International Summer Institute

Participants in the International Summer Institute pose for a group photo on the Charles River Boat Cruise.

The Derek Bok Center for Teaching and Learning partners with the Office of Academic Programs to run The Harvard Griffin GSAS Welcomes: International Summer Institute (ISI). This 2-week program is offered in August for new international PhD students at Harvard Griffin GSAS who want to connect with others, activate English-language skills, and settle into the Harvard community prior to their first term.

The ISI is free and rooming in the residence halls is provided. See more about the program.

The 2025 program has been cancelled. For additional resources, contact the Office of Academic Programs.

Program Goals

Build Community: Start your time at Harvard by making friends and connecting with others across departments and disciplines. 

Activate English Language Skills: Gain confidence with your English communication skills in academic and social situations as you settle into your new life at Harvard.

Learn More About Harvard: Explore campus resources, the different Harvard campuses, and Cambridge and Boston to begin to feel at home here. Get to know staff and offices that are here to help you succeed!

Venn diagram with sections "Build Community," "Learn About Harvard," and "Activate English Skills."

Conversation Cohorts

ISI participants pose for a selfie during lunch.

Be part of a conversation cohort! These groups meet throughout the program to have opportunities to connect with others and practice discussion in a small group format. Groups may also meet during program-wide workshops and events. Each group will be led by an upper-year graduate student facilitator.

 

 

 

Site Visits and Socials

Students in the ISI program ride a MBTA bus to a social activity.

Engage in a number of site visits and social events throughout the program!

  • Cambridge, Allston, and Longwood Campus tours
  • Resident Hall events (dinner, movies, ice cream social, stargazing)
  • Charles Riverboat Tour
  • Boston Outings
  • Harvard Museums Exploration
  • BBQ Mixer

Academic Workshops

Sarah Emory gestures with her hands while explaining a concept during a seminar.

These activities are designed to encourage you to build connections across disciplines and departments. Invited guest speakers may include recent Harvard Horizons scholars, Deans, and campus partners. Participants will have the opportunity to explore academic skills including writing, reading strategies, time management, communication skills, as well as learn more about campus resources for PhD students.

 

 

The ISI is a great resource to learn how to navigate academic life in a new country. You will learn about all the resources that the university offers and make friends! This is key to building a support network and having a better experience in the first year (and for the rest of your time at Harvard).

Maricruz Vargas Ramirez
PhD Candidate in Education, Education, 2022 Participant and 2023 Small Group Facilitator

A Sample Day in the International Summer Institute

8:00 am - Wake up in GSAS Graduate Student residence hall and eat breakfast with new friends.

10:00am - 12:00 pm - Attend seminar on Intercultural Communication Skills, with topics like small talk and Harvard classroom culture.

12:15-2:00 pm - Enjoy lunch catered from a local restaurant while meeting with your small conversation cohort, led by a current GSAS PhD student.

2:00-4:30 pm - Attend a workshop led by Harvard's Academic Resource Center to learn more about how they support students.

4:30-7:00 pm - Free time to explore campus, take a rest, or do some shopping.

7:00-8:30 pm - Share dinner with friends and enjoy rooftop stargazing at the Harvard College Observatory.

A group of ISI participants pose for a selfie wearing brightly colored sunglasses.

Being in a program with all international students increases my confidence when speaking and listening in English, and helps me uncover my latent English proficiency. I believe that confidence is the most essential aspect of language acquisition, and ISI is the ideal opportunity for me to gain confidence before beginning my academic career at Harvard.

Sunghyun Cho
PhD Candidate in Biological and Biomedical Sciences, 2023 Participant

Fellowships and Writing Center

The Fellowships & Writing Center (FWC) helps students heighten the impact of their research by refining their written and oral communication skills.

The Advising Project

The Advising Project (TAP) is a multi-faceted initiative dedicated to supporting strong advising relationships at Harvard Griffin GSAS.

Host Program from HIO

The Host Program has provides an opportunity for connection and friendship between Harvard international graduate students who are new to the United States and residents who live in the Boston area.

GSAS Engage

Discover unique opportunities at Harvard Griffin GSAS, from social activities to academic workshops.

Student Center at Harvard Griffin GSAS

The Student Center at Harvard Griffin GSAS offers social, intellectual, and recreational activities designed to help students make friends and connect with others.

Learn About Bok Programs for International PhD Students