.
The online postings and the conversations with the International Students House (ISH) residents, pursuing graduates studies in the Washington area or interning at embassies or international institutions, convey a remarkable optimism despite the challenges facing the world economy. This generation of residents is both engaged and enthusiastic. They are also fortunate to have a place to call ISH a ‘home is where the heart is.’
More than a century ago, Dr. Waldo Stevenson, a visionary missionary living in Philadelphia, had the foresight to address the needs of international students – such as those living at ISH-DC now - arriving from abroad to attend American universities. From one humble abode, a network of about twenty two (22) homes sprang across continents with one united mission: “To provide students of different nationalities and diverse cultures with the opportunity to live and learn together in a community of mutual respect, understanding and international friendship.”
The feeling of mutual and living in a community is felt through some of the online postings of residents like Gizem Torunlar, a graduate student at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. For instance, Torunlar starts with “Hello my dear friends who lately are becoming more and more like a family.” In another posting, Torunlar felt the “difference, which stems from diversity and the pure luck of living in a multi-cultural home.” Prior to coming to ISH-DC, Torunlar worked a journalist and later as the assistant of the Ambassador in the Turkish Embassy of Croatia.
Burakhan Cevik, an ISH-DC resident from Netherlands, wrote: “In the past year I have been reuniting with ISH friends in London, Milan and in my hometown Rotterdam. I will meet with another ISH friend soon in Amsterdam, so the connection continues.”
One current resident wrote on ISH-DC website: “on a regular basis, ISH holds events and conferences with experts and distinguished guests.” As an example, French Ambassador Gérard Araud spoke at ISH-DC on June 23, 2016.
In an open letter to new residents, Katherine Haugh, working for Innovation Network, highlighted seven points, one of which was enjoying music in the Great Hall. In this regards, it is worth mentioning that recently, the Embassy Series held a special concert featuring Christopher Schmitt - a virtuoso classical concert pianist and who performs regularly in ensembles at the White House and DC metropolitan area as a member of the President’s Own US Marine Band.
Commenting on ISH students, Jerome Barry said: “most of the students will be the future leaders of many of the 30 countries represented at ISH.”
One such leader who emerged from the experience of being a resident of ISH-DC is Icelandic Ambassador Geir H. Haarde. He proudly displays in his official residence mementos received from ISH-DC. His leadership role included serving as Iceland’s Prime Minister during tumultuous times. From a speech given by Ambassador Haarde to the World Affairs Council DC, it becomes clear the ISH experience prepared him for the mantle of leadership.
Providing an eclectic environment conducive for helping achieve the aspirations of the future leaders of tomorrow requires commitment as well as generosity. An engaged ISH-DC Board of Directors, comprised of a team of dedicated achievers who feel the need to give back to the community, provide the leadership to keep the ship moving to destination success.
Some Board Members even continue the support for residents after they leave ISH-DC. This can come in the form of guidance or assistance to help open some doors of opportunities through their vast network of friends.
Supporting the ISH-DC Board is an able staff that provides for the care and safety of the residents. In addition, several times during the year, the ISH-DC Board and staff hold events for fund raising, recognition of achievements or just outreach.
The annual Spring Garden Party is an example of a very successful outreach effort. “We had over 40 countries represented by the diplomatic corps,” wrote Katherine Russell, ISH Development and Communications Associate. Among the diplomats were Ambassador Johan Verbeke of Belgium and Ambassador Kim Darroch of United Kingdom. In addition, a number of congressional leaders were in attendance. An event like the annual Spring Party not only helps in the education of residents but also attract supporters of ISH mission.
The success of the collective and collaborative effort of ISH Board Members and the staff can be felt through an online posting of Igor Ramage - of France, who recently completed his LLM at the American University, School of Law - saying: “in all seriousness, and from my own experience, I truly believe the ISH is the best place in DC to land at as an international student or intern."
Photos by Simon Morris.
One current resident wrote on ISH-DC website: “on a regular basis, ISH holds events and conferences with experts and distinguished guests.” As an example, French Ambassador Gérard Araud spoke at ISH-DC on June 23, 2016.
In an open letter to new residents, Katherine Haugh, working for Innovation Network, highlighted seven points, one of which was enjoying music in the Great Hall. In this regards, it is worth mentioning that recently, the Embassy Series held a special concert featuring Christopher Schmitt - a virtuoso classical concert pianist and who performs regularly in ensembles at the White House and DC metropolitan area as a member of the President’s Own US Marine Band.
