The ISO is extremely excited to have students back on-campus this Fall 2021 semester. We hope everyone is settling in well as you complete the first week of coursework. 

Please do not hesitate to contact the ISO by email (iso-help@mit.edu) or by phone (617-253-3795), or contact your ISO Advisor directly, if we can be of any assistance. 

• First, do NOT provide any information about yourself, for identity-protection purposes.
• Second, remain calm and ask the person for as many details as possible. For example, their name, government ID number or badge number, their phone number, what branch of the government they work for, and the reason why they are contacting you. Tell them you are happy to get back to them after you speak to the ISO.
• Third, contact the ISO immediately, by phone, email, or in person. We can help you determine if the official is legitimate or if it's a scam. If the official is legitimate, we can help you navigate the process.  

Does the idea of networking stress you out? Or worse, do you avoid it because it sounds so unpleasant? In this workshop, we’ll lay out the basics of networking, informational interviewing, and the expectations for professional relationships in the U.S. You’ll learn why a strong basis is crucial for your career first steps and how to go about mastering the art of networking in the US. 
 

This workshop is a collaboration of the International Students Office (ISO) and Career Advising and Professional Development (CAPD), as part of the Career Exploration Series in CAPD.  
 
Sign up required on Handshake: 
https://app.joinhandshake.com/events

• UNVACCINATED Graduate Students are allowed to participate in Grad orientation activities (indoors and outdoors) with others and must wear face covers at all times. Unvaccinated grads should act with an abundance of caution and limit indoor activities with others (especially eating) until fully vaccinated
• MASK  REQUIREMENT: Masks  are to be worn during all GSC Grad Orientation indoor events and are recommend for outdoor events when not eating. Attendees must have the Atlas Covid App Pass on their phone
• ATTENDEE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENT : To manage event room capacities and event contact tracing guidelines, all attending students must pre-register for events.  Attending incoming Grads must have an active Atlas Covid Pass on their phones. For contact tracing purposes, grads must register for each event in the provided links

• Digital diplomas are not a replacement for MIT’s traditional paper diploma. Everyone will also receive a physical diploma.
• Please go to the degree application to update your mailing address and delivery preference. We will begin sending paper diplomas the week of September 27.

• GRADUATE GRAD ACTIVITY & RESOURCE FAIR [in-person]

• MIT ART TOUR in person

• COUPLES and FAMILIES BOSTON SCAVENGER HUNT in person

• NEWCOMER OFFICE HOURS on Zoom

• WEEKLY WEDNESDAY MEETINGS on Zoom

• PRIVATE CONSULTS on Zoom and in person

Westgate is offering Zumba classes for the MIT community. The classes are online and free of charge. We would like to thank the MIT GSC Funding Board for sponsoring this event.

Mondays at 7:30 PM, starting on July 19 and ending on October 4, 2021.

Please sign-up to receive the Zoom link.

Westgate is offering Yoga classes for the MIT community. The classes are online and free of charge. We would like to thank the MIT GSC Funding Board for sponsoring this event. Thursdays at 7:30 PM, starting on August 12 and ending on October 28, 2021.

Please sign-up to receive the Zoom link.

Instead of an “all-or-nothing” approach to self-care, you can choose SOMEthing from the list and do SOME of it today. It doesn’t have to be perfect, it just has to work for you. SOME activities signal to your body and mind that you are listening to, appreciating, and taking care of yourself. 
 

S is for Sleep: Sleep experts recommend creating a bedtime routine that allows the body and brain to slow down and prepare for sleep. Bedtime Unwind is a 13-minute routine which includes three simple stretches to relax before bed - or anytime you could use a mind-body break. 
Check out Bedtime Unwind here.
 

O is for Outdoors: An outdoor walk can boost creativity and focus. A study has found that both walking and being outside could lead to more creative thinking. While the association is not well understood, it is an easy-to-implement strategy.
 

M is for Mindfulness: Mindfulness practice: You have to eat anyway - might as well enjoy it mindfully! To start, simply look away from any technology and look directly at your food for a moment. Notice color and texture. Next, take in aroma. Finally, take one mindful bite and chew slowly and mindfully. Pay extra attention to the genius of your tongue.
 

E is for Exercise: You've probably heard this one a lot, but let this be another sign for you to workout while watching TV. You can do push-ups, crunches, jumping jacks, and squats while focusing on your show. Want an extra nudge? Bring your jump rope, dumbbells, resistance bands, or any other fitness tools near your TV to help remind you to use them.