I first entered the International Student House (ISH) in September 1974 as a student from the University of Trier, Germany, about to embark on my studies at Georgetown University. I had received information about the House a few days before my departure, not once having seen pictures of the House, assuming I would be living in a run-of-the-mill student residence. To my surprise, I found myself lodging in a historic Tudor-style home.  

For some years I had watched historical events take place in DC, and here I was in the same city that was all over the news, partaking in Sunday afternoon High Tea in the Great Hall! Living in a community of fellow international and U.S. students and interns, it was easy to feel at home in DC and explore the city. 

Annette welcoming residents to her home for a cookout and pool party, and with resident scholars at our annual Global Leadership Awards Dinner

My husband Elias and I had met that fall as fellow residents of International Student House, like many couples before and after us. Fast forward many years, by then having lived and worked in several countries, we moved back to Washington, DC. I joined the ISH Board in the 1990’s, on which I have served as President and in many other roles until now.  Elias and I have made ISH part of our lives and most importantly have welcomed dozens, if not hundreds of residents into our home over the years for cookouts and holiday celebrations.

With the novel coronavirus pandemic upon us, the House for the first time hosting only a quarter of its usual population, and consequently ISH’s finances challenged:

I am one of the Board members challenging you today to help the House continue to be a place where a lifetime of friendships and adventures, like mine, begin.

Join us in this FINAL DAY of our challenge and we will match your gift up to $25,000. We need your help.  To continue to move forward with our mission, it takes all of our greater ISH community of alumni, Board members, and friends.

THANK YOU for joining us during this unprecedented time and I, along with my fellow alumni and Board members, are confident we will be stronger than ever when we get to the other side.

THANKS TO MANY OF YOUR GENEROUS GIFTS...