MS&PC Stories

I didn't know anyone when I arrived in Cambridge and joining the MS&PC meant I had access to events and ways to meet people  which led me to meeting Jennifer and joining the Italian speaking group from LCE as well. I had access to a lot of information that helped me to understand job seeking in the US (being from Europe), Jennifer helped me to prepare for interviews and was always super supportive and positive which was refreshing. 

My first two years at MIT would not have been the same without MS&PC. I received support to navigate the job market, to integrate, and to make dear friends — all while the only person I knew (my husband) was fully immersed in the demanding early years of his PhD. I now work at MIT, and this transition only happened because of the support I received in my first years from MS&PC.

I am a gender studies researcher. It is impossible to discuss gender and reproductive labor at MIT without recognizing the contributions of MIT Spouses & Partners Connect. MSPC makes MIT research possible by supporting those who are unpaid for coming here, partners with their care for their children.

I got to meet and feel part of the MIT community, which is the only community I'm a part of since moving to Cambridge with my partner. I will be very sad to have this wonderful community shut down, as I don't know many other people in the Boston area (moved here from abroad). 

It has provided a life saving community as we navigate a new country and challenges associated with being a newcomer at MIT.

Finding friends in a new city during COVID time was only possible through zoom meetings which were organised by MS&PC. Relaxing on a Friday evening at the pub night or on a Saturday afternoon at the barbeque helped me to gather new energy for a new week full of work. 

When my husband got admission at MIT, I was recovering from illness. The decision to move from my country to the USA was overwhelming to say the least. However, even before I moved there, I found out about the Spouses and Partners Program. I connected with Jennifer who immediately filled my anxious heart with hope. 

She was amongst the first few who helped me make MIT home. Volunteering with them gave me a sense of purpose. The MS&PC weekly meetings, events, and outings, helped me create a family that spans the globe now. 

Jennifer and her work helped me remember that it did not matter who we were or where we came from. The emotions we experienced, the insecurity we felt, the support we craved, the worth we sought, was common to all humans across the globe. No one was, or is, meant to walk on this journey alone. We are all connected, and in this connection exists the possibility of hope, growth and inspiration. 

MS&PC connected me to people who could help me in my career. I was looking for potential internship/observations to support applications and MS&PC connected me to people at MIT and asked around the area for potential opportunities. Vika's suggestions and the leads she provided helped me to get a better perspective of the situation and helped me navigate the path to residency. I also got support from MS&PC for interview preparations which was quite useful.

This is my first time living abroad. When I arrived here, I attended office hours, and Jennifer and Vika shared some helpful information with me, which made me feel relieved.

After that, I joined many activities like Coffee Hour and Language Exchange. Among them, Crafternoon has been one of my favorites.

Through these activities, I’ve made many friends and had a lot of happy moments.

It has helped so many of us spouses and partners of the Sloan Fellow community by providing us with somewhere to meet others, fun activities to do while we navigated our '1 year' at MIT.

Finding new long-lasting friends.

I met ALL my friends in the US there, and they helped me with applications and navigating life as a new resident.

As someone who arrived at MIT as an international postdoc with a partner, I can personally attest to how valuable these programs have been to both of us. For many international postdocs, these initiatives provide essential support and a sense of community during what can be an overwhelming transition. Especially in times like these, I believe it's crucial to uphold MIT’s values of Belonging and Community—principles that make this institution not just world-class in research, but also a welcoming home for people from all backgrounds.

I was a young, new father who left everything we knew (house, job, family) so my wife could attend MIT. Moving to a new, large city with a baby as a new stay at home father was quite hard to navigate. Jennifer was instrumental is connecting me with other parents and helping find opportunities for engagement with people for myself and my baby. It is hard to imagine taking this program away from other people who were once in a position like me. Having connections and play groups made MIT possible for us as a young family.

When I moved to Boston with my husband, MS&PC was incredibly valuable to me. On the one hand, I was able to make connections through the weekly meetings, and it also gave me something meaningful to do while I wasn't working yet. Vika also connected me with some spouses from my home country, which was especially valuable. We’re still in touch today.

This program was extremely important to me because it’s not easy to arrive and settle in a new country. They helped me a lot in making me feel comfortable there. The events, such as getting information about how the healthcare system in the U.S. works, were also incredibly helpful. I truly don’t know what I would have done without MS&PC, and I sincerely hope that many others will get the chance to experience this as well.

My wife met her closest friend here through MS&PC. Now our daughters, who were born just two weeks apart, are best friends. When we were having our first child, we were both terrified and the group was a point of comfort, strength, reassurance, and collective wisdom. We learned from each other's mistakes, celebrated each other's successes, and were there for one another when things went wrong.

The program made a huge difference in my life when I first moved to Boston and beyond. Jennifer and Vika created an amazing community that made me feel at home here, so far away from home. I made friends that I still meet with regularly. Through them I also found out about a job position in MIT, which I now work in.

We shouldn’t underestimate the need for spouses to support the students that are enrolled at MIT, these students pay significant amounts of fees, uproot their families and often come with their spouses and children. The spouses often continue to ensure that things are well run at home so that the students can focus on their studies. Notwithstanding this, the need for community is extremely important when students and spouses are in a foreign land. The events organised help to foster community spirit and togetherness amount the cohort.

My involvement with MS&PC throughout my husband's Ph.D. at MIT has been instrumental in navigating the challenges and embracing the opportunities of relocating from overseas and building a life here. Specifically, MS&PC provided an invaluable network of support and connection during a significant period of career transition. I was incredibly fortunate to be a recipient of the MSPC Professional Development Fund. This financial support was pivotal in enabling me to pursue further training and education, which ultimately facilitated a significant and positive change in my career trajectory, aligning it more closely with my long-term professional aspirations.

MS&PC and its warm and caring community led by wonderful Jennifer and Vika offered crucial support to me during the delicate phase of early motherhood. Connecting with other partners navigating similar experiences created a vital sense of community and provided invaluable practical and emotional support. The resources and connections offered by MS&PC and the personal qualities of Jennifer and Vika were truly indispensable during this time.

MS&PC was my first avenue for socialisation when we first moved to the US and to MIT. It helped me gain confidence, feel seen and understood.

They were my family when I arrived in Cambridge. I was alone and I had no friends; my husband only studied and my son and I were alone. MIT S&P was everything for us.

Before we came, we heard so much about MS&PC that I (as the spouse) was very excited to be involved with. I met many new friends (and kept in touch with a few, even visiting them in their home countries later!) and this helped me adapt to Cambridge quickly. The weekly MS&PC meetings were so important to me, especially during the COVID lockdown, as they kept me from going crazy being stuck at home! MS&PC organised so many activities and trips, both online and offline, that are so valuable in providing a positive experience for me in Cambridge. The friendship I made with Jennifer and Vika are invaluable and I feel like I have gained lifetime friends - that's how impactful they are to me, and I'm sure to many others. I believe those who are affiliated with MIT perform better because MS&PC are taking care of their family. 

My husband, chose MIT in a big part because of MS&PC - he knew I would get the support I need & he could then focus on his studies. 

I moved to Boston with my husband and son in the coldest winter. While my husband left for work at MIT, I was stuck at home with a toddler, lonely and isolated. I had just given up my life and career in Europe to come and live in a cold city where I didn't know a single person. I did it out of love for my husband and I would do it again in heartbeat, but I was miserable. I felt trapped, isolated and homesick. 

