Campus Resources
Summary
This page compiles information to help Harvard international students and scholars get settled around the University, and take advantage of the resources that Harvard has to offer.
Academic Life
These suggestions and explanations are designed to help students and scholars become accustomed to the U.S. academic environment. Do not hesitate to ask questions of fellow students, academic advisors, teaching assistants, professors, or HIO staff members.
Have reasonable expectations
- Tasks may take longer to do at first. A period of adjustment is needed when studying in a new academic system.
- The first term may not be the time to take extra or particularly difficult courses.
Choose your courses wisely
- Choose a combination of more and less demanding courses. Look to see how many papers and exams are required. Have a clear understanding about the role of the reading assignments in a course. In some courses, the reading is central; read the texts closely and know the material for exams. In other courses, readings may be supplementary or optional. Most students can't thoroughly read everything that is assigned. Prioritization is helpful: read the most important material first and carefully; then skim the less important assignments (See Preparation below).
- Taking too many courses may result in feelings of discouragement and poor academic performance.
Avoid procrastination
- Study hard from the start and keep up with reading assignments. If you fall behind in the beginning you will spend the rest of the semester trying to catch up.
- Plan your time; make a schedule and keep it.
- Learn to prioritize and always set some time aside to socialize and take a break from your studies.
Talk with instructors
- Asking for clarification or help early in the semester from the professor.
- There is no shame in not understanding!
- Visiting a professor's office hours or making an appointment to see a professor might be a better way to address your concerns.
- Asking questions immediately following a lecture is best for questions related to the lecture just given.
- When a student is not doing well, it is expected that the student will contact the professor.
- Organizing or being part of a study group can be very helpful when dealing with a large volume of work.
Understanding the academic system in the United States
- Memorizing large quantities of material is not usually very important.
- Keep an open mind; be receptive to other ways of thinking during class discussions.
- The emphasis in the U.S. is on thinking for oneself.
- Use information from many sources.
The Academic Resource Center (ARC) offers workshops, peer-tutoring, academic coaching, and study spaces. Harvard College, GSAS, GSE, and KSG students can access this resource. If students don't qualify to use the ARC they can inquire with their respective schools to see if similar services are offered.
The Barker Center offers free services to students to help them improve their writing skills and is staffed by undergraduate peer tutors. Some staff members are trained specifically to assist those for whom English is a second language. Note: the Center does not offer proofreading services. This service is available to undergraduates and GSAS students.
The Derek Bok Center for Teaching and Learning seeks to create transformational learning experiences for faculty, graduate students, and undergraduates in Harvard's Faculty of Arts and Sciences. The Bok Center's Professional Communication Program for International Teachers and Scholars offers international graduate students, TFs and scholars in FAS the opportunity to develop their speaking, teaching and cultural skills for the Harvard environment.
The Derek Bok Center also offers the online program Professional Communication for International Scholars as a resource to anyone with a HarvardKey. It provides an overview of academic culture and communication at Harvard and covers English language skills (speaking, listening, writing, and reading) and cross-cultural communication skills. Students and scholars can engage with materials in different areas of communication, complete a variety of tasks to become aware of their strengths and weaknesses as communicators, and find additional resources through this online program.
Active participation by students
- Being silent in class can be interpreted as lack of interest or being unprepared for class.
- Some courses will have sections devoted to discussion. Sections are smaller group meetings often taught by teaching fellows which focus on discussions of the materials already covered in the bigger lecture.
Taking responsibility and being self-motivated
- Attendance is not always taken; it depends on the course and the teacher.
- Topics covered in the lecture but not in the reading may be on exams.
- In some courses students will do most of the work with the professor as a guide.
Informality
- Sometimes relationships between students and professors will seem casual.
- Only address a professor by their first name if you have been invited to do so.
- Although the behavior with the professor is relaxed it does not mean you are equals in the academic setting.
- Behavior of U.S. students may seem disrespectful. It is not uncommon for students to eat or drink while a class is in session.
- Students may be late for class or leave early (discreetly).
Diverse teaching styles
- Some professors will be formal; others informal.
- Some will require more participation from students; others less.
- Students need to be ready to defend their views.
There are thirteen professional schools plus the College at Harvard University. Each school has its own registrar's office that produces an online course catalog. The catalog has course information as well as graduation requirements, information pertaining to credits, grades, deadlines, etc. Cross-registration with other schools may also be possible.
Academic year
The fall term (semester) of late August/September through December, and the spring term of January through mid-May generally constitute the academic year.
Course credits
The course credits are a system schools create to keep track of the courses students have taken and need to complete to obtain their degree. The registrar's office in each school is a good source for this information.
Exams
Tests are given mid-way through or at the end of the term. They may call for specific, short replies or for longer responses in the form of essays. Often examinations are a combination of both forms.
- Objective questions have only one right answer and include true or false, sentence completion ("fill in the blanks"), multiple-choices, and matching. They cover a broad range of material and demand a particular type of study.
