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  • MIT SCMr 25 Housing Survey

    January 10, 2025

    Overall Guideline

    • Two options: on-campus or off-campus. Most people (84%) live on campus, either alone, with roommates, or with spouses.
    • Three clusters of on-campus housing:
      • Near CTL/campus: Site 4, 70 Amherst
      • 20-30 minutes’ walk/10-minute bike ride or shuttle to CTL/campus: Ashdown, The Warehouse, Sidney-Pacific, Edgerton House
      • 30 minutes’ walk/10-minute bike ride or shuttle to CTL/campus: Graduate Junction, Tang Hall, Westgate
    • If you’re looking for the most cost-effective option, 70 Amherst is a good choice. It’s very close to campus (a big plus in the winter), but you’ll have to share a kitchen and bathrooms with about 10 people. However, the kitchen is large, there are two big refrigerators, multiple bathrooms, and daily cleaning service.
    • If you want to live with roommates and make new friends, consider Ashdown, Sidney, The Warehouse, or Graduate Junction. These options offer different room types and price points. Please refer to the survey for more details.
    • If you prefer to live alone, consider Site 4 or off-campus housing. Site 4 is the most convenient on-campus option but much pricier.
    • If you’re living with a partner, consider Site 4 or Westgate. Graduate Junction is the newest housing option for graduate students. It’s affiliated with MIT but not directly managed by MIT Housing. You can apply directly through their website and don’t need to participate in the MIT Housing Portal bidding process.
    • You can find all the pictures of each room here: https://graduatehousing.mit.edu/

    On Campus Vs Off Campus

    Location

    Who do you live with and Accommodation Type

    On vs Off Campus And Shared Room Status

    Where do you currently live?Who do you live with?# of People Percent
    Off-CampusI live alone360.00%
    Off-CampusI live with a partner/spouse 120.00%
    Off-CampusI live with roommates120.00%
    On-CampusI live with roommates1246.00%
    On-CampusI live alone1142.00%
    On-CampusI live with a partner/spouse 312.00%
    The majority of people live either alone or with other roommates.

    What type of accommodation

    On vs Off Campus And Shared Room Status

    Who do you live with?What type of accommodation do you live in?# of People Percent
    I live aloneStudio apartment 1032.00%
    I live aloneDormitory room26.00%
    I live aloneEntire apartment (not shared) 26.00%
    I live with a partner/spouse Studio apartment 310.00%
    I live with a partner/spouse Entire apartment (not shared) 13.00%
    I live with roommatesSingle room within a shared apartment 1239.00%
    I live with roommatesShared room within a shared apartment 13.00%
    10 people live alone in studio apartments, while 12 people live in single rooms within shared apartments.

    What Housing?

    • 8 people living in Ashdown, 4 in Site 4, 4 in Warehouse, and 3 in Graduate Junction

    Living Conditions & Environment

    • For the rating please consider also the number of people living in this option.
    • For noise factor: 1: very noisy – 5: very quiet
    • Every housing has quite similar facilities: Gym, Study room, Lounge or common area, Laundry facilities, Parking. Extra point for Graduate Junction having dish washer.

    Commute and Accessibility

    Time Commute And Transportation Mode

    If you live on-campus, which dorm are you living?How long is your commute to campus?What is your mode of transportation?# of PeoplePercent
    70 Amherst2 minutesWalking13.00%
    Ashdown House 10 – 20 minutesCycling413.00%
    Ashdown House 20 – 30 minutesWalking 310.00%
    Ashdown House 20 – 30 minutes Shuttle 13.00%
    Edgerton House< 10 minutesCycling 13.00%
    Graduate Junction10 – 20 minutes Cycling 13.00%
    Graduate Junction10 – 20 minutes Shuttle13.00%
    Graduate Junction> 30 minutesWalking 13.00%
    Off-Campus 10 – 20 minutesCycling 13.00%
    Off-Campus20 – 30 minutesShuttle13.00%
    Off-Campus20 – 30 minutesWalking 13.00%
    Off-Campus < 10 minutes Cycling 13.00%
    Off-Campus< 10 minutesWalking 13.00%
    Sidney-Pacific 10 – 20 minutesShuttle13.00%
    Sidney-Pacific 20 – 30 minutesWalking 13.00%
    Site 4< 10 minutesWalking 413.00%
    Tang Hall20 – 30 minutesShuttle13.00%
    The Warehouse20 – 30 minutesWalking 26.00%
    The Warehouse10 – 20 minutes Cycling 13.00%
    The Warehouse10 – 20 minutesShuttle13.00%
    Westgate< 10 minutesCycling 26.00%
    For social life factor: 1 = very poor – 5 = excellent (easy to connect with people)

    Financial Aspects

    • On average, monthly rent is $1,875.
    • The most affordable option, 70 Amherst, starts at $1,024 per month.
    • The most expensive option, a full off-campus apartment, can cost up to $3,500 per month.
    • 70 Amherst and Graduate Junction are considered the two best options in terms of value for money.

    Academic Impact

    • For academic impact factor: 1: very negative – 5: very positive

    Recommendations

    Recommendations by Housing

    Overall Satisfaction

    Final Thoughts

    Most Favorite

    Least Favorite

    Motivation to Live On or Off Campus

  • 10 Life Lessons Learned from Rowing

    April 18, 2024

    A graduate degree at MIT consists of more than classes and assignments. It’s an opportunity to explore new things, pick up a new hobby, and learn a new skill outside your professional field.  

    You have access to hundreds of clubs and student organizations, from sports to photography to space exploration. As I explored clubs before arriving at MIT, I decided I wanted to try rowing. In addition to being a great workout, rowing is a quintessential New England activity, and I wanted to take part in the history of rowing crews on the Charles River.