After a few weeks of this, I finally mastered the courage to join an MS&PC newcomers event. I am shy and meeting new people is hard for me. Vika, who was leading the event, was so welcoming and helpful! I felt like this is someone that understands me, listens and has my back. This could be the community I desperately needed. I was told that I could join any event, even with a toddler. And that's more or less what I did. Slowly, I found into a new routine with weekly playgroups and I met new people that understood me, supported me and welcomed me with open arms. I have joined many events since and it has made the biggest difference in my life. Even though I sometimes still feel homesick, I don't feel lonely anymore and I have things to look forward to.

MS&PC has been so much more to me than fun events for spouses. What it provided isn't a luxury, it is essential for people that newly arrive to Boston and don't know anyone. People that don't get to live on campus and often aren't allowed to work because of their visa.  MS&PC helps these people feel home again. And there is one more aspect that I don't often hear people talk about but that is very important to me. The existence of such a program at MIT in a way felt like them saying: You matter too. We see you. You are important and we will take care of you.

When you give up everything (especially your career) to follow your spouse, it is hard not to feel irrelevant. Like you are not a person anymore, just "the wife of x working in department y". Joining MS&PC really helped me dealing with those feelings.

When I first arrived at MIT, far from my home country, I was navigating the challenges of settling into a new country while caring for my one-year-old son. The MIT Spouses & Partners group was more than a support network. It was a family, providing guidance, friendship, and emotional strength that helped me adapt to this new chapter in my life.

I enjoyed the MS&PC immensely, and it played a crucial role in my transition. When we later moved to another university, I was shocked to discover that no similar program existed. This experience reinforced my belief that MIT Spouses & Partners has helped thousands of spouses navigate and adjust to a new country while their partners pursued work or studies at MIT. Years later, I welcomed my second child, a moment that should have been filled with joy but also carried deep uncertainty. I had no family nearby to support me through the newborn phase. It was the MIT Spouses & Partners community that became my safety net, offering advice, emotional comfort, and practical assistance when I needed it most. Without their kindness and solidarity, I cannot imagine how I would have managed those early days of motherhood.

Through this community, I built lifelong friendships that have become an inseparable part of my life. It was a space where we lifted each other up, shared in the joys and struggles of our journeys, and found comfort in knowing we were never alone. The bond we created was not just about shared circumstances. It was about shared humanity. At the heart of this incredible support system was Jennifer, whose leadership and dedication ensured that every newcomer felt welcomed, valued, and empowered. She was the mastermind behind our mutual encouragement, offering resources, fostering connections, and helping us navigate life in a way that only someone with a deep commitment to community could.

Investing in a community is investing in people, and the relationships built within this program are a testament to its extraordinary value. 

MS&PC gave me my very first mama friend who has continued to be my source of strength through two years of parenting. My whole community is from MS&PC. If it didn’t exist, I’m really not sure I would have survived pregnancy, postpartum depression/anxiety, or new parenting at all.

I still remember when I first arrived in Boston, I saw a poster for MS&PC in the elevator. I looked up their website, subscribed to the newsletter, and soon received information about upcoming events. What stood out the most to me was the Newcomer Office Hour. At that time, Vika introduced us to a lot of useful information. Later on, through MS&PC, I met many other spouses like myself. We may not be students or postdocs, but through MS&PC, we found our own social network and began building our own stories and lives here.

After receiving my work permit, with the support, help, and encouragement from Jennifer and Vika, I found a job and started a new chapter.  MS&PC has been incredibly important to me—and to many others. I also truly believe it plays a vital role in the broader MIT community.

MS&PC made me feel connected to the MIT community, and helped me find my feet and build a life in the broader community, too. It’s such a supportive environment. It was through my connections at MS&PC that I found a job. The regular events and activities gave my week structure, and provided opportunities to make friends and learn more about American culture and life in the USA. 

The MS&PC group has profoundly shaped my life in countless meaningful ways. When I moved to Boston a decade ago, MS&PC became my cornerstone of stability, offering a much-needed sense of grounding during the transformative experience of relocating to a new city. Through MS&PC, I discovered a vibrant community and built friendships that contributed not only to my sense of stability but also to a profound feeling of belonging.

I would never be successfully adopted myself to the new environment without MS&PC. I’ve met the most precious connection in my life and it’s like my second home where I feel safe and being part of a group. 

It has been the single biggest factor in my experience in Boston and the USA being a positive one! Through MS&PC I have been made to feel a part of the MIT community (rather than 'just a wife'!) and that has encouraged me to contribute as such by volunteering in MIT, mentoring students, supporting English language skills. So, I have benefitted hugely, but I think there has also been a return on investment for MIT in including spouses in its definition of community. I appreciate the network so much!

Found friends and support for starting a life here in Cambridge, got help finding a job and connected with other people from the industry.

MS&PC welcomed me 4 years ago when I arrived during COVID time. It was my only chance to get to know new people and to find a community. I found friends who supported me during difficult times and joining events like the ice cream tour, coffee hour, Wednesday meeting, State House tour, ... helped me to enjoy the time with other people. Since I am a mum, groups like the All Ages Playgroup and the New and Expecting Group are necessary for me to survive a day with my toddler. Chatting with other mums who have the same issues is really helping not to get depressed. 

It helped me meet new people and make friends as soon as we arrived to Boston. The walks, the ice cream outings, it made me feel less alone 

Brought me friends and support in very difficult periods of motherhood and isolation.

I’m not naturally outgoing, and making friends has never been super easy for me. But soon after moving here, I found MS&PC. I remember one afternoon when they organized an outing to a nearby park. I was hesitant, unsure of how to approach anyone. But then another mom struck up a conversation about how her toddler refused to nap that day, and just like that, a connection was made. Over time, those casual chats turned into deeper conversations, and those familiar faces became friends. Whether we’re exploring a historic site, letting our kids run wild at a play gym, or just grabbing lunch to catch up, MS&PC has become more than just a group, it’s become my village. They’ve celebrated with me in the good moments and lifted me up in the harder ones. MS&PC didn’t just help me come out of my shell; they helped me build a life here.

I can talk for hours about MS&PC has impacted my life. Only after moving away to a new city without a community like this, I realize how important it is. You are alone in a new city, you do not know how how to navigate this new life and MS&PC helps you. It is a community that you belong to right away. The career workshops have been very useful, the pub nights were fun. I do not know how I would have survived my time at MIT without Jennifer and Vika.

It was a lifeline when moving here and not knowing anything or anyone. I ended up volunteering with MS&PC.

When my husband got a job at MIT, we moved to Boston full of excitement, but quickly our social life faded. Discovering MS&PC changed everything. With Jennifer’s support, I found encouragement to reconnect with my career. I started attending events that were culturally and emotionally enriching. I still remember how Vika’s warmth made me feel truly welcome.

MS&PC was my entry point to a new life, professionally and personally. The genuine care and encouragement I received from both Jennifer and Vika reflect what makes MS&PC so special. This community gave me not just direction, but connection. I am deeply grateful. And I don’t want to lose this community.

