Embrace Lifelong Learning with the HSSPA Auditing Group:
Enrich Your Harvard Experience by Auditing Courses as a Spouse or Partner.
Moving to a new city or country to support a partner who's attending Harvard can be challenging, especially for international spouses and partners. While their partners are occupied with classes and assignments, spouses and family members often find themselves with more time at hand. That's where the Harvard Students' Spouses and Partners Association (HSSPA) comes in, providing a safe space for community members to engage in various activities, find support, and make connections.
One way to make the most of this extra time and engage with the Harvard community is by auditing classes. Auditing a class involves attending lectures and participating in various aspects of the course, such as readings, assignments, and presentations, depending on the professor and your personal goals. While you won't earn credits or be formally assessed, some auditors have even received feedback on their work from professors and fellow classmates, allowing for a more enriching and engaging experience. Auditing can greatly enhance the personal and professional lives of family members. Although any spouse or partner of a Harvard student can audit classes independently, the process can be overwhelming. From obtaining permissions to choosing the right classes, it takes considerable time, energy, and effort. That's where the HSSPA Auditing Group steps in, offering a supportive community to help members make informed decisions and get a taste of Harvard student life by auditing classes – completely free of cost!
While supporting his wife, Rachel, who is pursuing her Master's degree at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, Wayne VanderKoogh discovered the opportunity to audit classes through HSSPA. He found a course related to his profession in audiometry back in Australia at the Harvard Medical School. Wayne shared his experience, saying, "After emailing the professor and providing a short blurb about my background, I was invited to attend and participate in the class. Working alongside trainee surgeons, this has been a highlight of my time here in Cambridge." The HSSPA has given Wayne the chance to expand his knowledge and engage with the Harvard community, making his time in Cambridge more rewarding.
Individual HSSPA members were already auditing classes on their own, but there were no centralized efforts to support and guide them. Upon learning about the experiences of Wayne, Nakul, and Purvaja auditing classes, I suggested that they consider starting a group to inspire and help others. As a result, the HSSPA Course Auditors group was formed through the joint efforts of Purvaja, Wayne, and Nakul, with Purvaja taking the lead.
Some of the most significant benefits of auditing classes at Harvard University for HSSPA members include:
- Exposure to a diverse range of subjects and disciplines, allowing you to explore new areas of interest and expand your knowledge.
- Access to world-class faculty, providing a unique opportunity to learn from leading experts in their fields.
- Developing a deeper connection to the Harvard community by participating in the rich intellectual environment on campus.
- Enhancing your personal and professional growth through continuous learning and self-improvement.
- Building friendships and connections with fellow HSSPA members who share similar interests, fostering a sense of belonging and camaraderie.
"Auditing courses is one of the best gifts our family experienced this year." - Leonardo Kamillius from the Harvard Kennedy School
Nakul, another HSSPA member, shares a similar sentiment: "The opportunity to audit classes across various universities has been a transformative experience, enabling me to learn from a diverse array of experts and enhance my personal growth."
With the HSSPA Auditing Group, spouses and partners can immerse themselves in Harvard's intellectual landscape, fostering connections and growth. Already, over 50+ HSSPA members are auditing classes across various schools, including Harvard Kennedy School, Harvard Business School, and Harvard Medical School. The existing group members are more than happy to support new members in choosing classes to audit and obtaining the necessary permissions.
Purvaja, who spearheaded the group, says, "Our mission is to empower spouses and partners to explore Harvard's intellectual landscape and feel more connected to the university." By creating a space for HSSPA members to share their experiences and learn from each other, the HSSPA Auditing Group upholds the power of the Harvard community and its mission and vision.
As HSSPA carries its legacy of support and connection into its second century, we invite you to join the HSSPA Auditing Group and embrace this remarkable opportunity. To get started, please reach out to Purvaja.
Here's to lifelong learning and fostering a vibrant community for spouses and partners at Harvard University.
Warm regards,
Abhishek Suryawanshi,
President, HSSPA