The ISO would like to officially welcome you to MIT!
We hope that these pages will help you with your transition to MIT and the U.S., as well as provide you with some important information regarding day-to-day life.
Also read our ISO Welcome Booklet, created by our two ISO Grad Fellows!
Connect with someone from your culture/country! Find the various clubs at the MIT Engage website.
A helpful guide on the basics of what to pack when transitioning to MIT.
In New England, the joke is “If you don’t like the weather, wait a minute.” Boston especially is notorious for unpredictable weather, even on the same day.
The information provided below is an overview of housing at MIT. For questions and more information on housing, see the MIT Housing website. On-Campus Housing MIT’s approach to housing incoming […]
MIT Furniture Exchange Discover discounted used furniture and household goods while supporting scholarships at MIT. Bring your MIT, Harvard, Emerson, BU, or Suffolk ID and explore! The Furniture Exchange is […]
Bicycling Current MIT employees and students can buy subsidized annual Bluebikes memberships and ride at a discounted hourly rate. The subsidized annual membership for MIT employees and students is $35 […]
ISO Online Recipe Book Antoinette Browne in the ISO is a great cook and has shared her recipes with the MIT community through virtual cooking lessons. You can view her […]
When you arrive in the United States, we strongly recommend that you carry only small amounts of cash with you. You will probably want to set up a bank account […]
Tipping in the United States can be very confusing, not only for international visitors but for Americans alike. However, it is a requirement when you dine in at a restaurant […]
Use the free financial literacy platform iGrad (open to the entire MIT community). Access resources for budgeting and learning about building your credit history in the U.S. Why should you […]
Americans still write checks for things such as paying rent. Some landlords still insist on rent checks, and if you’re sending money to the government for immigration purposes, it’s helpful […]
A State ID Card may also be obtained at the Registry of Motor Vehicles. (Please note that you must be age 21 or older in order to obtain a liquor […]
How to Get a Massachusetts Driver’s License To be eligible for a Massachusetts Driver’s License, international students must show that their visa status for their program of study, as written […]
Plan to bring your unlocked phone to the U.S. and obtain a SIM card upon arrival. The ISO offers a temporary SIM card at their office, so stop by to […]
MIT English Language Studies (ELS): Classes offered every fall and spring semester to degree-seeking students. The curriculum is designed for non-native English speakers to foster effective communication in a variety […]
