A Community of International Women
The Harvard International Office (HIO), in cooperation with Harvard Neighbors, sponsors a group for international
women who are part of the Harvard community. Most members are wives or partners of international students and
scholars. The group meets every week during term time and somewhat less frequently in the summer. Participants
have found the friendships that they have made through this group to be among their most important ties at
Harvard. Schedules for the group’s activities are available at the HIO or on the HIO web site at
www.hio.harvard.edu (Please note that you must join Harvard Neighbors
in order to be a member of this group. See below for Harvard Neighbors.)
Harvard Neighbors
Harvard Neighbors is an organization open to Harvard faculty and staff and their spouses. Spouses of
international students who would like to participate in the Community of International Women program are also
welcome to join Harvard Neighbors. For more than 100 years, Harvard Neighbors has helped the
Harvard community to promote friendly connections among its diverse parts. Members get to know each other through
participation in interest groups and special activities. Membership and program information is available on its web site at
http://www.neighbors.harvard.edu/index.html.
Harvard Student Spouses and Partners Association (HSSPA)
HSSPA is an organization open to spouses and partners of all Harvard students. Since 1896 it has provided a way
for its members to make friends, find intellectual stimulation, and, most of all, feel a sense of belonging within
the University. Its web site is http://www.hsspa.harvard.edu.
HSSPA’s
Spouses Support Group is a volunteer based group to support spouses and partners of Harvard students and postdocs. It
is a great opportunity to get together once a week to learn from others, exchange your experiences at Harvard and make
new friends. To receive a weekly announcement about meetings please send an email to
spousessupport@gmail.com.
Library Privileges
Spouses or qualified domestic partners of students and scholars in the Harvard community may apply for borrowing
privileges at a number of the University’s many libraries. To apply for a library card, take the Harvard ID card
of the Harvard affiliate (or a copy of the ID card) and your own passport to the privileges desk on the first floor
(Room 130) of the Widener Library. If your family name is not the same as that of your spouse or partner, you will
need either proof of marriage or evidence that you live together. The cost for a library card is $5; please have
exact change or a check. For further information telephone 495-4166.
Auditing or “Sitting In” on Courses
Adult family members of international students and scholars may sit in on regular lecture courses in the Faculty of
Arts and Sciences (FAS) and some of the other graduate schools, at the discretion of the faculty member.
Arrangements for auditing are very informal. Choose the course by first consulting the FAS course catalog
available for a fee at the Harvard Cooperative Society (Harvard Coop) in Harvard Square or on line at
www.fas.harvard.edu/registrar. Attend the first lecture. After it
is over, introduce yourself to the professor, explain your status at Harvard and ask that you be allowed to audit the
course. This privilege does not apply to small seminars or language courses.
English Classes
The HIO has a flyer listing three different types of organizations that offer English classes in the Boston/Cambridge
area. Please click here to view the flyer.
Information About Schooling for Children
The HIO has flyers giving information about enrolling children in public or private schools. They are available on
the HIO web site at
http://www.hio.harvard.edu/students_scholars/partners_families/.
Volunteer Opportunities
Many institutions, especially those that operate on a non-profit basis, depend on the goodwill of people who
contribute their skills and time without pay. Volunteering is an opportunity to become involved in the local
community, to meet people from outside the University, and to learn something about American society. Volunteering
may also provide a way to keep active in a professional area when paid employment is not a possibility. Consult
the web site
www.volunteersolutions.org/boston/volunteer for some volunteer possibilities.