# FAQ Search Within Results Search Within Results search ## 13 results Show filters filter\_alt Sort by NewestOldestAlphabetical A-ZAlphabetical Z-A sort ## 13 results ### Can I arrive to FIP early, before the program starts? expand\_more No. Unfortunately, we will not be able to welcome or look after FIPpers before arrival day (TBD). If you feel like you have an insurmountable logistical problem regarding your travel, please contact your admissions officer or the Harvard International Office to try and resolve the situation. Please email if the situation persists. ### Can I participate in other pre-orientation programs along with FIP? expand\_more You may not participate in any other pre-orientation program nor work opportunity, since they all take place at the same time. If you are torn and have questions about whether FIP is the right program for you, please feel free to reach out to us at ! ### How are upperclassmen involved in FIP? expand\_more In FIP, we use a kinship system. There are about three upperclass leaders to every ten FIPers, and we call these groups "families." We mean that pretty literally; FIP families are all about care, nurturing, support, and connection, and your FIP "parents" are going to be looking out for you (even after FIP is over!). During FIP, you will do a lot of activities with your family and throughout everything your FIP parents will be your rock. The other leaders will be just as open to helping and supporting you, but of course they will have their own families. As you might have guessed, FIP leaders/parents were FIPers themselves not long ago, and eventually you'll also have the chance to apply to be a leader if you so choose. ### How do I get from the airport in Boston to Harvard? Can I get a ride? expand\_more You have a few options here. You can get a car service like Lyft or Uber, a taxi, or you can take public transportation. **If you are travelling alone,** you can request that a FIP leader greet you at the airport and take a bus and the T (the subway) with you back to Harvard. If this feels like the best option for you, we will send out a form later in the summer where you can indicate this. ### **MBTA From Logan Airport** From Logan Airport, board the MBTA (known as the "T") Silver Line bus inbound to South Station. The T is free from the airport to South Station. At South Station, transfer to the Red Line train inbound towards Alewife. Take the Red Line six stops to Harvard Square. It takes a while; be patient. For a rapid transit map, visit [www.mbta.com](http://mbta.com/). ### **Driving from Logan Airport (Taxi, Uber, Lyft, or other car)** If you are taking a taxi, tell the driver to drop you off at the Johnston Gate in Harvard Square. A trip from the airport usually costs between $25 and $40. For Uber or Lyft, follow signs in the airport to the special designated area for car service pick ups. On your app, select "Harvard University" as your desitination. Ideally, you want to get to Johnston Gate. That destination pops up on [Google Maps](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Harvard%20Dorm%20Crew/@42.3739867,-71.1192173,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x89e377430f273681:0x4c0e5c3eabb6b554) as "1465-1483 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02138." **Driving from South of Boston:** Take I-93 North to exit 26 (Cambridge/Storrow Drive). The exit ramp merges with traffic on Storrow Drive from the left. Move to one of the right lanes and continue on Storrow Drive approximately 4 miles to Cambridge/Allston. After a Doubletree Guest Quarters Hotel, take the right-hand exit to “Harvard Square - Cambridge.” Turn right at end of the ramp onto John F. Kennedy Street. Harvard Square is approximately 1/2 mile straight ahead. **Driving from North of Boston:** Take I-93 South to exit 26A (Storrow Drive/North Station). Keep left and take the underpass to Storrow Drive. Continue on Storrow Drive approximately 4 miles to Cambridge/Allston. After a Doubletree Guest Quarters Hotel, take the right-hand exit to “Harvard Square - Cambridge.” Turn right at end of ramp onto John F. Kennedy Street. Harvard Square is approximately 1/2 mile straight ahead. **Driving from West of Boston:** Take I-90 East (Mass Turnpike) to exit 18 (Cambridge/Allston). Bear right after the toll booth at the end of the exit ramp. Turn left after lights (before the bridge) onto Storrow Drive. Take Cambridge/Allston exit (1/2 mile ahead) and turn right at end of ramp onto John F. Kennedy Street. Harvard Square is approximately 1/2 mile straight ahead. ![A welcome sign we use to greet FIPers at the airport!](/sites/g/files/omnuum5591/files/styles/hwp_1_1__720x720_scale/public/fip.fas.harvard.edu/files/screenshot_2020-03-29_at_5.23.17_pm.png?itok=_NU1amsX) ### How does move-out day work at the end of FIP? expand\_more Move-in logistics are still yet to be determined but please check back at a later time when the College has confirmed dates and logistical plans! In a typical year, bright and early on move-in day, all FIPers will be place their belongings into several loading trucks. Later that day, you will unpack into your term-time dorms. This is a day earlier than the general student body -- you will sleep in this room on the evening of that day, but you'll have to wait for the rest of your roomates to arrive on the official move-in datbefore you choose the room that will be yours for the rest of the term. Your families (and new friends!) are more than welcome to help you pack up at the end of FIP and then unpack in your new space! ### I didn't get an invitation to sign up for FIP, but I think I meet the criteria to be a participant. What should I do? expand\_more Occasionally, international students (and U.S. residents who have studied most of their lives overseas) do not receive FIP invitations from the Admissions Office. This can happen for a number of innocuous reasons. If you think you qualify for FIP, please email and tell us that you would like to attend. If there is some question about your suitability for the program, we can discuss that with you then. ### I have dietary restrictions. Will FIP be able to accomodate me? expand\_more Yes. On the Registration Form we will ask you about any dietary restrictions that you may have. The Food Committee will make sure to order food accordingly. ### I'm anxious to reserve a spot in FIP. When can I sign up? expand\_more Registration will open during the Summer. Please watch this page for updates about when the form will go live! ### Is there a fee to attend FIP? expand\_more No, there is no charge to attend FIP. (Please click [here ](/Donate)to find out more about how FIP receives donations to sustain the program.) ### Is there a way to get in touch with the leaders and other FIP participants before the program? expand\_more Yes. Your FIP parents will reach out to you a few weeks before the program starts via email and Facebook (if you have it). Stay tuned to this website, too, because we plan to have various leader communications posted here as well. ### My parents are traveling with me. Can I hang out with them during FIP? expand\_more Unfortuantely, no. A huge part of FIP is the relationships that form among the FIPers; therefore, we want incoming students to be with each other, without their parents, for as much time as possible. The best thing your parents can do is let you enjoy FIP, unfettered, while they explore Harvard Square, Cambridge, and Boston. If you begin to miss them, encourage them to help you pack up your FIP room, load the moving trucks and unpack into your term-time room on move-in day! While FIP is for students, the FIP leadership team love meeting parents and family and hope to develop more parents' events during FIP (early on in the program). We've found that the parents themselves very much enjoy meeting each other, and we want to facilitate this as much as we can. Information for parents can be found on the website [here](https://fip-fas.harvard.edu/For-FIPers/For-Parents-and-Family). ### Should I bring all my stuff for the entire year? expand\_more If you are travelling alone to Boston/Harvard, yes, you should bring everything. However, if there is somewhere you can keep some of your stuff during FIP (with family or friends) that's great, too, especially if you have a huge amount of things. You will be loading and unloading your things on and off of trucks that we use at the end of FIP, so it will be a lot of carrying for you. - Previous page chevron\_left - [1](?page=0 "Current page") - [2](?page=1 "Go to page 2") - [ Next page chevron\_right ](?page=1 "Go to next page")