MS&PC saved my life! I was having postpartum depression when my husband started his program ( so we never see him). When I met Jennifer and other parents at one of the outings I automatically felt the support and that sense of community , when I talked with other Spouses and Mothers I understand I wasn’t alone anymore! I will always remember MS&PC as my greatest support system during the hardest two years of my life.

I've really enjoyed attending events and feeling connected to MIT as a spouse. The LCE group has been a definite highlight and a great way to connect to the MIT community.

Made many new friends and helped a lot of people 

I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the MS&PC. Shortly after I arrived, I joined Jennifer’s Culture Adaptation class. It was my first time trying to build connections with others in the U.S., and it was truly heartwarming to know that there are people willing to offer support. Jennifer also introduced me to the Language Conversation Exchange program, and later I participated in many events, which helped me feel more connected and welcomed.

MS&PC has helped me so much, and I’m truly thankful for everything.

Being an immigrant is no easy life, being away from family, in the majority of cases with no work to do, speaking a language that it is not your mother language, having no friends or a safety net to rely on and also having all this uncertainty around us. In my first year, I spent the first 5 months not wanting to get out of my house, seeing no point in any activity, crying late at night, yes, depression came, and it was hard. Starting therapy and doing small stuff outside, I began to crave having human interactions, friends. But how could I do it? It`s not like I can go to a stranger and say 'Hi' and immediately have a connection. And then my spouse went with me to an MS&PC meeting. And you know what? I ended our first year with 5 marvelous people and their families to call my, our friends, my safety net; those people knew what I was going through, they experienced the same loneliness, and they gave me hope and closeness.

I've received lots of tips and advice and started developing community thanks to MS&PC

MS&PC changed my life!!!!!!

Welcomed me as a young spouse years ago and then, again, with my kids when we returned recently!

Helped us connect with others families when we had our baby, organize playdates, get support .

I came to the US as the spouse of a PDA at MIT. I left my country, family, friends, and work, and my visa did not allow me to work in the USA. I would have fallen into a deep depression without the support I had from Jennifer and the MS&PC group. This group helped me connect, find resources and friends, understand cultural differences, improve my English, and make my stay more enjoyable. It also helped me to find my career path. I owe a lot to this group; it is a very special and precious group. It is more than a group; it is a family for the MIT newcomers' partners. I feel that MIT is losing a piece of its soul by losing this group.

Met my best friends at MS&PC. 

Helped me land in a new country and gain friends/network. Helped me land my first job (network + events).

Whilst my husband was doing his PhD, we lived in MIT student housing. MS&PC was a huge part of having a community of support during those five years!  When we arrived at MIT, we had three month old twins. The fact that MS&PC was able to provide so much structure to immediately be integrated into a community was pivotal. I also gave birth to a third child while my husband was an MIT student, and the services provided through MS&PC were again a huge part of helping me to feel grounded and connected during a time that would otherwise have been very isolating and challenging. I look back fondly on my time at MIT and the communities I was able to be a part of, and I especially miss them now that I’m in a stage in life where I have to make the effort to find my own community, and it’s so hard. MS&PC had a huge positive impact on my experience as a spouse to MIT grad student.

From my previous experiences I understood the importance of spouse and family groups, especially when you have a child tugging along with you. It was from this network that I understood the infrastructure of the new place, and definitely not to forget the support we received as a family. 

When the decision came that we were to move to MIT, I was assured that I will have a similar support group on campus. And there she was, Jennifer, ready with all the help and advice. She introduced me to the MS&PC group and believe it or not we are still in touch, friends for life. Even today, when my husband interviews a prospective student for MIT, he emphasizes on the importance of MS&PC because it plays a very important role in decision making.

During my time Boston MS&PC was the important place where me and my child could build relations and exchange experiences. We took part in Toddler group every week and cooking group every week. One year I was volunteer leader of the toodler group, organizing meetings at different places. Also took part in other activities like wednesday meetings. Without MS&PC I would not have had a good everyday life in Boston. I noticed how the program really helped spouses who started over in a new city or new country searching for a job and spouses (parents) who needed other parents to discuss with about struggles in every day life. Learning from each other about different cultures and how to navigate in Cambridge/Boston. The knowledge I have from conversations with MS&PC members  and coordinator and the friendship relations with people around the world I bring with me forever. Many times back in my home country I have told people about the fantastic and unique MS&PC program at MIT.

I found my language partner at LCE. I made a lot of friends at Crafternoon. MS&PC activities have enriched my life at MIT.

In my five years at MIT, both as a spouse of a postdoctoral researcher and as an employee, MS&PC became my family, away from family. Its staff, members, and above all, the extraordinary leadership of Jennifer, provided not only practical resources to navigate life at MIT and Boston, but a sense of belonging and emotional grounding.

MS&PC gave my spouse the peace of mind and stability to focus on their work. That is the quiet, often invisible, power of this program.

MS&PC changed my life. When I arrived in the USA, I was scared and alone. This group gave me the confidence to connect, make friends, and find belonging. It truly helped me avoid depression and emotional struggle. The memories and support I found here will always inspire me to be a better person.

It was great to have others to talk and have a program. I taught some aerobics classes when I was there.  It makes me happy. 

It enables me to adapt to a new culture - I couldn't be mentally healthy without MS&PC. I made friends, learned English and felt engaged in the community through MS&PC.

MS&PC has had a significant impact on my life. Through their events and activities, I had the opportunity to meet new friends from different countries - connections I would not have made otherwise. I especially enjoyed the Crafternoon and LCE, but more than anything, I deeply appreciate the chance to connect with people from diverse backgrounds. These friendships have made my time here more meaningful and memorable. Without MS&PC, I would have missed out on these valuable experiences. I'm truly grateful for everything this group has made possible. 

Help me be able to navigate the MIT community and feel part of the community.

Helped me  build my “village” and safety network when I moved to this country. MS&PC was instrumental to help me find new friends, work and community.

It was my first time that I came to the US as my husband works as a postdoc at MIT. I had no friends or relatives, didn’t know how to integrate to the life here. Then I joined MS&PC. People there are so great, and I made many friends. We interact frequently, and I really feel like my life in the US starts from MS&PC. MS&PC plays a crucial role for people like me, which are not a small number at MIT, to get a great first impression of MIT, and the US. I really hope and support that MS&PC could continue.

When my husband decided to pursue graduate studies at MIT, we had to make the life-changing decision to move to Boston rather quickly. Back in my home country, I was often called a “workaholic” because I was so passionate and dedicated to my profession. Leaving my job and coming to the U.S. meant I could no longer work, which left me feeling powerless and lost. I also struggled deeply with the loneliness of living in a foreign country far from home. Fortunately, I found the MIT Spouses & Partners program, which became a lifeline for me. It helped me adapt to life in Boston, understand American culture, and begin to rediscover purpose. Through this program, I’ve made friends, found support, and been encouraged to explore what I can do here.

When I attend English classes at the public library and meet spouses from other universities, I often speak proudly about the MS&PC program. It made me truly grateful that my husband chose MIT. The program has helped me feel connected, supported, and inspired. I’ve participated in book clubs, symphony hall and State House tours, and crafting events—experiences I would not have known about without MS&PC. These opportunities have helped me feel proud to be part of the MIT community.

Without this program, I would have found it much harder to adjust to life in Boston. During holiday breaks, when the program paused, I could feel the return of isolation and loneliness.

