By Sunita Arora
A month before my GMAT exam I went to meet Jennifer, MIT S&P program manager, to discuss an event we were organizing. Her office was locked and she was on her way back from another meeting. While waiting for her I thought about my upcoming exam and how I hated it. I thought about how I had left a promising career in India to be with my husband in Cambridge, work for MIT S&P and also try to get admission in a U.S University. Adjusting to life on campus was easy but leaving behind my support system and an established identity was hard.
I was so deep in my thoughts that I didn’t realize when Jennifer came. She started unlocking her office door. She asked me how my GMAT preparation was going. I told her that sometimes I felt discouraged and yearned to see my parents. Jennifer stopped unlocking the door and kept her hand on my shoulder. She empathized with me and that made me feel better. She knew what I was going through. She knows exactly what spouses and partners go through in situations like mine. Since that day I tease Jennifer that she has a secret X-Ray machine that scans human emotions.
When I was at MIT I felt that it has a unique culture that helps significant others of students to thrive. If you have been at MIT even for a little while you know what makes it truly unique - inclusiveness. It's not just the students who are a part of the MIT community but their families too. The MIT S&P team strives to make you feel at home and be a part of the MIT family. They will try their best to help you to use your skills while at MIT. My background is in professional training and development and I wanted to do something in my field at MIT. Jennifer gave me a chance and I designed the Career Connect Program for MIT S&P. I’m not the only one who got these golden opportunities. Many of my friends on campus did too.
I met spouses and partners from different countries in MIT S&P events. Each one had an interesting story and incredible talent. MIT S&P helped me in building a community of mentors. My GMAT study buddy for example, Tiky Lou. She’s the best math teacher I’ve ever had and was a great mentor. Some spouses and partners helped with my application process.
MIT students’ spouses and partners have access to many resources that the students do. MIT S&P makes relentless efforts to make this happen. When I was on campus I attended many conferences, seminars and networking events. The knowledge I gained and the contacts I made helped me in various ways. Your time at MIT is limited and precious. If you use it to your advantage it will give you a lot more than you can imagine. Grab opportunities to meet new people and learn from thought leaders. Create something new for yourself and for MIT S&P.
After my husband graduated from MIT he got a job in Cambridge and we lived close to campus. I continued going to MIT S&P events. I was welcomed with open arms. Soon after I got admitted to Harvard University for a master’s program. I started grad school when I was pregnant. I joined the new moms’ support group run by MIT S&P as I couldn’t find one at Harvard. I completed my masters with support from my professors, my family and the MIT family.
I live in San Francisco now and stay actively in touch with the MIT S&P team.