    In September, I joined MIT’s rowing club in its Learn to Row program,  joining seven others who had never been on the water.

    In the months since I began rowing, I’ve reflected on what the sport has taught me. Here are ten lessons I’ve learned from the water that translate to daily life.

    Life Consists of Ratio Shifts 

    There are two parts to a rowing stroke: the catch, in which you drive the oar through the water, and the recovery, in which the oar is out of the water while you prepare for the next stroke. 

    In a regular stroke, the time spent on the catch and recovery is the same; it’s a 1:1 ratio. But often, we would do a ‘ratio shift,’ taking twice as long on the recovery and then accelerating through the catch with more speed and power. 

    In life, there will always be some split between time spent resting or recovering and time of intense drive, whether professionally, socially, or athletically. The ratio will change based on the life season you are in. A 2:1 recovery-to-intensity ratio may be okay at the end of a long project but not during finals week.

    There is a time for recovery and intense drive—the important thing is knowing the balance; too much of either and the boat won’t keep moving forward, and in life, you won’t keep moving toward your goals. 

    Accelerate at the End

    From the start to the end of the stroke, pressure from the water decreases as the boat is propelled forward. As the pressure decreases, there are two options for finishing the stroke: ease up to start your recovery or increase the power to finish strong. 

    While seemingly insignificant, the acceleration at the end of the stroke, when done repeatedly, can significantly affect the boat’s speed. 

    When a task or project nears its end, it’s easy to let up—the work is mostly done. But setting a standard of accelerating through the end of a project, task, or program will set you apart (it’s also a good reminder for me as I look to the last six weeks of our program).

    The Team That’s Most Together Wins

    Rowing is the ultimate team sport. The level of synchronization required to excel at rowing is more significant than any other sport I’ve experienced.

    There is a multiplicative factor of everyone working together in unison. As eight oars catch and drive simultaneously, the boat builds momentum.

    Similarly, project teams working on any task in total unison outperform a group of stronger individuals who aren’t in sync. While each person has a unique role, discussed next, everyone must be aligned and moving together toward the common goal.

    Excel at Your Role and Try New Roles

    Each seat in the boat has a specific job. The two in the front are setting the rhythm and stroke rate, ensuring a good rhythm. The two in the back ensure the boat is ‘set,’ not wobbling from side to side. The middle four are the ‘engine,’ focused on applying maximum pressure to drive the boat forward. 

    The days I rowed in the first two seats weren’t the most fun. Instead of focusing on only rowing powerfully, I had to ensure the pace was correct and concentrate much more on stroke rate (strokes per minute) than pure power. But having a good stroke pace benefits the rest of the boat.

    High-performing teams work the same way. There is trust in each member that they will perform their role to help the team excel. Sometimes, you may be on a team that requires you to sacrifice what you are best for a role that benefits the team. But think of this as part of your personal growth, developing skills outside your comfort zone.

    Commit to Something Larger

    There is a deep dedication to the other seven rowers in the boat. On the boat, you row for the others next to you, not yourself. Everyone must have the exact timing and pressure for every stroke. Relaxing for a stroke isn’t an option; you have seven other people you are accountable to.

    Whether it’s family, a volunteer organization, or some other group, find something that requires deep commitment towards those around you. It’s a deeply fulfilling experience to be counted on and to count on others.   

    Small Adjustments Make a Big Difference

    Like a reinforcing feedback loop (which you learn all about in course 15.873—System Dynamics ), small changes can have significant positive or negative effects.

    A slight adjustment in the placement of the oar can tip the boat to one side, causing ripple effects throughout the rest of the ship. A tiny shift from equilibrium can throw the whole boat off. 

    When this happens, the answer isn’t to over adjust; it’s to make another small change to correct course. Overcorrecting pushes the boat further out of balance, creating more issues.

    On the other hand, a few small positive changes can significantly improve the boat’s performance.

    Life isn’t about grand life changes. It’s about the daily minor adjustments that, when made over a long period, accumulate to improve the quality of life.

    Go Fast, But Be in Control

    This is the key to rowing. Being fast and out of control is a recipe for disaster. But being fast, smooth, and in control is a recipe for beautiful rowing. 

    The same can be said for many areas of life. Operate quickly and urgently, but maintain control; otherwise, you risk going off the rails.

    Let the Water Move You – Go with the Flow

    The boat has ‘run’ when you are recovering. It glides through the water as it naturally pulls you towards the front of the boat, preparing you for the next stroke.

    When we tried to move ourselves up to the start of the following stroke rather than letting the boat’s movement naturally glide us up, we would struggle, and the ship would start rocking. 

    Move with, rather than against, external or environmental factors. Don’t fight things outside your control; use them to your advantage. 

    Be Calm in the Choppy Waters

    At the beginning of learning to row, when the water got rough and choppy, we would get antsy and respond to every movement of the boat. 

    But what’s the best response to choppy water? Nothing but calmness and rowing like its smooth water. 

    On the days we rowed best, it was almost like we ignored the choppiness around us. We focused solely on our stroke, which bred calmness and confidence in operating under chaotic situations. 

    Choppy waters are inevitable in life. Life gets wild, and things become overwhelming. But we get to choose our response, and the best response tends to be maintaining calmness, operating as if it were any other day, and knowing that the choppy waters will eventually settle.

    Discipline Pays Off 

    Waking up at 5:30 a.m. to walk to the boat house in the darkness and cold New England weather isn’t always fun. It takes discipline and a commitment to becoming a little better every day.

    But it’s worth it. The discipline pays off tenfold, on and off the water, molding you into someone who chooses to pursue excellence in whatever endeavor you undertake.


    Plus, you get to see some incredible sunrises from the water.