The Language Exchange and Spouses & Partners programs are some of MIT’s most meaningful offerings—not just for students, but for their families. They are among the reasons why many students with families choose MIT.

MS&PC has impacted my life a lot. My wife is an international student and when I arrived in the U.S. a year ago to accompany my wife, I did not know anyone here. Through varieties of activities of MS&PC, I started making friends and felt accepted by MIT community. Miyuki, Jennifer, Vika and other people of MS&PC, all of them are extremely kind, helpful and nice. I really have gotten a lot of support from them and other people of MS&PC. Now I am the Community Coordinator of my MIT Residence. It is the people in MS&PC who inspire me to do some things to return our common community!

MS&PC makes me so happy and not stressed even though I’m taking my 11-months-old baby. If I’m satisfied with MS&PC and life, my husband can focus on his studies until he gets great jobs in his programs.

My most important relationship with the Program has been through the Language Conversation Exchange. This group and the Spouses&Partners Connect have been a wonderful support for the newly arrived people coming from all parts of the world, finding there friendship and help in so many aspects of the new  life.

Before I came to Boston, I was afraid that my experience here would resemble the one I previously had in our previous country, where my wife and I moved so that she could pursue her PhD. Our life there coincided with the start of the pandemic, so all my plans to build a social network (volunteering, joining groups and activities related to my interests…) went off the table. The new people I ended up meeting were mostly my wife’s colleagues, and I was lacking my own circle outside of the academic bubble. Right after setting foot in Cambridge, I attended a brunch organized by MS&PC, where I met numerous other partners in similar situations. I was immediately invited to join more events and made to feel incredibly welcome. I have even had the chance to practice my rusty spoken Japanese (one of my goals for this year) with the wonderful people I have been introduced to and at the events organized by the MS&PC and LCE programs. It is fair to say that my life in Somerville would have been completely different and more secluded without MS&PC, and although I would have found my place eventually, I would not leave with this feeling of belonging in the community.

As many of us I am sure, share a similar story, following our spouses to MIT (to pursue their dreams)  with very little clarity on how our own future will look like. MS&PC was there like a safety net/support system to welcome us and reassure us that we are at the right place, however lost we might have felt. I have made life long friends during the 6 years at MIT, through MS&PC. 

MS&PC truly became my family, which means so much when you live far away from your own family. 

Coming to the campus with family, especially as an international student  can be overwhelming. Having someone to talk, to go for a walk and be able to ask questions can make big difference. It is right now more important than ever to keep the community intact. 

Without MS&PC, I could not find any opportunity to have connections with others in MIT.

When I had just arrived here, I didn't have any friends, so I didn't know anything about Boston life and how to connect with others.

But thanks to MS&PC events, I could connect with others who have experienced similar situations or backgrounds. 

Sometimes we are struggling with many changes which are caused by our partner's decision to come MIT. So we usually need some help to live here. That's why we need MS&PC to live healthily and to support our family to focus on their research or work.

When we moved to Boston, I knew no one. So I looked for any group gathering at MIT and was pleasantly surprised to see there was a group meeting for people just like me - Spouses and Partners. One of the first people I met was Jennifer. The events she organise along with Vika and other volunteer members was not only fun and exciting, but it was a place where I got to meet new friends and I still keep in touch with them to this day. MIT Spouses and Partners made sure we belonged here, we matter, and that we were welcomed here at MIT. I cannot imagine MIT without MIT Spouses and Partners. What I know is that I would have been very isolated and lonely without it. When Spouses and Partners are happy, the family is happy, and our spouses and partners can truly focus on whatever they do at MIT. MIT Spouses and Partners is essential to MIT.

My spouse and I moved to MIT, without any friends or family in Massachusetts. As a newcomer to both MIT and the Boston area, MS&PC quickly became an essential part of my life, helping me meet other families across the MIT community, connect with people from all over the world, and learn how to navigate day-to-day life in Cambridge.

MS&PC didn’t just offer events—it offered a lifeline. From cultural celebrations and career support sessions to language learnings and informal coffees, it gave me a chance to build a community, ask questions. I met people who became lifelong friends—people I could lean on through the ups and downs of life far from home.

When COVID-19 hit in 2020, the isolation many of us felt only deepened. MS&PC's virtual events and online meetups became critical for my mental health and sanity. Having a space to talk to others, even over Zoom, helped combat the loneliness and uncertainty of that time. It reminded me I wasn’t alone.

MIT attracts people from around the world—and often, their spouses and families are making just as big of a transition. MS&PC filled a vital role in making sure we weren’t left behind. Its closure would leave a major gap for future families arriving here. I hope the Institute can find a way to continue supporting spouses and partners as an integral part of the MIT community.

MS&PC helped me with mental health, friends, career coaching, navigating life in the US, taxes, insurance policies

Being part of MS&PC has had a meaningful impact on both my life and my partner’s. Especially during the first few months after joining MIT, the group was incredibly helpful in helping us feel welcomed, integrated, and less isolated. It gave us a chance to connect with others in similar situations and build a supportive community—something that significantly improved our mental health and sense of belonging.

Compared to my experience at other institutions, the support at MIT through MS&PC has been outstanding. I truly hope the group can continue, even if not at the same scale as before—because having something is far better than losing this important resource entirely.

It helps me, coming from another country, to be connected with a community and not feel alone.

My wife and I greatly benefited from both programs. The Spouses and Partners program helped spouses connect, so they would feel less isolated. The Language Exchange program made it possible for them to improve their English, and - as we can attest - to build lifelong friendships. We are still friends to this day, after many years, with a former MIT employee whom my wife met in the Language Exchange. Both initiatives will be missed, and I wish there was a way they could be kept. 

We arrived in MIT with a newborn. As a new mom in a new county, the MIT Spouses & Partners was an incredible support system. With opportunities to volunteer and assist in different ways it was an incredible platform that helped us integrate, make great friendships, help the community in return and make us feel at home.

Thank you to Jennifer for all the amazing work she and the community have done for so long. We were indeed left with memories to treasure. 

When I arrived in Cambridge, I had the opportunity to be part of the MIT Spouses & Partners program. It was such a great platform for connecting international spouses who were temporarily based in Cambridge and the surrounding area. We shared our lives, enjoyed conversations, and embarked on a journey to understand American culture together. 

MIT Spouses & Partners Connect played such an important role in my transition to life in Boston — it was a welcoming and supportive community that made a huge difference during a challenging time. I’m incredibly grateful to Jennifer and Vika for their dedication, warmth, and the many ways they made newcomers feel at home. Thank you for everything you've done for all of us, MS&PC. 

MS&PC was an incredible gift to me! A precious gem. It gave a very special meaning to my life and my stay at MIT. What is more important in life than connection and community? 

Jennifer and MS&PC made our lives at MIT a better place where we made a lifetime friends and helped us to navigate in a new country and support us all through the challenges that we faced. I can only say thank you for everything; your work will be never be forgotten.  

Without this programme and the support of the group, I would have been so lonely and lost when my husband was working at MIT.

Thank you for the fun events that brought everyone together.

I am forever grateful to you Jennifer and the MIT Spouses & Partners program. I am indebted for life to the experience I had and the comfort I felt due to this program while shifting to an unknown world leaving behind my country, my job and my relatives. 

There are no words to explain what MS&PC meant to me when I just came with one year old baby. I can't thank the program enough for all the support, love, knowledge and the welcoming environment you created for us. 

