International Student Experience

Welcome to the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health!

International students will find a strong community here, with plenty of support from faculty, staff, and peers. Nearly 40% of our students come from outside the U.S., so both our campus and our online programs have a vibrant global feel. 

Activities like I-Night, which is hosted annually by the Harvard Chan Student Association, let you showcase your culture. Affinity groups help you find other students with similar backgrounds. And your new friends, teachers, and mentors will make sure you experience American traditions as well — whether that’s a baseball game at Fenway Park or a Thanksgiving meal at a professor’s home.

Services for International Students

Both the Harvard International Office and Harvard Chan School’s Office for Student Affairs (OSA) are available to help international students adjust to life in the United States. 

Harvard International Office

The Harvard International Office (HIO) serves the entire Harvard University communtiy and provides information on a wide range of topics such as:

• Health care
• Housing
• Immigration and visas, including visa letters for family and friends
• Social Security Number
• Work authorization for partners

The office offers orientations throughout the year and publishes a Welcome Guide to help students get settled once they arrive, including information about how to open a bank account, obtain a credit card, and purchase a cell phone.

All international students are required to register with the HIO before registering for classes.

Harvard Harvard Chan School’s HIO advisor

An HIO advisor is assigned to each Harvard school. The advisor for Harvard Chan School is Elizabeth Capuano. 

Email: elizabeth_capuano@harvard.edu

Phone: 617-496-2817

Set up a meeting on the HIO Office Hours page 

Visa support letter

OSA can write a letter of support for students whose family members or friends need visas to enter the U.S. The letters, which can be requested using this form, will be emailed to your Harvard email address as a PDF. Please note that letters can take up to five business days to process.