  • Current year experiences: finding housing for SCM students

    April 2, 2024

    As a current student in the SCMb program, I wanted to write an update on Ge’s 2019 post on housing. Her blog entry was incredibly useful for me personally in understanding the housing landscape. My post has similar aims: to share what has worked for my cohort, share experiences, and provide an anchor point for further research.

    Firstly: everyone has found housing in our cohort. A lot of us felt stressed about housing before coming to MIT, but everyone has found a place to call a temporary home in due time.

    Secondly: What was very helpful, is to understand the “lay of the land” or the neighborhood of MIT. The orange marker on the map below is where the Center of Transportation & Logistics (CTL) is located and it’s the area where we spend most of our time. Either in SCM classes or in classes at the Sloan School of Management, which is right across the street.

    Lay of the land (on-campus housing)

    Photo of MIT housing map.
    Source: https://graduatehousing.mit.edu/

    There are three main clusters of graduate on-campus housing, and most SCM students are staying in the 1st and 2nd cluster. It turns out that every location has its own benefits and disadvantages. Below are a few honorable mentions of each:

    1st cluster: 70 Amherst & Site 4:

    Photo of Site 4 apartments facade.
    Site 4

    Both are very close to CTL. Having less than a 5-minute walk to class can be incredible.

    Site 4 is on the pricier side, while 70 Amherst is one of the cheaper options in general. With 70 Amherst, you get what you pay (or not pay) for. Bathrooms & kitchens are generally shared with others in the same hallway. Site 4 is very modern as it was finished within the last years. We have a significant quantity of residential and blended students staying there this year.

    2nd cluster: Edgerton, Ashdown, Warehouse & Sidney Pacific:

    Photo of Sidney Pacific Apartments facade.
    Sidney Pacific

    With Site 4, this cluster is where most of the SCM students in this cohort stay. Prices are in the middle of the pack, and none of us went wrong with either of the options.

    It takes me around 20 minutes walking time from there to CTL (I am a fast walker, so for others it might take a bit longer). There is the EZRide bus and MIT bus shuttles that you can take, that brings you close to CTL. Both are free of charge to us as MIT students. If you are more of a bike person, you can also rent a BlueBike and bike to CTL. BlueBike stations are all around Cambridge and a 1-year subscription goes for around $50.

    3rd cluster: Westgate, Tang & Graduate Junction:

    Photo of Westgate Apartments facade.
    Westgate Apartments

    Graduate Junction, as of the time of writing, is not available for housing yet. It will open in time for the 2025 cohort, but unfortunately that means there is no “review” here 😊

    Westgate is a family-only housing option and the community there is very strong and welcoming. A few from our cohort stay there and for the it’s a good option for on-campus housing.

    Tang hall, together with 70 Amherst are the cheaper options that are available for renting. Price was the main reason why people from our cohort chose to live there, though as is with 70 Amherst, you get what you are paying for. Depending on your luck, room sizes can be small.

    The drawback to Westgate and Tang is that these are the furthest away from CTL. Like with the 2nd cluster though, there are buses one can take to get to campus.

    A comprehensive list around room sizes, rent and other details here: https://graduatehousing.mit.edu/residences-rates/

    Coming to MIT with family & off campus housing

    There is a minority from our cohort that came to Boston with family (partner & children). A few are staying in the MIT family only housing at Westgate, though the majority have found off-campus housing. Off-campus housing puts you outside the well-regulated on-campus housing environment, though there are MIT resources that can help to find a suitable home. One key item a current student recommended is going though MIT affiliated sources to avoid scammers. Finding housing in a city from far away is tricky and often resolves around having a support structure of trust. MIT offers contact points to be of help in this regard:

    Student Life Off-Campus Housing Website: https://studentlife.mit.edu/housing/offcampus-housing

    Graduate Assistance & Information Network: https://www.mitgain.com/ MITGAIN can help on a lot of other topics than just housing as well!

    Summary & parting thoughts:

    Most of our cohort that I talked to, are very content with the housing they got. During housing selection everyone was very nervous (also due to regular ‘issues’ with the housing website), but everything turned out to be good.

    If anyone is thinking about applying to MIT, but availability of housing is a major concern don’t worry. The SCM program gives good estimates about living costs, (https://scm.mit.edu/admissions) and once you swallowed that pill, availability can be worked out.

    Do your research though! There have been enough students coming to MIT, that a Google Search of experiences in residencies can be insightful. Everyone’s situation is different, and what worked for us might not work for someone else.

    I hope to have provided that anchor point from which to continue research.

  • Can Drumming make you better at Supply Chain Management? Yes!

    November 2, 2023

    Supply Chain enthusiasts and leaders can benefit a lot from learning to play drums.

    I began playing drums in undergrad because I really liked the beats and rhythm of classic rock music. When I got introduced to bands like Led Zeppelin, Iron Maiden, Metallica, Nirvana, and Guns N’ Roses, I felt like a spark had been lit inside of me. I spent hours behind the kit practicing, learning to play all the different parts of the kit, and covering the beats of some of my favorite songs (Smells like Teen Spirit, Immigrant Song, Hallowed Be Thy Name, etc.).

    However, most of the people around me weren’t really into drums. The majority of my friends and peers wanted to play the guitar or sing the vocals, and the reason behind that was very clear – to find a place in the spotlight. The science behind this notion is quite clear. As shown by Maslow, our desires for belonging and recognition never vanish, no matter what our age is. And standing in the shadows backstage as a drummer just doesn’t give you the chance to be in the spotlight.

    Unless, of course, you’re a supply chain manager! Before joining the MIT SCM program, I had a seven-year stint in the supply chain industry, working with Johnson & Johnson and PwC US Advisory. During that time, I’ve noticed that supply chain managers often feel that they are stuck in the shadows, playing drums behind the lead singer and guitar player. And whenever I encounter someone who feels this way, I remind them how indispensable drummers are to a live concert. Think about it: people at a concert dance to the beats of the drums, not to the vocals.