I felt home at MSPC when there were strangers all around after moving to Cambridge from worlds apart.

Making friends in the U.S. can be really difficult when you're not confident in English. In that sense, MS&PC has been such a valuable place for me to meet others and feel supported.

MS & PC has been such a vital support system for the MIT doctoral and postdoctoral community, and it has been more than just a resource - it's been a backbone for so many  spouses and partners who chose to move here to Boston in order to support their spouse/partner. 

MS&PC was the first resource recommended to me when I moved countries to support my spouse who started as a Postdoc at MIT. This organization provided a beautiful community at a time when I didn’t have any connections to Cambridge. They provided practical and emotional support through my early months here. From sessions on how to navigate the job market to providing a safe space to speak and be listened to, they were a key reason why I felt welcomed in this new place. When my spouse was offered a faculty position at MIT, Cambridge and MIT already felt like home thanks to MS&PC. 

Without the MS&PC, my and my husband's experience at MIT, and I would say at Cambridge, would not have been the same. In the MS&PC I found support even before leaving my country, and a safe harbor every time I felt alone and missed home. It turned out that eventually even Cambridge, for me who became a mother for the first time recently, became home, thanks also in-part to the MS&PC, to Jennifer - professional and at the same time always warm, to the tireless and always welcoming Miyuki, and to all the collaborators of the MS&PC. I believe this organization made the difference in the decision of many families to go or to stay at MIT because I don't think there is anything similar in other universities. It is a unique characteristic, of which MIT should only be proud. 

When we were deciding which school to choose, MIT took advantage because all the family support that made a big difference. It was an excellent approach to the whole family and helped us understand, adapt and lived the best experience.

When I first arrived in Cambridge, accompanying my husband as he pursued his PhD at MIT, I was alone, struggling with a language I barely spoke, and disconnected from society. My identity, once independent and full of purpose, felt diminished—I was no longer seen as an individual but as a "dependent." The isolation was profound. My only social circle consisted of my husband’s friends, and I lacked a community of my own. This weighed heavily not only on me but also on my husband, who had to divert his time and energy from his demanding research to console me, to encourage me, to help me find a sense of belonging. But how does one build a life without a supportive community? Then I found the tremendous MS&PC and found thousands of excellent women and men like me. I found the friends of my own.

Every individual in society—whether a student, researcher, or spouse—thrives when surrounded by connection, understanding, and support. The MS&PC has been that lifeline for so many, creating a bridge for families relocating to unfamiliar surroundings. It offers a space for spouses to find friends, share experiences, integrate into society, and ultimately contribute to the well-being of those undertaking intensive research. To disregard the importance of this group is to dismiss the profound sacrifices spouses make in the service of academic excellence.

For decades, scholars have acknowledged, in their dissertations and groundbreaking publications, the unwavering support they received—not just from advisors and mentors but from the loved ones who stood by them. The sacrifices made behind the scenes, the emotional labor, the silent resilience—these are the unspoken contributions that have enabled so much intellectual progress. The existence of MS&PC recognises this.

MS&PC has been integral to finding community when our family moved across the country to join MIT. It brought new friendships, awareness of resources, and bootstrapped a sense of community and belonging when entering a place where we knew no one. MS&PC has been my/our onramp to so many MIT things and has been endlessly helpful in becoming truly a part of the community during our time here. Without this group I don't think we'd be as involved at MIT nor feel as connected to the local region as we have been able to become.

My partner recently started a faculty position at MIT. 

When I moved from my home country to Boston, I quit my job, left my friends and family behind to build a new life here. The MS&PC program has been, and continues to be, an invaluable anchor in this major transition.

It helped me find a community : it creates real opportunities to meet people going through similar changes. From the very beginning, I was warmly welcomed. The regular gatherings gave my weeks a rhythm: “Newcomers Office Hours”, casual meetups, shared meals, guided tours, and walks around campus. These aren’t just distractions, they are essential tools to help me build a life, find community, and feel included. 

I won’t forget the first event I attended : “Crafternoon” organized by volunteer Miyuki Ota. I sat at a table full of unknown faces and we laughed, shared stories, and crafted together. A simple and joyful event, but in that moment, I felt like I belonged.

English is not my first language. MS&PC gave me safe, regular spaces to practice English (and sometimes other languages) through casual conversation, jokes, emotional discussions, and cultural exchanges, which has been essential to feeling more at ease and confident here, and will surely play a huge role in helping me settle down. 

The program’s practical guidance (on careers, visas, healthcare, housing, volunteering…), is both useful and reassuring. Jennifer and Vika are incredibly welcoming and resourceful, and I know I can reach out to them with any question, on just about any topic. They either have the answer or know who to direct me to for the right guidance.

I knew before coming here that it was crucial for me to have my own community, separate from my partner’s professional world. Being a partner or spouse is a very different experience from being a new student in town. Our priorities, age, and career paths require a different kind of support. In this major life-changing event, my partner’s well-being depends, in part, on mine, and vice-versa. MS&PC understands that, and supports both of us by helping me feel grounded and valued.

The newsletter, website and Google Calendar seem crucial tools to me, as they give a clear view of accessible activities for spouses, when the broader MIT calendar can feel overwhelming and sometimes irrelevant to my situation. 

I joined the newsletter even before moving, and it was already reassuring. Now, I rely on the program to give structure, connection, and purpose to my days, without needing to spend money I don’t have, in a context where I am not allowed to work for visa reasons. 

This program makes a difference.

MS&PC is one of the reasons my husband and I are in Boston/Cambridge this year. We always wanted to take a sabbatical: my husband would work as a visiting postdoc and I could learn new things/explore other options during my career break. We had a choice of cities/universities, including MIT. The Spouses Program at MIT is one of the main reasons we came to Cambridge, because it gave me (as a partner) the opportunity to build a network, meet new people and get started in the new city. And the program has delivered what it promises: I have a network of friends, I have been to a networking event and I have the opportunity to develop in areas other than my career. But if I look beyond myself and the benefits I have experienced, there is an opportunity for everyone in this program (if you want) and the power of the program is the community, with Jennifer and Vika as the shining center of it all. Everyone is seen and helped, no matter where they are in their life, without judgement or questions, it is absolutely amazing to witness this. I truly believe we should turn the situation around: MIT should further develop this program and exchange it with other universities instead of demolishing it - it is that important for all of us. 

MS&PC has been a crucial hub for me and my husband as we adjusted to life in an entirely new country. This welcoming community helped us find our footing both practically and emotionally. The fact that MS&PC has existed since the 1970s shows how MIT has long recognized the importance of supporting families and building a strong community—not just focusing on individual academic success. It also reflects MIT’s early insight that great research often stems from a stable, happy, and supportive environment.

There’s a Korean proverb that captures this beautifully: 가화만사성 (ga-hwa-man-sa-seong) — “If the household is harmonious, all things will be successful.” It means that when the family is at peace, everything else falls into place. The family is not only the foundation of individual well-being but also the bedrock of society and community.

MS&PC embodies this wisdom. It has provided us with peace of mind, a sense of belonging, and a strong support network. That’s why it’s so heartbreaking to hear that MIT has decided to close MS&PC. This group is not just a program—it’s a legacy of care, belonging, and visionary community-building. 

