Visiting Graduate Students, Scholars, and Researchers
Arranging and Preparing for Your Visit at WPI
The first step in coming to WPI as a visiting graduate student, scholar, or researcher is to make formal arrangements for the educational, training, or research opportunity. These arrangements should be made with a member of the WPI community, often a WPI faculty member, and will require an official appointment letter issued by the WPI Provost Office. These arrangements need to be made whether the visitor is domestic or international. International visitors should review the visa classification and visa application process and direct any questions regarding visas to:
International Faculty and Scholars Services:
Phone: 508-831-6030
Email: Hartvig@wpi.edu
Traveling to WPI
The WPI campus is in Worcester, Massachusetts, the second largest city in New England. Worcester is approximately one hour away from the major cities of Boston, Massachusetts; Springfield, Massachusetts; Providence, Rhode Island; Hartford, Connecticut; and Manchester, New Hampshire. Worcester is approximately, three hours from New York City. Worcester has a small airport with flights by Jet Blue, Delta, and American Airlines to/from New York City, Philadelphia, Detroit, Fort Lauderdale, and Orlando. Most international visitors fly into Logan Airport in Boston or one of the airports in and around New York City. Worcester also has a train station with regularly scheduled service to and from Boston as well as Amtrak train service between Boston, Chicago, and New York City. More details on traveling to/from Worcester can be found here.
International visitors should review the steps they need to take prior to and following their travel to the USA and WPI. Additional helpful information can be found here.
Housing and Accommodations
Worcester has a variety of longer-term housing and short-term accommodation options available for visitors. Beyond housing and accommodations, the city has other resources and services that may be of interest, particularly for those planning extended visits to WPI.
Life at WPI
While at WPI, there are numerous resources visitors can utilize, including a variety of academic, research, and community resources and services that will enrich their visit at WPI. International visitors should review the information about the US Healthcare system and be sure to secure a health insurance plan that will suit their needs and complies with regulations. For example, the following three health plans comply with J-1 visa requirements: www.studenthealthusa.com , www.isoa.org, and www.betins.com .