- Many exams include one or two questions requiring essays of several pages, or several questions requiring only a paragraph or two. Essay questions generally specify how to approach the material. Terms often used in essay questions are analyze, compare and contrast, criticize, define, describe, discuss, evaluate, explain, illustrate, interpret, justify, outline, prove, review, summarize, and trace. Professors or academic advisors can provide clarification on these terms.
- The exam room is monitored by proctors who enforce instructions given by the professor; such instructions may not allow the use of books or other resources.
- Talking during examinations, bringing written notes into exams (unless the professor has specified otherwise), copying from another student, or having someone else do your work is considered cheating. Please be aware that something as simple as asking to borrow another student's calculator during an examination may be misunderstood. Penalties for cheating can result in expulsion from the University.
Full-time Program
As an international student you are required to maintain full-time registered student status each semester. Consult with your Registrar's Office for definition of full-time status at your school.
Grades
Each school at Harvard has a different system for grading its students. It is imperative you understand the system in your school. For clarification contact your academic advisor or staff in the registrar's office.
Lectures
The most common method of instruction in the United States is lectures supplemented by classroom discussion (small classes called sections), by reading assignments in textbooks, journals, or library books, and by periodic written assignments.
Office Hours
Professors often set aside time for talking to their students. If there isn't time or opportunity to raise questions in class, students may see their professors privately during their office hours or by making an appointment for another convenient time. Professors usually announce their office hours at the first meeting of class.
Preparation
Preparation will take about two to three hours per one hour of classroom time. This time would be devoted to reviewing class notes and texts, writing down questions for discussion, reading in advance the assigned material, and completing homework assignments, including term papers.
Seminar
A seminar is a small class on specialized topics at the advanced undergraduate or graduate level. It is likely to be devoted entirely to discussion. Students are often required to prepare presentations based on their independent reading and research.
Syllabus
A syllabus is a list describing the course objectives, materials to be covered, due dates for assignments, schedule of exams and reference reading. It may also describe the professor's office location and office hours. It is imperative that students read the syllabus.
Take-home examination
Questions to be answered in the form of written essays outside of class hours, using resource materials. It must be taken alone, not in collaboration with fellow students.
Term Papers
A comprehensive paper based on study or research that has been done in the library or laboratory. Professors will usually assign such a paper in the early part of the course. Students are expected to work on it throughout the term and submit it near the end of the term. The grade received on the paper may be very important in determining the course grade. Questions about a particular term paper assignment should be discussed with your professor.
Transcript
The transcript is the official record of the courses students have registered for and the grades received in them. It is maintained in the registrar's office of the respective school. Students should receive a copy once a year. Official copies may also be ordered for a fee.
Trust
Any violation of trust can have serious consequences.
- It could mean failure of an exam, paper, or course.
- It could be part of a student's record.
- It could mean suspension or expulsion.
Plagiarism
- Using others' words and/or ideas as your own.
- When using someone else's words and/or ideas, you must cite the source.
- Cite the source correctly.
- Even if you don't use the exact words, using someone's ideas without giving them credit is plagiarism.
- Harvard College has developed a helpful guide for avoiding plagiarism.
Cheating
- Having someone else write your paper
- Having another person do your take-home exam
- Getting answers from someone else during an exam
- Although students may, and sometimes are, encouraged to work together in study groups, each student should do their own homework.
Harvard's network infrastructure is a vital University asset. It enables the academic and research activities of the various Schools and faculties; fosters informed communication with colleagues on campus and around the world; transfers medical images that assist in patient diagnosis; provides remote building monitoring; facilitates the day to day business of education at Harvard; and supports our residential community's personal networking interests. Access to the Harvard network is provided to faculty, staff, and students primarily to support these and other University mission-related endeavor. For more information regarding these policies, please go to the DMCA website or view their Annual Copyright Disclosure.
Campus Resources
Students, faculty, scholars, and staff can use the athletic facilities by showing their Harvard ID. They need to check with Harvard Athletics regarding how their family members can access the facilities. Check the Harvard Recreation website for more information regarding the facilities, membership options, and prices.
Many students access some form of counseling service during their stay at Harvard. Some of these organizations work with specific academic or personal concerns while other counseling groups are available to discuss anything you might want to talk about without requiring continued attendance. All of the personal counseling services are completely confidential. If seeking help at a formal counseling center is uncomfortable for you, there are informal peer-support services or hotlines that you can access.
University Health Services
For students who are on the Harvard Student and Affiliate Health Plan, the University Health Services (HUHS) staff offers help and guidance with a variety of adjustment issues. Since family and close friends from one's home country are not around, it may be helpful to consult a mental health professional when dealing with issues of adjustment, depression, or simply feeling overwhelmed. HUHS also offers workshops, peer and group counseling, and other resources to students through Counseling and Mental Health Services (CAMHS).