    Just like drummers design the beat that helps gain the popularity of a song, Supply Chain Management (SCM) delivers value that is essential to the growth and performance of an organization.

    Although I jammed through undergrad and my MBA, I ultimately chose to enter the field of Supply Chain Management in 2016. But my passion and learnings from playing drums still resonate with me throughout my career. Let me elaborate below on how learning to play drums made me a better Supply Chain professional or manager:

    • Leading from the back

    My personal philosophy on management – Good management remains invisible.

    The drummer hangs in the background (literally on stage and within the sound), but at the same time, the drummer keeps the whole song on track, efficiently, and on time. Supply Chain managers also hang in the back (far away from the eyes of the customer), making sure there is sufficient inventory of raw and packaging materials for production of finished goods, optimizing the production schedules, managing the transportation of goods in the network, and ensuring the right inventories are present at distribution centers to service the customers.

    If the guitarist or the singer wants to try something new, they look to the drummer for his signal and then go ahead with it. If the song being played isn’t doing well and needs to end, the band members look towards the drummer, and the drummer brings it all to a close. Similarly, in an organization, whenever a new product is to be introduced, the cross-functional team tends to turn to Supply Chain managers for their insights on demand forecasting, technical feasibility, commercialization scale-up capabilities, etc. And when the organization wants to improve their gross profits, they turn to supply chain management for improvement initiatives like SKU rationalization of slow-selling SKUs that would help in segmentation and focusing on whether to drop the SKUs or invest more in improving their features or margins.

    • Learning by Doing

    I personally love action-based learning or on-the-job learning. I find it more engaging than reading or watching tutorials about the same exercise. So I decided to teach myself how to play the drums. I didn’t go to drum teaching classes, nor can I read sheet music or drum annotations. So how did I get this far? I relied on my ear to figure out the techniques John Bonham incorporated into his deceptively simple yet thunderous groove throughout “When the Levee Breaks”.

    I feel that as Supply Chain managers, we must also be close to reality to have better control over processes and their outcomes. Sure, reading up about optimization methods would give us invaluable knowledge. However, when trying to model real-life scenarios, we must put ourselves out there and really get our hands dirty in order to solve challenges that really plague efficiencies across the supply chain. Whether it be travelling with an actual truck driver to understand the bottlenecks they face while delivering the goods or spending time on the shop floor to see what’s causing the downtimes that lead to delays in production, the best way to learn and expand your knowledge in the field of Supply Chain Management is to engage in more action-based learning. And I’m grateful that MIT allows us the opportunity to be part of a Capstone project that allows us to work with sponsoring companies, thereby enabling us to be close to the problem statement.

    • Ability to Multi-task and Collaborate

    It’s interesting to find out that the design of drum kits came out of financial and real estate constraints in theaters, where they needed a single person to multi-task and cover as many percussion parts as possible. They needed someone who could own the different parts and, at the same time, collaborate seamlessly with other musicians in order to achieve their common goal of making music.

    In the age of digitally connected global supply chains, a good supply chain manager would have to take ownership of not just under his area of responsibility but also foresee potential impacts or constraints across all the nodes of the supply chain (Plan, Source, Make, and Deliver) thereby ensuring the maximum or best customer experience. Not to mention, we would also have to juggle between coaching and mentoring people, managing strategic projects, providing feedback to our team members, and working on the health and goals of the team as a whole.

    I believe that the best drummers and supply chain managers understand that their biggest skill is their ability to work with large groups and numerous stakeholders and, whenever possible, set the tone of the collaboration and support the cross-functional team in every possible manner.

    As a current student in the MIT SCM program, I can safely say that I have benefited from both the individual and collaborative delights I discovered as a drummer. I believe that drumming has played a big part in my professional progress so far and will keep me prepared for future success.

  • Floating our Boat in the Moonlight

    December 29, 2020

    Amid a global pandemic, our SCM master’s program orientation began in August. Typically, orientation is the time when the students come to campus and go through an intense crash course/training of team building activities to get to know each other, their strengths and weaknesses. This time, however, the orientation was forced to go online, and most of the students attended it from their home countries. All classes and activities were held on Zoom, including the Thompson Island Outward Bound Professional program team-building trip. We adapted well to the situation, built our SCMr boat and tested it in our kitchen sinks! Having built boats with my classmates and having watched numerous others boating down the Charles every day, I dreamt about doing this someday. When I finally caught up with my classmates who were in the Boston area right after the orientation, I proposed the idea of kayaking under the moonlight, and the idea was very well received.

    Since we had just one full moon left before it got too cold, I immediately reached out to different vendors to rent a boat/kayak near Charles/MIT. But all the excitement soon gave way to a sense of despair because nobody was renting kayaks for moonlight hours anymore. I refused to give up and took the risky decision of buying boats for the class. To ensure we complied with all rules and followed the best practices, we made a list of steps to ensure safety while having the fun we all deserved. I received the order well in advance, read up on all the manuals, inspected the gear for defects, and stored the items in my housing storage space.

    On Oct 1st, we finished our classes and met on the lawns beside Tang Hall at 5PM. It took us 45 minutes and a crew of 15 to move all the gear close to the river, rig two boats, don all the life-jackets, and be ready to touch down the waters on time. Interestingly, only two of us had any past rowing or kayaking experience. We launched the two boats with five students each and learned how to synchronize paddles.  Since we had only two boats and around 15 of us, we took turns on the boat. Finally, at 7:10PM, we saw the moon rise from behind the many skyscrapers in Boston downtown – it was magical. Everyone was speechless at this moment of seeing the rising moon while on Charles. 