I don’t know how we would have settled in a new country and in such severe weather conditions if it wasn’t for the weekly warm meetings of MS&PC. I got to see so many new places with bunch of like minded people and made friends over crafternoons and it was at least a friendly face to come across on campus to make you feel you too belong. That was my best year of staying in the US. Since I was settled my spouse could perform well in his course. It’s been 3 years and every post of MS& PC with Jennifer & Vika’s picture makes me nostalgic. I have saved all the crafts I learnt from Miyuki and haven’t learnt so much creativity in my entire life than I did with them even when I was pregnant & later delivered a baby. Nothing stopped me from attending these events as they were the only reason I met with new people from different parts of the world and had same experiences as me. I can’t think it otherwise and feel really bad to hear this group is soon going to finish. Vika and Jennifer treated each of us like a family member. May God bless them and their family immensely and may they never get alone or feel alone as they have a friend in every part of the world . They just need to shout out and I am sure they would be welcomed wholeheartedly. Love my experiences on MIT campus purely because of this association.

This program is crucial for international students with spouses and families. Without it, I think it would negatively affect the student experience at MIT. 

MS&PC helped me with finding new friends, being a part of a great community - enjoying being a part of MIT, those things helped me being mentally well and being able to fully support my husband. It helped me not feeling left out. Spending time meaningfully while living in the US and not being able to work. I created lifetime memories thanks to this community (and Christmas decorations - thank you Miyuki). 

I lived overseas and while there, I learned Mandarin and came to love the language, culture, and people that I met. After returning home, I looked for ways to maintain my Chinese language abilities. My first semester at MIT, I found out about the LCE and immediately joined. I met and became close friends with two Chinese citizens (one a student, one a spouse). Not only was I able to frequently practice Mandarin (while they practiced English), I was able to connect with and become friends with two people I otherwise would have never met. Our conversations added to the richness and diversity of my MIT experience. While education has been my focus at this school, friendships are what make life memorable and fulfilling. The LCE program is simple, inexpensive and contributed immensely to my time at MIT.

I have connected with MS&PC volunteers and staff in the recent past, and learned from them about the work that they do in our community. One thing that stands out is, the work of the volunteers (and by extension, the program) is oriented around upholding President Kornbluth's often-repeated vision to make MIT "a place where we all feel that we belong" and her call to "talk candidly about practical ways to make our community [into such a place]". MS&PC is one of those practical ways. It looks after the belonging needs of spouses and partners by getting to know their stories and interests, and connecting them with valuable community-building opportunities, support resources, and opportunities to learn. Doing away with such a program undermines campus-wide efforts to live up to the values we espouse, the values that our leaders call on when they need to justify their decisions. It is deeply hypocritical and wrong to assume that this program is non-essential compared to other work -- by supporting the experience of enrolled students' loved ones, MS&PC supports our enrolled students, whose loved ones' experiences here have a direct impact on the quality of student experience and students' own sense of belonging and connection to the community.

I’m so sad to hear the news of MS&PC's closure from thousands of miles away. The years I spent at MIT are memorable because of MS&PC’s work and the community you fostered. This is truly the end of an era. You have left your mark on so many of us now scattered around the world. 

When I first came to Boston, I really wanted to make some new friends, and that’s how I found this community. Through MS&PC, I met so many wonderful people — we help each other, share experiences like job searching, places to visit, and just everyday life. It makes me feel like I am not alone. This program really helped us feel connected and part of the community.

When I first came to Cambridge, MS&PC made all the difference. I joined their events—sometimes with a kid or two—enjoyed social icebreakers, learned new traditions like Thanksgiving food, and got helpful advice for my job hunt. These moments made my transition feel smoother. I’ll always be grateful to the MS&PC, and especially to Jennifer, whose gift for connecting people makes everything work. It’s important to me to pay it forward and help keep that valuable resource and welcoming spirit alive.

Met some lovely people and participated in interesting cultural events. 

I gave birth to my baby here and without MS&PC I would feel lonely and isolated. I felt connected because MS&PC were there. Even after giving birth, while raising a child MS&PC gives/offers so much help and good events that allows moms to have spend time with their child. It would be so hard to look out for events that are happening in Boston. It is very well organized and very tailored/customized program for MIT Spouses who are in a very specific and unusual situations(language, career, motherhood, settling down problems, etc). That is possible because of 50 years of history.

My husband was granted with a Fulbright scholarship. This took us by surprise since we were trying to grow our family for such a long time. By the time my husband was notified about his travel date, we found out we were expecting. This was a once life in a time opportunity, there were no posibility to delay it, so we spent most of my pregnancy separated with the fear of not be together for 2 years. I arrived to Boston, by that time my husband who already know I was emotionally weak, put me in the list of the  MS&PC - he knew I will need support, and I really found it. I didn't know the area and my husband was studying full time, and with a new baby, just the routine day activities were really difficult. I had a really bad baby blues, and only at MS&PC found the guidance and support that I needed it. I will be forever grateful for the amazing people who helped me and treat me with love in such a difficult time and yet important and loving time of my life. My husband is now well known in his career, he wouldn't be able to achieve this without the experience and learning at MIT and for sure he wouldn't be able to focus in his studies if we didn't get the support we received from the MS&PC.

When I relocated to Cambridge from another continent with my husband, Jennifer from MS&PC was one of the first people I met. She generously shared insider tips—from surviving in winter days to meeting new friends—that helped me settle in almost immediately.

When I began my job search, Jennifer became my personal career coach: she gave insightful advice on my resume, ran mock behavioral interviews, and, most critically, connected me with professionals at the companies. Her kindness and unwavering support carried me through every step. I truly couldn’t have made those early days feel like home without her guidance and encouragement.

It had a huge impact in my life at MIT! Jennifer organized so many amazing meetings that helped me to meet new friends, that are today (many years later) still friends that I love with all my heart.. I became a mom there; far from my family, but thanks to MS&PC I never felt alone. The community gave me all the support. It would never be the same experience without this program. These were one of the best years of my life!

MS&PC gave me support in all questions. I especially remember our MIT & Harvard Career event and working on a giant MIT Christmas wreath.

They were the first people I addressed when we moved to Boston: first we had a lovely online chat, then I took part in a few of their coffees and initiatives. When you are new to a place and don't know anybody, whatever your age or situation, it is very important to meet other people sharing the same moment in life. Just makes you feel you actually have a community to count on. 

Moving across the country with my spouse for his employment with a small child meant putting my own employment on hold. It meant quitting jobs and leaving friends. Arriving in a big city with no people with a small child is hard. MIT Partners and Spouses Connect gave me an in to meet people as well as exposure to other cultures and communities. 

It helped me to connect with other spouses and provided me with helpful advice related to job search in the Boston area. 

This program was a lifeline for me when my husband started his PhD at MIT. The community supported me in so many ways—through English lessons, regular social meetups, and the comfort of being surrounded by others in the same situation.

They helped us find ways to contribute meaningfully, suggesting and referring us to volunteer opportunities, and helping us build lasting connections. It was a space where I felt seen, supported, and encouraged.

When I decided to start looking for a job, Jennifer—the program leader—was incredibly kind and attentive. She spent hours preparing me for interviews, and thanks to her guidance, I was able to succeed.