Commenting on ISH students, Jerome Barry said: “most of the students will be the future leaders of many of the 30 countries represented at ISH.”
One such leader who emerged from the experience of being a resident of ISH-DC is Icelandic Ambassador Geir H. Haarde. He proudly displays in his official residence mementos received from ISH-DC. His leadership role included serving as Iceland’s Prime Minister during tumultuous times. From a speech given by Ambassador Haarde to the World Affairs Council DC, it becomes clear the ISH experience prepared him for the mantle of leadership.
Providing an eclectic environment conducive for helping achieve the aspirations of the future leaders of tomorrow requires commitment as well as generosity. An engaged ISH-DC Board of Directors, comprised of a team of dedicated achievers who feel the need to give back to the community, provide the leadership to keep the ship moving to destination success.
Some Board Members even continue the support for residents after they leave ISH-DC. This can come in the form of guidance or assistance to help open some doors of opportunities through their vast network of friends.
Supporting the ISH-DC Board is an able staff that provides for the care and safety of the residents. In addition, several times during the year, the ISH-DC Board and staff hold events for fund raising, recognition of achievements or just outreach.
The annual Spring Garden Party is an example of a very successful outreach effort. “We had over 40 countries represented by the diplomatic corps,” wrote Katherine Russell, ISH Development and Communications Associate. Among the diplomats were Ambassador Johan Verbeke of Belgium and Ambassador Kim Darroch of United Kingdom. In addition, a number of congressional leaders were in attendance. An event like the annual Spring Party not only helps in the education of residents but also attract supporters of ISH mission.
The success of the collective and collaborative effort of ISH Board Members and the staff can be felt through an online posting of Igor Ramage - of France, who recently completed his LLM at the American University, School of Law - saying: “in all seriousness, and from my own experience, I truly believe the ISH is the best place in DC to land at as an international student or intern."
Photos by Simon Morris.The views presented in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily represent the views of any other organization.
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International Students House – Nurturing Leaders of Tomorrow
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July 9, 2016
The online postings and the conversations with the International Students House (ISH) residents, pursuing graduates studies in the Washington area or interning at embassies or international institutions, convey a remarkable optimism despite the challenges facing the world economy. This generation of residents is both engaged and enthusiastic. They are also fortunate to have a place to call ISH a ‘home is where the heart is.’
More than a century ago, Dr. Waldo Stevenson, a visionary missionary living in Philadelphia, had the foresight to address the needs of international students – such as those living at ISH-DC now - arriving from abroad to attend American universities. From one humble abode, a network of about twenty two (22) homes sprang across continents with one united mission: “To provide students of different nationalities and diverse cultures with the opportunity to live and learn together in a community of mutual respect, understanding and international friendship.”
The feeling of mutual and living in a community is felt through some of the online postings of residents like Gizem Torunlar, a graduate student at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. For instance, Torunlar starts with “Hello my dear friends who lately are becoming more and more like a family.” In another posting, Torunlar felt the “difference, which stems from diversity and the pure luck of living in a multi-cultural home.” Prior to coming to ISH-DC, Torunlar worked a journalist and later as the assistant of the Ambassador in the Turkish Embassy of Croatia.
Burakhan Cevik, an ISH-DC resident from Netherlands, wrote: “In the past year I have been reuniting with ISH friends in London, Milan and in my hometown Rotterdam. I will meet with another ISH friend soon in Amsterdam, so the connection continues.”
One current resident wrote on ISH-DC website: “on a regular basis, ISH holds events and conferences with experts and distinguished guests.” As an example, French Ambassador Gérard Araud spoke at ISH-DC on June 23, 2016.
In an open letter to new residents, Katherine Haugh, working for Innovation Network, highlighted seven points, one of which was enjoying music in the Great Hall. In this regards, it is worth mentioning that recently, the Embassy Series held a special concert featuring Christopher Schmitt - a virtuoso classical concert pianist and who performs regularly in ensembles at the White House and DC metropolitan area as a member of the President’s Own US Marine Band.
Commenting on ISH students, Jerome Barry said: “most of the students will be the future leaders of many of the 30 countries represented at ISH.”