    This moonlight boating was a real Thompson island team building activity for all of us, where we built our own boat and actually performed the entire exercise with the class. I still kept the boats with plans for more during the spring.

  • Fall Fun During Covid-19

    December 19, 2020

    As we began our semester at MIT, excited to embark on this one-year journey in the Supply Chain Management master’s program, a question many of us were asking was: how do we get to know each other, have fun and how do we do it safely?

    In past years, people met in person for the first time during orientation and got to know each other through MIT events, dinners, and nights out in the town. In 2020, none of this was on the table – so we had to get creative!

    Our biggest priority was to keep people safe and stay within the recommended guidelines for group gatherings. This was a hard task as we had to pay attention to new protocols given by MIT and the state of Massachusetts that changed throughout the semester. For instance, Massachusetts was allowing up to 6 people per table at restaurants (and bars, as long as food was served). MIT created some spaces on campus where up to 10 people could congregate while wearing masks. Indoor events were severely limited – no more than 10 people could be together indoors at one time. Despite the restrictions and wanting to keep people as safe as possible, we were able to plan some fun events. Thankfully, Boston’s weather held out for most of the fall which allowed us to stay outdoors through most of November.

    Freedom Trail

    MIT SCM students tour the sights along Boston's Freedom Trail
    The group at the Freedom Trail

    A small group of our cohort ventured out to explore the Freedom Trail on a beautiful fall day. The Freedom Trail is a path throughout the city of Boston that stops along many historical and tourist spots. You can follow the trail which is marked on the sidewalk from Boston Common to Charlestown shipyard! Our group had a lot of fun and enjoyed getting to know each other while learning some Boston history!

    MIT SCM folks at the apple picking farms
    Lost amidst the apples

    Apple Picking

    A traditional fall activity! We set up groups of no more than 4 people to drive up to Parlee farms. Every year this farm hosts apple picking of different varieties, a pumpkin patch, flower picking, and bakery offerings for purchase. Another beautiful fall day allowed us to enjoy the time together outside and scour the orchard for the best apples! Masks on, of course! And, we had apples for days!

    Pumpkin Carving

    Some of our international students were really excited to celebrate Halloween for the first time. This year, because of COVID, traditional costume parties and trick-or-treating were off the table. So, we participated in the nostalgic creation that is pumpkin carving. For many families in the United States, pumpkin carving is a yearly tradition done before Halloween. Often, you leave the pumpkins outside your front door and put a candle inside which shines through your carving at night.

    For this event, we utilized MITs outdoor circles next to Tang hall – a graduate dorm that hosts some of our cohort. Some of the pumpkins turned out amazing and it was fun to teach the ins and outs of pumpkin carving to many who had never carved a pumpkin!

    Pumpkin carving with the SCM Fam

    Random Group Dinners

    This bi-weekly event was probably the most popular event this fall! Every week, members of the SCM cohort who wanted to participate, filled out their availability for a group dinner. The list of available people were then randomized into groups of up to six people! This group had a leader who coordinated a date, time, and restaurant that worked for everyone.

    One from the weekly dinner events

    One of the hardest parts about attending school during COVID is not being able to meet everyone and get to know our classmates. The group dinners enabled people to jump out of their friend groups and enjoy a meal with people they otherwise would not have hung out with.

    Of course, as COVID cases continued to increase in the state of Massachusetts during November, we had to cancel a lot of these events, but we are hoping to continue in the Spring – restrictions, and safety permitting!

  • Building a family in a challenging and intense journey.

    January 15, 2020

    Before coming to MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology), one of the things I heard from everyone about studying in a prestigious university was that it would be highly competitive with a lot of self-centric students. And honestly, I was expecting something similar as well. Why? Imagine that we have a considerable number of people in the world who are trying to come to MIT, and there are only few criteria that can evaluate the candidacy of the applicants, criteria which are measured in individual metrics.  However, after arriving I realized I was wrong.  What I have is more than just classmates or friends. What I have is a family with people who are incredibly smart and with the warmest hearts. 

    Since I was young, I was always eager to travel to different places and meet a lot of people from different cultures. Until July 2018, I was confident that I would never go back to the same location twice, since life is too short to keep returning to the same place. But then, my “travel mindset” was entirely changed by a groundbreaking experience: the MIT Graduate Certificate in Logistics and Supply Chain program (GCLOG). The first three weeks of program at MIT Boston campus in July 2018 and the three incredible weeks of IAP (Independent Activities Period) seminar in January 2019 were the experiences that drove me to the SCM (Supply Chain Management) Program.

    The opportunity to meet students from 5 centers of the MIT Global SCALE Network during IAP in January 2019 was fantastic. Even though our agenda was quite packed with classes from 9 am to 6 pm and assignments in our free time, I was overwhelmed by the joy of learning about best practices of the current SCM field, talking to leaders of the industry, and sharing ideas with them at the world’s best institute.

    From this unique learning experience, wonderful friendships and partnerships flourished among the students. In the second week of IAP, I realized that I would have to contradict myself for the first time: Although I am an all-time traveler who would not want to come back to same place twice, I did want to come back to Boston. And that is when I made up my mind to return to MIT.

    Since I felt so lucky to get into the MIT SCM program, I wanted to contribute to the school using my leadership experience. With  my commitment and my personal objective – transforming a class of 44 students into a huge family – in mind, I was elected president of the SCMr (Supply Chain Management Residential) class.

    Jan 2020 – SCM ski trip

    At the beginning of fall term we were 44 students from different countries, with diverse personalities and individual strengths, what we all shared were big challenges ahead!. From day one we realized that the only way to overcome hardships and the pressure of studying in the most recognized university in the world was to extend our hands to the next person. In the short and intense period of 10 months, we struggle with frustration and difficulties in three areas: exploring a career, developing the skill set, and juggling with stress.