This program is an incredible ramp-up opportunity for spouses moving to the U.S. It fosters growth, connection, and belonging. It absolutely deserves to continue its amazing and impactful work.

It was the single light in my first few months in Boston. I felt like I was this alien who didn’t belong to MIT before I found this group. I felt like my education and experience were being denied since I had just moved from another country to US, and meeting MIT students and faculty didn’t really help because I felt like they had other things to care about than some postdoc’s spouse.

Meeting the spouse group to hear the resonating stories and to have some people to break through the challenges were really powerful. I’ve made so many friends that I still connect with.

It was my community and local social home during our time in Boston. It allowed me to be and feel a part of MIT and my partners academic and professional experience and I believe it also helped him a lot, by allowing him to focus on his studies. 

MS&PC was a huge help for me when I arrived here and I was not legally allowed to work and did not know anything about the place and the local culture and did not know anyone. I really wanted to become part of the community and did not want to resort to group only with people from my country and this group helped me a great deal in doing so. It allowed me to immerse  and embrace the big change of moving from another country and allowed me to connect with people with whom I was sharing the same circumstances, being a partner/spouse of a an MIT academic. Beyond this, the group was a support for approching many aspects of living in US including the career and the US job world that as a newcomer with no experience is a big plus. It was also a great way to integrate within the MIT community to which as a partners and spouses of MIT academics we belong too but not always feel like it. I can strongly say that having this group and Jennifer as a reference point was an immense help in the first years of my life here in the United States.

It helped me enormously to get settled in and get to know other mothers in a similar situation as mine. My experience in Boston wouldn‘t have been the same without the cooking group and the new moms group. The recipes from the cooking group stayed with me to this day.

For almost all of my several decades at MIT I had a language exchange partner through MS&PC. This was one of the most uplifting experiences I had at MIT. We helped each other in the learning of language, we shared our culture, we shared our lives, we became profound friends. 

I benefitted greatly from the Language Conversation Exchange program linked with MS&PC! It was super helpful to get some language speaking experience before moving abroad, and I met a lot of fun people. I saw first hand how much energy Jennifer put into making people from all over the world feel welcome at MIT!

MS&PC was a lifeline for me when I first arrived. It helped me navigate the confusing process of settling in — from understanding what documents I needed to feeling like I wasn’t alone. I felt genuinely welcomed, supported, and part of a warm, caring community. It made a huge difference in how quickly I could adapt and feel at home

It was the first contact point when I arrived at MIT. It provided lots of information about how to navigate campus, housing, health, shopping and similar resources around. I also made connections with other spouses who had already been there and their experiences and knowledge about the city and the campus made my life and transitioning easy. I think if there would be a welcome office to address these issues, it would be costlier for MIT. MS&PC, with just two employees, creates a big group of people and volunteers who does the job that would normally done by a bigger office. As participants, we learn from each other that makes MS&PC very effective and efficient. Vika and Jennifer are the heart of that group, they bring people together and keep the fire alive for coming and returning community members.

Ever since arriving with my wife at MIT for her PhD, the community provided through MS&PC has been invaluable for both of us – and me especially. Through their newsletter, I learned about the many support services MIT offers to partners and spouses, from career advice to social groups, which allowed me to build my own sense of community and purpose while my wife is focused on her studies, and helped me feel like more than a “supporting character” in her journey. If the group were to end, I know many of us — myself included — would feel the void deeply.

I am a researcher at MIT and my spouse is part of MS&PC. For a researcher coming with a spouse to work productively - while spouse is fully alone in a new country, when I’m at work - there has to be some peace of mind.

MS&PC gave exactly this and its role was absolutely critical to my work at MIT. I can’t image having such a warm period of employment at MIT without MS&PC.

MS&PC gave my wife something that I think is usually very challenging to find in a new place: a sense of belonging. My wife and I have met many great couples, families, living through the same challenges as we did, and we were filled with support in the rare times of navigating a new world.

It was the place to find people in need, like me. I could meet amazing people far from their homes all looking for meaning and connection. It was also the perfect place to ask for tips regarding life in Cambridge. I can't imagine myself without this wonderful group. 

As someone who left behind a very good career back home to move to the US to support my husband's aspiration to study at MIT, I needed this group to feel part of a community again.  

Jennifer is wonderful at bringing people together, and providing with resources to explore volunteering opportunities.  

MIT students immerse themselves totally during the period,  and because the spouses are happy and well supported, they can focus on their study and MIT projects.  

As an accompanying spouse, I know how hard it is to leave your home country in pursuit of a better quality of life. 

By "better quality of life", I don't only mean the pursuit of professional growth, but also a better place where to thrive, get to know people and feel like at home. And for me and many people in my situation, MS&PC is that: a space where to build community and feel welcomed 🤍 Personally, I truly believe groups like MS&PC are crucial for the community's health and wellbeing 🤍

I met new friends, learned about available services at MIT for spouses (including legal services, access to the lib, getting an MIT card etc). The group updated us on ongoing activities, too. It was terrific to have that support. 

My husband and I moved to Boston in the middle of the pandemic to take up postdocs at MIT and Harvard respectively. After several years I completed my postdoc when pregnant with our daughter. We hadn't built much of a community in the US due to our long hours in the lab. 

A key factor in allowing my husband to continue his postdoc was the support and community that MS&PC provided me during this life changing time. Graduate and postgraduate research at universities like MIT requires a significant time and energy commitment to produce world class science. Programs like MS&PC provide a vital community for families where the norm is long hours and tiring work. I am sure my husband would have ended his postdoc and we would have returned to our home country considerably earlier had the MS&PC not existed.

MS&PC has been an essential part of my experience here, both personally and academically. Through its vibrant community, I’ve found lifelong friends and cherished memories—whether at ice cream socials, craft afternoons, or other thoughtful gatherings that brought warmth and connection to campus life.

Equally meaningful has been the career development scholarship, which empowered me to pursue my passion. That support led to an incredible outcome: I was admitted to graduate programs at several top US universities.

MS&PC made my time here not only worthwhile, but truly transformative. I sincerely hope we can preserve this invaluable program for future students to experience the same support, joy, and growth! 

This program has been life-changing, not only for me personally but also for our family’s ability to thrive at MIT. As an international spouse, I struggled deeply with isolation, anxiety, and even depression when we first arrived in the U.S. We spent two months at another university before coming to MIT, and without any support programs there, I felt completely lost. This emotional burden inevitably affected my husband’s ability to focus on his demanding postdoctoral work.

When we arrived at MIT, the very first welcome email mentioned the Spouses & Partners program. I joined the first event immediately—and it changed everything. I made friends (including my now best friend), felt seen and supported, and finally began to find my place in this new country.

When I came to MIT,  I had one year old son and I was alone with him during the day. This was the first I was away from my family in my home country. It was a cultural shock when I move across the ocean. I started attending MS&PC meetings and that was my safe place. I was looking forward to every Wednesday. I met so many people there who shared same story with me. Only they could understand my feelings, not my family. I made friends for life. Thanks to this program I have amazing memories of my years at MIT. I cant thank them enough. 

I discovered this group late and only recently (after one year of being here with my husband and baby for his studies). So I haven’t had much experience with this group yet but I was really looking forward to being more involved with the group going forward and meeting other MIT spouses and families. It looked like a great group and I wish I could have been more apart of it if I discovered it sooner. I hope some form of it can continue. My husband’s studies at MIT is extremely demanding to say the least and so it’s very lonely and hard with a baby in a new place without our extended family and friends. Groups like this makes a huge difference not only to the spouse but to the student and support at home too. 