One such leader who emerged from the experience of being a resident of ISH-DC is Icelandic Ambassador Geir H. Haarde. He proudly displays in his official residence mementos received from ISH-DC. His leadership role included serving as Iceland’s Prime Minister during tumultuous times. From a speech given by Ambassador Haarde to the World Affairs Council DC, it becomes clear the ISH experience prepared him for the mantle of leadership.
Providing an eclectic environment conducive for helping achieve the aspirations of the future leaders of tomorrow requires commitment as well as generosity. An engaged ISH-DC Board of Directors, comprised of a team of dedicated achievers who feel the need to give back to the community, provide the leadership to keep the ship moving to destination success.
Some Board Members even continue the support for residents after they leave ISH-DC. This can come in the form of guidance or assistance to help open some doors of opportunities through their vast network of friends.
Supporting the ISH-DC Board is an able staff that provides for the care and safety of the residents. In addition, several times during the year, the ISH-DC Board and staff hold events for fund raising, recognition of achievements or just outreach.
The annual Spring Garden Party is an example of a very successful outreach effort. “We had over 40 countries represented by the diplomatic corps,” wrote Katherine Russell, ISH Development and Communications Associate. Among the diplomats were Ambassador Johan Verbeke of Belgium and Ambassador Kim Darroch of United Kingdom. In addition, a number of congressional leaders were in attendance. An event like the annual Spring Party not only helps in the education of residents but also attract supporters of ISH mission.
The success of the collective and collaborative effort of ISH Board Members and the staff can be felt through an online posting of Igor Ramage - of France, who recently completed his LLM at the American University, School of Law - saying: “in all seriousness, and from my own experience, I truly believe the ISH is the best place in DC to land at as an international student or intern."
Photos by Simon Morris.
One current resident wrote on ISH-DC website: “on a regular basis, ISH holds events and conferences with experts and distinguished guests.” As an example, French Ambassador Gérard Araud spoke at ISH-DC on June 23, 2016.
In an open letter to new residents, Katherine Haugh, working for Innovation Network, highlighted seven points, one of which was enjoying music in the Great Hall. In this regards, it is worth mentioning that recently, the Embassy Series held a special concert featuring Christopher Schmitt - a virtuoso classical concert pianist and who performs regularly in ensembles at the White House and DC metropolitan area as a member of the President’s Own US Marine Band.
Commenting on ISH students, Jerome Barry said: “most of the students will be the future leaders of many of the 30 countries represented at ISH.”
One such leader who emerged from the experience of being a resident of ISH-DC is Icelandic Ambassador Geir H. Haarde. He proudly displays in his official residence mementos received from ISH-DC. His leadership role included serving as Iceland’s Prime Minister during tumultuous times. From a speech given by Ambassador Haarde to the World Affairs Council DC, it becomes clear the ISH experience prepared him for the mantle of leadership.
Providing an eclectic environment conducive for helping achieve the aspirations of the future leaders of tomorrow requires commitment as well as generosity. An engaged ISH-DC Board of Directors, comprised of a team of dedicated achievers who feel the need to give back to the community, provide the leadership to keep the ship moving to destination success.
Some Board Members even continue the support for residents after they leave ISH-DC. This can come in the form of guidance or assistance to help open some doors of opportunities through their vast network of friends.
Supporting the ISH-DC Board is an able staff that provides for the care and safety of the residents. In addition, several times during the year, the ISH-DC Board and staff hold events for fund raising, recognition of achievements or just outreach.
The annual Spring Garden Party is an example of a very successful outreach effort. “We had over 40 countries represented by the diplomatic corps,” wrote Katherine Russell, ISH Development and Communications Associate. Among the diplomats were Ambassador Johan Verbeke of Belgium and Ambassador Kim Darroch of United Kingdom. In addition, a number of congressional leaders were in attendance. An event like the annual Spring Party not only helps in the education of residents but also attract supporters of ISH mission.
The success of the collective and collaborative effort of ISH Board Members and the staff can be felt through an online posting of Igor Ramage - of France, who recently completed his LLM at the American University, School of Law - saying: “in all seriousness, and from my own experience, I truly believe the ISH is the best place in DC to land at as an international student or intern."
Photos by Simon Morris.The views presented in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily represent the views of any other organization.