    Firstly, finding the right path after MIT is not an easy task. Since each one of us is a supply chain expert with a diverse industries experience, we ourselves acted as a guide for each other who wanted to explore his/her career in different field. We counted on each other, sharing information about the companies, opportunities, and career fairs, and most importantly, using our free time to help each other prepare for interviews. Not because it was mandatory or the right thing to do, but because we cared about everyone’s success through this program for the people next to us.

    Secondly, MIT SCM program throws you a challenge, asking you to drink from a firehose. Considering different background of each student, it is natural that not everyone has the skillsets to perform best in all these challenges, but since everyone has different skills, we could help each other. The roadblock was surmounted easily even before the program started through the formation of study sessions for peers.

    Lastly, you can easily feel exhausted from studying at MIT.  It is not an easy journey. We have to deal with many stressors such as planning for the next step in our careers, handling multiple assignments, and managing our personal lives. It is easy for anyone to feel like giving up sometimes, especially for international students who may not have English as a first language; they cannot share their feelings as easily. After we spend time together, all the pressure we face can be alleviated, because we know that whenever we have a problem, all we have to do is go to our friends and ask for help.

    I am excited about the evolution of the MIT SCM program that will be made by future incoming students! Once you come here, be ready to shine with your outstanding expertise working as a member of the SCM leadership team (Vice-President, Social Champion, Career Champion, Ambassador, Research Champion, Editor, Academic Champion, or Finance Controller).

    Luiz Barreto | SCM Class of 2020 | SCMr Class President
  • Ever wondered if the weather will be ideal for wearing your Speedo at the MIT commencement ceremony?

    May 30, 2019

    When or When Not to Wear a Speedo at MIT

    So, you are considering going to MIT for six months or more and cannot imagine going without getting your Speedo on and going for a run around campus? Or maybe you just can’t decide whether to bring a one-piece swimsuit, two-piece, Speedo, or board shorts for all the possible future MIT pool parties? If either of these questions has popped into your mind, read on and rest easy, for here we are going to answer both questions and more.

    Winter

    MIT has phenomenal opportunities for wearing a Speedo including the Zesiger or Wang center pools (Zesiger Center pool in image below) and any of the grass fields throughout campus. Although the weather is rather cool in the winter with average daily high temperatures of approximately 38°F (2°C) the Zesiger Center pools are indoors and open all year around. Sometimes MIT recreational sports such as water polo or innertube water polo close portions of the pool or MIT varsity sports such as swimming, diving, and water polo result in all of the pools being closed. But even with the closures there are typically periods of every day where the pool is available for open swimming. Given the availability of a wonderful indoor heated pool, wearing a Speedo is an option for any MIT student/graduate student throughout the entire year. Additionally, intramural and club sports are always available and very welcoming to any individuals looking for a reason to get their swimsuit on. MIT has something for everyone whether you are experienced or not, with physical education swim classes for many skill levels.

    Image from: http://www.mitrecsports.com/aquatics/4-swim-safety-tips-for-summer/

    Summer

    If spending time in the pool isn’t enough time in your Speedo, there are plenty of grass fields located throughout campus to get your tan on. It might be a little cold in the winter, but May is absolutely perfect for some time in the sun. With average daily high temperatures of 69°F (21°C), the month of May presents many opportunities for getting together with a group and lying out in the beautiful grass or taking the time to go for a Speedo run around campus. Killian Court (image below), right in front of the great MIT Dome, has fantastic grassy and sunny areas for soaking up the sun.

    Image from: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:MIT_Killian_Court.jpg Attribution: Madcoverboy at English Wikipedia

    Enjoy MIT

    MIT may be rigorous and challenging but it also presents many opportunities for you to enjoy yourself. If you are looking for a place to expand and grow and still want to participate in sports and enjoy the pool, MIT is the right place for you. MIT has recreational sports, aquatic lessons, and free swimming available for everyone. Come to MIT for the academics and take some time to enjoy the leisure activities. I have taken the time to use MITs pools and gym as well as enjoyed the outdoors and every minute was worth it.

    More information on the MIT pools can be found at: http://www.mitrecsports.com/

  • Optimizing Your Resources through Maximizing MIT Amenities (Regular free food at MIT)

    May 16, 2019
    Bertucci’s Pizza. Commonly found at MIT events.

    Like most college campuses, MIT events with free food are everywhere, with generally three types: regularly scheduled events, special events, and people getting rid of leftovers. Special events are quite well advertised (Sloan events are great), but won’t always line up with your schedule and the free food mailing list is usually hit or miss. In contrast, regular free food events are reliable and rarely have pizza (despite the above picture). That’s great, though, since you’ll likely have more pizza at other events than the last few years combined.

    Muddy’s Wings Night (Wednesdays, 8pm, Muddy Charles Pub)

    Wings (spicy and barbecue), vegetable dumplings and an assortment of vegetables (carrots, celery, cherry tomatoes, and cucumbers). Enjoy with $6 pitcher of beer. Do note that Wings Night does not normally occur during January, but this year they started in the third week of January.

    Tip: If you’re vegetarian, you’ll want to be there right at 8pm as the dumplings are always the first to go.

    Ashdown Coffee Hour (Thursdays, 9-10pm, Ashdown House)

    It’s called Coffee Hour, but I’ve never actually seen anyone drink coffee at this event. People come for the wide selection of fruits, salad, chips, guacamole, cookies, pastries, crackers, cheese, and cured meats. About half an hour in, the empty bowls will get replaced by cake and ice cream (they won’t announce it). If you want free food, this is arguably the best event to be at.

