OISS at Yale University

Last but not least, say hi to Vanessa, our 4th Orientation Ambassador for this year’s graduate and professional student orientations!

Hi, my name is Vanessa (she/her)! I moved from Montreal (Quebec) Canada this past August to start a PhD in the Genetics department. Prior to moving to New Haven, I was living in Montreal completing a Master’s in Biology. Outside of school, I have a wide variety of interests but I am passionate about scientific communication and community outreach. In my free time, I love hiking, trying new restaurants and cafes, and attending concerts.

A day trip to Northampton made for the perfect summer escape!

OISS spent the last weekend exploring one of New England’s most charming towns, making custom candles at Yankee Candle Village, wandering around Smith College, discovering local shops, and finding plenty of delicious food along the way.

Thanks to everyone who joined us for another summer adventure. We can’t wait to see where the next trip takes us!

Fun fact: did you see the artistic blue bowl in the last photo? It’s designed by artist Ellen Driscoll and doubles as a functional toilet bowl in the museum!

Say hi to Sarthak, our third Orientation Ambassador for this Summer’s graduate and professional student orientation!

Hey! I am Sarthak (he,him), an MBA Candidate at the Yale School of Management, from India. Outside
the classroom, you will find me enjoying a game of soccer, attending cross-school mixers, and
exploring the food scene in New Haven and New York.

I have been in the U.S. for a couple of years now, and having navigated the excitement (and
occasional chaos!) of arriving in a new country, I understand how much a friendly face and a
little guidance can mean during those first few weeks. I love meeting people from all over the
world, so don’t hesitate to reach out and say hello!

Football (aka soccer) is always better together ⚽❤️

It was such a fun Sunday afternoon watching the World Cup Final with our international community! Thanks to everyone who joined us and brought the energy and cheers, we’re already looking forward to more watch parties at OISS!

Another amazing mushroom foraging trip at East Rock! 🍄🌿

Karen and Robert from Karen Raczewski Monger once again led a wonderful tour for Yale international students and scholars. We found countless edible mushrooms, including chanterelles, wood ear, black-staining polypores, and so much more.

Along the way, we learned about the edible plants and fungi found throughout southern Connecticut, their symbiotic relationships, and the impact invasive species have on the local ecosystem.

A huge thank you to Karen and Robert for generously sharing their time and expertise. We can’t wait for our next foraging adventure!

OISS is pumped to introduce our 2nd Orientation Ambassador of this season: Logan Gillingham (M.Arch ‘28)!

Hi everyone! My name is Logan Gillingham (they/them), and I am originally from Canada! At Yale, I am going into my second year of the Masters of Architecture program, where I focus on accessible design and analogue representation. Outside of school, you can find me trying every possible creative activity–sewing, drawing, painting, and making earrings–staying active–hockey, field hockey, para-hockey, frisbee, and badminton—or reading a good book while sipping some tea!

I am so excited to be an Orientation Ambassador this summer and connect with all the other international grad and professional students!

A summer evening by the water with OISS crew 🌊

We hopped on a short train ride from New Haven to explore this charming shoreline town and enjoyed the waterfront views at NEBCO Brewery. Sometimes all it takes is a 15-minute train ride to discover a new favorite spot in Connecticut. Thanks to everyone who joined us!

Meet our new OISS Orientation Ambassadors for Summer and Fall 2026! 🌟

We’re excited to work with our four new ambassadors as we welcome incoming graduate and professional students this orientation season. First up is Aileen Chung (MPH ‘27), say hello and get to know her!

Exploring New Haven with OISS! 🌞

New Haven is home to two weekend farmers markets during the summer, and we hopped on a local bus to visit the one at Edgewood Park! We supported local businesses, and played a few pickleball matches!

Whether you’re joining an OISS outing or exploring on your own, hop on CTtransit this summer and discover all the fun happening around New Haven!