CFDD Resources for International Faculty

At the Center for Faculty Development and Diversity, we want to make the transition to Brigham and Women's Hospital as smooth as possible for our international faculty and trainees. Please use the resources below if you or your family members need help navigating the city, feeling at home in our community, or understanding the immigration and tax laws in the United States.

Programs

Intercultural Careers Series: The Office for Research Careers (ORC) offers programs and courses that provide career support and training for international researchers pursuing careers in the US, family members of international researchers adapting to life in the US, and others facing the challenges of working in multicultural environments at BWH. Find out more about the Intercultural Careers Series on the ORC's International Center page.

Resources

The Partners Office for International Staff, Scholars, & Students (PIO): The Partners Office for International Staff, Scholars, & Students (PIO) provides immigration services to all professional international staff. They conduct a monthly orientation program for newly-arrived internationals. Immigration overviews, tax seminars and other relevant programs are offered at various times during the year. In addition, the PIO advises on travel requirements, changes to and extensions of visa categories, medical insurance, pay and social security issues, attorney referrals, and green cards.

The Interchange Institute: The Interchange Institute is a not-for-profit research organization that works to smooth intercultural transitions, with the mission of helping others understand us and coming to understand others. The Institute conducts research on the process of intercultural transition, produces publications to assist newcomers to the US, designs and delivers specialized cross-cultural training workshops, and trains and consults to professionals in the field.

Helpful publications from the Interchange Institute:

Welcome to Boston: A Guide for International Newcomers - This book is a unique and practical resource for anyone new to Boston, MA. Special attention is given to questions that international newcomers may have. Updated annually, it provides reliable, detailed information not found in any other single resource.

To request your copy, please e-mail the Center for Faculty Development & Diversity with "International Guide" in the subject line and remember to include your BWH mailing address in the body of the e-mail.
A Smooth Beginning - This book is designed to help you and your family feel settled in your new country of residence. It offers helpful tips on establishing routines, helping your family stay connected to home culture, building connections in your community and preparing for culture shock.

Harvard Neighbors: Harvard Neighbors is a Harvard University-based volunteer organization that aims to enrich the lives of members of its community. In addition to activities and programs specifically for newcomers, they offers special events to build a sense of community and groups to bring together people with similar interests.

Society for Internationally Trained Women Faculty and Fellows: The Society for Internationally Trained Women Faculty and Fellows is a networking group for women physicians and scientists who were born or trained outside of the United States. Members of the Society are invited to networking lunches to share experiences and meet new people. This group has also sponsored events for internationals, including Presentation Skills and CV review sessions.

Please e-mail the Office for Women's Careers for more information about the Society for Internationally Trained Women Faculty and Fellows.

FRESH Start Guide: The Family Resources for Ethnicities Seeking Home or “FRESH” Start Guide is designed to help you transition into a new job and work environment, and to help your family adjust to life in a new city. The FRESH Start Guide includes information on Boston organizations that can help you stay connected to your home country and culture while settling into your life here.

Information for International Fellows: The Office for Research Careers (ORC) offers more information for international postdoctoral fellows online, at the ORC's International Center page.

Finding Housing

BostonBrick Investments: This company provides information about different housing options, assists you in moving, and will put you in contact with a local rental agency.
Academic Homes: This website caters exclusively to the international academic community and provides a resource for renting, buying, selling or exchanging homes.
Partners Housing Search Site: This website is an online bulletin board where you can search for apartments, houses or sublets to rent or share.
HMS Trading Post: This website is an online bulletin board where members of the HMS community can post housing or apartment listings.
Massachusetts Attorney General’s Guide to Landlord and Tenant Rights: This is a helpful guide which explains terms of tenancy, lease agreements, eviction, state sanitary code, housing discrimination and other complex issues related to rental housing in Massachusetts.