    Tip: You’ll want to get there early if you want the fruits (particularly the berries). People will start lining up 15 to 30 minutes early and the fruits are the first to go.

    Ashdown and Sidney Pacific Brunch (Sunday, once a month for each residence 12pm)

    By far the most popular free food events on campus, the line spans the whole hallway (sometimes across doors) before the event starts. Typical brunch foods such as bacon, waffles, eggs, mashed potatoes, salads, and fruits galore. There’re usually more people than seats available though, so be prepared to go elsewhere or stand to eat if you get there late.

    Tip: Join the Brunch Committee and you’ll get to eat before everyone else.

    Sloan Evening Classes (varies depending on course schedule)

    Sloan evening classes always serve dinner as well. However, registration for Sloan classes is done through a bidding process and you won’t want to use your precious allotted points just to secure free food. If there is a class that you want in the evening though, this serves as a bonus!

    Tip: There’s usually leftovers at the end of class. Combined with the special events and free food mailing list, you can likely cover a quarter of your meals with free food. The only question is: will it conflict with your schedule, or could you have so many pizza?

  • Enjoy the most expensive city for a dollar or less…

    May 13, 2019

    Cambridge, MA is definitely one of the most expensive places on the planet. If you are wondering how to survive in this place on a student’s budget (aka low) and a student’s salary (aka zero), read along and you will be amazed how much is on offer. You will be surprised to realize that the true joys of life are indeed FREE!!!

    Reaching MIT from Airport:

    Figure 1: Route from Logan Airport to MIT
    (Courtesy: Google Maps)

    This is unbelievable unless you experience it yourself. From any of the terminals, you follow public transportation & look for Silver Line buses (SL1). It has a frequency of 10 mins most of the time. The bus is free and terminates at Boston South station on Red Line, and takes you past the fare gates. Take the train to Alewife, which has a frequency of 5 mins most of the time, and 4 stops later, you are at Kendall/MIT. You can even do it with usual luggage items. This is one of the best incentives any airport has created to reduce cars and promote public transport. Being able to reach MIT without cash, cards, local sim or Wi-Fi is an awesome way to ‘Go Green’!

    MIT ID Card:

    Your MIT ID card is free and it provides access to amazing places for free.

    • MIT Museum: Check out this geeky utopia any day of the week. The gestural engineering gallery marries art and science in a novel way and deserves a museum of its own. On weekends, look out for Idea Hub where on-hand science experiments await the young and the old. Other galleries keep changing now and then, so you are sure to see something new in every visit. Don’t miss the museum shop – it has cool nerdy stuff for your nieces and nephews, besides yourself. Entry is free with MIT ID, otherwise it costs 15$ for adults. As a bonus, you can also take one human being (who doesn’t have an MIT ID) for free!!!
    • Museum of Science: This nugget of knowledge and everything related to science is on a bridge to Boston. It is a pleasant walk from Kendall and also right on the Green Line (E) – but walking takes less time. Entry to the exhibit gallery is free with Student MIT ID (unfortunately Spouse MIT ID is not acceptable), otherwise it costs 28$ for adults.
    • Museum of Fine Arts: Enjoy an awesome collection of art galleries in an equally awesome building. Entry is free with MIT ID, otherwise it costs 25$ for adults. There are other free times worth checking out if you are visiting with friends and family. It is right on the Green Line (E), so you can take the Red Line from Kendall and change at Park Street.
    • Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum: A great place to visit for the art connoisseurs. It is a 5-minute walk from Longwood on the Green Line (E), so you can take the Red Line from Kendall and change at Park Street. Entry is free with MIT ID, otherwise it costs 28$ for adults. Of course, if your parents were wise enough to name you Isabella, you don’t need this tip!
    • MIT ID Card for your Spouse: If you are staying on campus, your spouse ‘needs’ the ID card to access the residence. This implies that they get MIT ID card for free (usually it costs 25$). Just submit the online application and wait for Grad Housing to verify the residential status and approve it before you go to Atlas Center.

    MIT Account:

    Your Kerberos ID and/or MIT email address provides access to many events for free.

    • Concerts: Look out for MIT symphony and other musical events in MIT event calendars. If you book them through your MIT account, access is free (usually 5$ for public).
    • Seminars and Speaker Series: Check out MIT event calendars for mind-blowing and mind-bending topics covered by professionals and academics. Most of them are free when booked through your MIT account, though some may require you to join some clubs (mostly for free) as a pre-requisite.
    • MIT Shuttles: Enjoy the nice and spacious vans with courteous drivers happy to move you around the campus and beyond. Use the MIT Mobile app to check routes, timings, live tracking & set alerts for arrival.
    • Tech Shuttle covers the entire campus during mornings and evenings. The route changes slightly in the afternoon, as it skips Kendall & turns at Ames St.
      • SafeRide Shuttle is another version of Tech Shuttle with reduced frequency after evening hours. There is also an on-demand version when it is really late.
      • Grocery Shuttle is available during Sundays. Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods beyond west end of the campus are covered multiple times every Sunday. Costco and Target (at Everett) are covered twice during first three Sundays every month
      • For those venturing out of campus regularly, there are more shuttle options – check out https://web.mit.edu/facilities/transportation/shuttles/index.html or Shuttles menu within MIT Mobile App.

    Costco Card Loan:

    Graduate students can borrow a Costco card from MIT Copytech office (in Main Building basement 11-004) for free. Only catch is the availability – you can check before going there, but they won’t hold the card for you. If you take it on Thu/Fri, you need to return it on Monday. Fines are steep, so make sure you don’t splurge the savings on lack of discipline.