The MS&PC group has provided tremendous and unconditional support to me when my partner was working at MIT as a Postdoc. During our three years of stay at MIT, MS&PC has helped us through various ways—it made navigating our new lives in Boston easier through information sharing; it provided the mental support for myself transitioning through several stages of life (from a new grad, to going on the job market, and then become a mother) involuntarily, all as a result of the move; it provided the networking support through Jennifer generously sharing her knowledge about people, and actively connecting us with those sharing the same interest; it even provided resources, tools, and test ground for partners who are eager to make career transitions; MS&PC host activities (e.g. kids clothings exchange, play groups) to help those grads/postdocs/staff with children who don’t necessarily have family support within reach..the list/type of support can go on and on and on! 

All of these support were invaluable to us. According to my partner, he felt great that I have somewhere/something I feel I belong to so that he could simply focus on his research. I believe this is the shared experience among many other fellow MS&PC members, and highlights the importance of having a support network for the spouses and partners of those working/studying at MIT.

Coming from another country and having the non judgmental welcoming group that is MS&PC was so helpful when we moved to Boston. I loved the Arnold Arboretum walks, the ice cream socials. The sub group for new moms was so helpful. I remember feeling so nervous about the new journey I was about to embark on, but being among peers really helped reassure me. 

MS&PC was incredibly important to me during my first months after arriving in this community and continues to be so as I live on campus. Through its activities, I found a way to connect with people who, like me, were going through a process that can leave you feeling very vulnerable.

The spaces they created felt safe, welcoming, and understanding. These events helped me adapt more easily and gave me emotional stability during a period of great change. Vika, Miyuki, and the whole MS&PC team made that transition a time of calm instead of chaos. They extended invitations, offered support, and built a community where I felt seen, included, and cared for.

I vividly remember the first month I moved here to Boston and America for the first time. It was scary - I had no friends, no connections, no past life in this country and city. It did feel massive and alien compared to where I used to live before. MS&PC was where I found my first friendship and connection. Through this community, I connected with people with same challenges to navigate life in Boston as foreigner. The community offers friendship and supports for families who are associated with MIT. I feel deeply heartbroken with the news. I would like to extend gratitude for all friendships and supports this community has offered since day one we moved to Boston. 

I loved being a part of MS&PC.  When I was a young international birthing mother away from family, the BabyNet@MIT (sponsored by MS&PC) is what has provided me a community, connections, elder ladies wisdom and encouragement, and resources.  I understand time moves on and change is inevitable.  Looking back I am counting my blessings for what I had been able to receive.  I hope that Jennifer and our MS&PC family can be proud as we continue to plant and nurture that seed of support and cheer that we received, in our new locations.  Looking forward to seeing the new phase, shape and form of our community & leadership, whatever that looks like.  Much love and appreciation.

I moved here with my partner without knowing anyone in this area, and MS&PC was a great way to get to know people and the area. It was such an incredible outlet while I was job hunting, and attending an event they put together was the first time I remember really feeling at peace and able to build community.

When we moved to Boston, I was enjoying the city like a tourist for a couple of months, but as the days passed and when Thanksgiving was approaching, I got into serious depression.  On TV ads, they were saying it's time to celebrate Thanksgiving with your family and friends, but I had none in Boston...  Luckily, my husband held a party with other foreign researchers in his lab and I got out from homesick,  It was then, MS&PC kicked in. I organized International Cooking Group and Outing Group, and met many people from different countries, and I still keep in touch with them

MIT S&PC was more than a support group for me — it was a lifeline. It helped members of the MIT community from around the world connect across cultures, share resources, and build lasting, family-like friendships. That sense of belonging empowered faculty, staff, and students to thrive — personally, professionally, and socially.

I came to the USA with my Spouse who studied at MIT. We would not have finished the period in the States without MS&PC who gave me, and both of us, the support we needed. I found friends and was able to support my spouse, so he was able to do the academic work and excel.

I participated in many of the activities, and volunteered myself. 

It is a very important organization for the well being of students in general. 

MS&PC helped my wife to find friends after we moved to Boston

Jennifer and I met when Jennifer was looking for partnership in putting together a seminar series for the MIT spouses and partners in order to teach them how to successfully change careers and find jobs in the U.S. The result of our collaborative efforts, the MIT Spouses and Partners Career Connect seminar series, ended up being one of the corner stones of the Program for about fifteen years, was offered twice a year, and ended up changing the lives of many MIT spouses and partners. Over the past several decades not only have I collaborated with Jennifer on the Career Connect seminar series but have also been privileged to hire qualified MIT spouses and partners. All along, these individuals have been successful and reliable MIT employees, highly liked by their peers and supervisors, ambitious, loyal, smart, and dedicated.   This is the population which Jennifer has been serving for decades. She had the foresight to see the skills of these people who are highly qualified and end up in the U.S. and at MIT because they have been following their spouses/partners.  They usually have advanced degrees, held highly skilled jobs in their home countries, sometimes were not eligible to work in the U.S. due to visa restrictions, and usually have the time, energy, and flexibility to change career paths and adjust to the U.S. job market. Through the years, I have observed Jennifer's passion, creativity, ability to solicit expert help, dedication, and loyalty to the MIT spouses and partners.   The MIT spouses and partners program would not have been the most successful program of its sort in academia in the Northeast region without Jennifer.   She knows how to mentor, listen, provide sound advice, establish meaningful connections, and most importantly CARE WITH IMPACT for the MIT extended community. Thank you, Jennifer, for the large scale and sustained impact you've made at MIT for many, many years!                     

This is a valuable resource for those who transition and uproot their own lives in support of the education and career of their partner or spouse. This group creates community, a sense of belonging and an antidote to social isolation. 

My first year at Cambridge would not have been the same without MS&PC. Through it I met some of my best friends, who are still so dear to me years later. It gave me a sense of purpose, with connections and plans and places to be. I’ve always mentioned it when people are trying to choose where to go: if you go to MIT, your SO will also have a community, and that’s rare and precious. Invaluable. I’d hoped other schools would learn from its example, and it’s heartbreaking to get the latest news. I’m forever grateful for this community and it’s significant impact in my life.

The spouses & partners group is a vital element of MIT. The person affiliated with MIT is usually working hard for MIT from day 1, is out of the house a lot and meets new people every day – but the spouse/partner usually sits alone at home in the beginning. They don’t know any people and have nobody to talk to, except their partners. They are often not allowed to work because of their visas or are just looking for a job, which is also hard since most of us are not native speakers. MIT spouses was (apart from the The Women’s League) the only place, where I met people and where I had “contact to the outside world”. It helps the spouse to meet people in similar situations and prevents health risks like depression, which can easily occur if you are isolated for a long time and just moved to a new place you are not accustomed to. It also helps MIT because if the spouse/partner of an MIT affiliate is in a good place health-wise, it also has effects on the MIT-affiliated person. I know some people who planned to stay for longer abroad but in the end, the partner who accompanied and supported the one who had a university position got extremely homesick/depressed and so they returned earlier as planned. I have not seen that with the MIT spouses/partners in MS&PC.