CAMHS Cares Hotline and TimelyCare
The CAMHS Cares line 617-495-2042 is a support line that operates 24 hours a day/7 days a week for Harvard students who have mental health concerns, whether they are in immediate distress or not, on-campus or elsewhere.
At all times, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, students can follow the prompts to speak directly with a CAMHS Cares Counselor about an urgent concern or if they just need to talk to someone about a difficult challenge or mental health issue they are facing. Students can call about any concern - it does not have to be an emergency.
TimelyCare is a virtual telehealth and wellbeing platform available to Harvard students who have paid the Student Health Fee. It offers access to telehealth counseling sessions, peer-to-peer support, health coaching, and wellness tips.
Center for Wellness and Health Promotion
The mission of the Center for Wellness and Health Promotion is "to create a Harvard community where all members value wellbeing. We cultivate individual and collective growth through educational experiences that develop and enhance holistic health." The Center offers a wide range of workshops, services, and classes available to all Harvard community members (including family members). Schedule a massage or acupuncture appointment; try one of their exercise, meditation, or yoga classes.
Asian International Students Support Group
The Asian International Students Support Group is brought to you by Counseling and Mental Health Services (CAMHS), and provides a safe space for Asian students of all ethnicities to come to share their experiences and concerns, find support, and learn skills and strategies to help them manage in a time of uncertainty and change.
Please contact Wenhui Yang, LMHC with your Harvard ID number for more information and to obtain the Zoom link.
Harvard Chaplains
Harvard Chaplains are a professional community of more than 40 chaplains representing many of the world’s religious, spiritual, and ethical traditions, united in their commitment to serving the spiritual needs of the students, faculty, and staff of Harvard.
The Vivian Allen International Student Emergency Funds
The Vivian B. Allen Fund provides emergency funds to full-time financially needy international students. The Fund is not a regular financial aid source, but provides emergency assistance to students. Examples of how the fund might be used include payment of uninsured dental expenses or travel grants for family emergencies. Eligible students must contact the Financial Aid Office at their schools for further information and application forms.
While working or studying abroad, among the other priceless possibilities that lie before you, the chance to make lifelong friends from the United States and around the world is one of the greatest. While here in the U.S., thousands of miles from home, these special people become not only your friends in the traditional sense, but also your family in many ways.
The Harvard Worldwide website showcases Harvard's teaching and research activities across the globe as well as here on-campus.
While getting to know the people in your program, department or school is a great start, some students and scholars may long to meet locals, students or scholars in other fields of study or even long-term expats living in the region. This is great for getting a more well-rounded US exchange experience and for learning more about your temporary home. We hope this section will give you some resources where this can be achieved.
Libraries
The Harvard University Library comprises the Harvard College libraries, each professional school's library, and other smaller libraries and collections. Widener Library is the largest building in the library system and is located in Harvard Yard. Registered students and scholars use their Harvard ID cards as library cards. You can find materials across the library's collections in their online catalog searchtool, HOLLIS. Contact each library to inquire about their tours.
Spouses or qualified domestic partners of students and scholars in the Harvard community may apply for borrowing privileges at Widener Library.
Harvard Museums
The Harvard University Museums cover the fields of art, science and culture. All the museums are free to anyone with a valid Harvard ID or a Special Borrower's card. The Harvard Art Museums are free to all visitors. Other collections that may be visited include the Semitic Museum, the Collection of Historical Scientific Instruments, and the Arnold Arboretum.
Harvard University Events Calendar lists special events and exhibits at Harvard each week.
The University offers many eating facilities on campus. Harvard University Dining Services (HUDS) manages the dining halls in the undergraduate students' houses (dormitories) and also manages dining halls for graduate students as well as other cafes throughout the campus. During University vacations, many operations have modified hours or are closed, so it is helpful to check them individually.
Other meal alternatives on campus include:
- Hillel House Hillel House serves kosher meals.
- The Faculty Club Please check their website to determine if you are eligible (must be Harvard faculty or staff).
Generally speaking, graduate students may only dine in undergraduate dining halls as a guest of a resident student or member of the House community. Prior permission from the House Administrator or Faculty Dean is encouraged.
Harvard has a rich variety of opportunities for religious participation. During the academic year chapel services are held every weekday morning from 8:45 to 9:00 and on Sundays at 11:00 in the morning at the University's non-denominational Memorial Church (617-495-5508), located in Harvard Yard. The weekday service normally includes a short address by a member of the Harvard community. From time to time, religious leaders of various denominations throughout the United States are invited to preach.
Schedules for services, concerts, group meetings, and lectures are announced in the Harvard Gazette. In addition, the Harvard Chaplains has an association of chaplains who work together in interfaith ministry for the Harvard community and who offer special programs of worship, discussion, and personal counseling to Harvard students, faculty, and staff of many faiths and traditions. They will also provide chaplains for weddings, baptisms, and memorial services.