    MIT Medical:

    Your basic student health coverage is part of tuition fee and gives you access to non-emergency services at MIT Medical (Building E18). Here are some additional free services you may not be aware of:

    • Tea/Coffee at entrance
      • Safe sex supplies on 3rd floor
      • Health checkup mandated by school for your kids
      • Immunizations mandated by school for your kids

    MIT Recreation:

    Access to most of the sports and recreation facilities is free for the student (families need to pay a separate fee). You just need to enroll and sign the liability waiver. You can access the services at Z-Center and Alumni/Wang Center.

    MIT Libraries:

    While access to libraries is something everyone knows about, here are some special tips:

    • No one needs an MIT ID to enter the library or read anything within the library.
      • Your spouse’s MIT ID can be setup for library access for them to issue books.
      • You can select books across the MIT libraries and have then held at one closest to you.
      • You can order books from partner libraries (via BorrowDirect service).
      • You can request case studies to be ordered online for you (via Illiad service).
      • You can access 24×7 quiet study spaces (you will need MIT ID to access).
      • You can book rooms for self-study or group study (access controlled by MIT ID).

    Software:

    IS&T provides free access to many OS, utility and productivity software of your choice.

    Atlas Center:

    This place is not only for getting your MIT ID. You can also get free tea/coffee/hot chocolate inside waiting area. You also have access to hardware/software support services here for free. Make sure to enjoy the 3-D printed model of entire MIT campus on display.

    MIT Tunnel Network:

    This is a life-saver during the harsh winters of north-east. The tunnel network covers most of the main building area and goes east till E17. It is easy to navigate once you have the map: http://web.mit.edu/facilities/maps/mit_Tunnel_map.pdf. While under the Infinite Corridor, you might be lucky enough to see the glass blowing lab in action.

    MIT Compton Lounge:

    You can enjoy this innovation in stress-relief managed by UnderGrads (in Building 26-110). You need your MIT ID to access the room, which is full of Legos, tea/coffee, craft material, and bananas!

    MIT FX:

    MIT Furniture Exchange is a non-profit setup run by women at the far west end of the campus. You can pick up some great deals on furniture and kitchen items, as long as you bring your MIT ID. The table at exit contains amazing stuff such as books, crockery, chairs, etc. that you can take for free!

    Movies at MIT:

    LSC organizes movies which are free at many times of the year. Check out their website for showtimes: http://lsc.mit.edu/schedule/current/.

    Around Cambridge neighborhood

    Cambridge Public Library

    Cambridge Public Library Stone Building Image Courtesy: CPL Website

    You need a proof of residence to become a library member for free. MIT ID is not enough, but Housing is happy to give you a letter that serves the purpose. Here are some useful tips:

    • No one needs a card to enter the library or read anything within the library.
      • You can issue as many books as you wish as long as you can keep track of them.
      • You can request books anywhere in the Minuteman network to be held at the library closest to you.
      • You can avail free/discounted passes/coupons to attractions in Cambridge/Boston.
      • You can access free Wi-Fi throughout the vicinity of the library.

    Cambridge Public School District

    If your kid is 4 years and above, you can enroll them in free public school starting at Pre-Kindergarten. All public schools within the district are grouped together and you can access them in your preferred order. Make sure to get the immunizations in order, and have relevant documentary evidence during registration. For proof of residence within Cambridge, you can request Housing to issue a standard letter. School bus eligibility depends on travel distance, and is free if provided. Breakfast is free for students.

    CambridgeSide Shuttle Service:

    The CambridgeSide mall is home to many retail outlets and restaurants/food court. While it is a short walk to the mall, the free shuttle service from/to Kendall square is much appreciated during bad weather or hands full of shopping bags.

    USS Constitution:

    USS Constitution Ship
    Image Courtesy: US Navy Website

    Charlestown Navy Yard is home to the USS Constitution ship that you can visit for free. Make sure to carry your State ID or Passport (MIT ID will not suffice) to enter the ship. Guided tours by Naval officers are really worth waiting for. You can also check out the USS Constitution Museum nearby which has lots of fun activities for kids. Access to museum is free if you book an online pass via Cambridge Public Library. Otherwise, you can enter for free and donate what you can afford.

    What you could get from Harvard

    Harvard Semitic Museum:

    This boutique museum set in a three-story house and covers history of Israel, Egypt and Mesopotamia. Entry is free and it open on Sundays. You can park your MIT ID card to get an iPad loaded with some of the interactive features within the galleries.  You also get free Wi-Fi within Harvard campus once you register.

    Harvard Art Museums:

    This represents a collection of three museums in the Harvard campus. Entry is free if you have a student ID (such as MIT ID) or you have a Cambridge residence proof, otherwise it is 15$ for adults.

    Harvard Museum of Natural History

    This museum is sure to charm the young and old alike as long as they stay curious. You can see lots of amazing exhibits in a very small space (one would wish they had twice the display space). Entry is free on Sundays if you enter between 9am to 12 noon as long as you have Cambridge residence proof; otherwise, it is 15$ for adults.

    Inside the Widener Library. Photo Credit The Harvard Crimson

    Harvard Library:

    MIT student could visit the Widener Library’s privileges office for a Harvard library card. You could enjoy the environment of oldest university libraries in North America.

    Going to Boston:

    There are two bridges (Longfellow Bridge near Sloan & Harvard Bridge near MIT little dome) connecting Cambridge to Boston that are very close to MIT. Depending on which part of the campus you are at, a walk along the bridge is your free ride to Boston.

    Boston Children’s Museum:

    OK, this museum is not really free, but if you go on Fridays after 5PM, it costs 1$. For all the fun you can have with your kids till 9PM, I would say it is a wonderful deal. Remember that you need to enter with a kid, otherwise you need to deposit your ID at reception.

    Hope you make the best of your time at MIT & Cambridge, while enjoying the good life for free!

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