International Student House of Washington, D.C.

The International Student House of Washington, D.C., abbreviated as ISH-DC (pronounced /ɪʃ/ ish), is a residence at 1825 R St. NW in the Dupont Circle neighborhood of Washington, D.C., which houses primarily international students and young professionals studying or interning in the city.[3][4] It is run by a nonprofit organization, International Student House Inc.[5] It is home to up to 96 people at any given time and has more than 15,000 alumni.[6] The residence also hosts events for residents[7][8] and outside groups in its great hall, and serves breakfast and dinner to residents during weekdays.[9]

International Student House of Washington, D.C.
Founded1936 (1936)
Type501(c)(3) non-profit
FocusIntercultural education
Location
Coordinates38°54′46″N 77°2′32.4″W
Area served
Worldwide
Members
96 current residents, over 15,000 alumni
Key people
  • Daniel Bremer-Wirtig – Executive Director
  • Eric D. K. Melby – President of the board of trustees
Budget (2018)
US$2 million[1]
Websiteishdc.org
Part ofDupont Circle Historic District (ID78003056)
Designated CPJuly 21, 1978[2]
ISH-DC's great hall hosts a variety of events.

History

ISH-DC was established in 1936 by a group of Quakers as part of the international student house movement spearheaded by the missionary Waldo Stevenson.[10][11] They sought to promote intercultural exchange[12] and to aid international students of color unable to find housing due to racist housing norms prevalent in the city at the time.[10] The group was originally located at 1708 New Hampshire Avenue NW,[13][14] but in 1946, it moved to its present location, a Tudor mansion built in 1912 for Henri Meserve.[10] In 1967, an additional residential building, Van Slyck Hall, was constructed adjacent to the main building, and in the 1980s, ISH-DC purchased a residential building, now named Marpat Hall, located behind the main building.[10] The main building and Marpat Hall are listed as contributing properties to the Dupont Circle Historic District.[15]

Demographics

At full capacity, ISH houses 96 people.[6] The house also has over 15,000 alumni.[6] Over the course of 2018, ISH hosted 194 residents from 48 countries.[16] Geographically, 38% of residents were from Europe, 28% from North America, 23% from Asia, 5% from Africa, 5% from South America, and 1% from Oceania.[16] Most ISH residents are in their 20s, with an average age of 27.[6]

Operations

ISH supplements its income by renting its common spaces to external groups for events.[1] In June 2020, ISH ended its food services contract with Sodexo and switched to a local Nordic restaurant, Mikko.[17]

References
  1. "International Student House, Inc" (PDF). GuideStar. Retrieved 18 June 2020.
  2. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. April 15, 2008.
  3. Austermuhle, Martin (October 31, 2012). "International Student House Offers Roof and Relationships". The Washington Diplomat. Retrieved 22 March 2019.
  4. Ahmad, C. Naseer (July 9, 2016). "International Students House – Nurturing Leaders of Tomorrow". The Diplomatic Courier. Retrieved 22 March 2019.
  5. "International Student House Inc". Charity Navigator. Retrieved 22 March 2019.
  6. "About ISH". International Student House. Retrieved 22 March 2019.
  7. Gawel, Anna. "British Ambassador Fêtes International Student House of D.C." The Washington Diplomat. Retrieved 25 March 2019.
  8. Woods, Marjorie Binford (14 December 1947). "International House Groups Share Christmas Customs". The Washington Post. ProQuest 151964208.
  9. Durrani, Anayat (July 18, 2017). "Find Global Student Community Via International Houses". U.S. News & World Report. Retrieved 22 March 2019.
  10. "Our History". International Student House. Retrieved 22 March 2019.
  11. Mullens, Creston B. (27 February 1937). "Students Link All Nations: Hospitality Extended by Unique House in Washington, Which Is Creating Understanding Among World's People. Peace-Loving Quakers Have Taken Lead". The Evening Star – via Newspapers.com.
  12. "International Student House Cures Bias—Even Alabaman's". The Washington Post. 22 September 1947. p. B1. ProQuest 151919096.
  13. Reynolds, Genevieve (28 April 1940). "Students Live in Peace At International House". The Washington Post. ProQuest 151285204.
  14. Simpson, Anne (27 Oct 1988). "A United Nations of College Students; International House Near Dupont Circle Caters to Foreigners". The Washington Post. ProQuest 139403924.
  15. "Dupont Circle HD Contributing Structures" (PDF). Washington, D.C. Office of Planning. Retrieved 7 August 2020.
  16. "2018 Impact Report" (PDF). International Student House of Washington, D.C. Retrieved 9 October 2019.
  17. "International Student House". Facebook. Retrieved 21 August 2020.
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