‘DC Dragons’ netball club to assist in running netball competitions. She can be found catching up on Gilmore Girls; reviewing her Lonely Planet guide to DC in order make the most informed food choices; and loudly espousing the unrivaled merits of Australian coffee.

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