WELCOME TO THE INTERNATIONAL SPOUSE AND PARTNER NETWORK (ISPN)

Welcome to the International Spouse and Partner Network (ISPN) of Columbia University! The ISPN is open to all spouses and partners of students and scholars at Columbia. This is a great way to meet others from different countries, form friendships and learn some tips to help you adjust to life here in New York and at Columbia.

We are excited to start the 2009-10 academic year with a welcome lunch on September 18th from 12:30-3pm. You will have the opportunity to meet other spouses, partners and children of students and scholars who are also new to this neighborhood. You will also be able to meet the continuing participants who will be happy to share their knowledge and experiences with you. At the welcome lunch, we will have an array of speakers to tell you about their organizations and volunteer opportunities in NYC.

We also have monthly lunch meetings on the first Friday of every month starting in October. The monthly meetings will be held at the International House from 12:15-2pm. You can either enter at 500 Riverside Drive or meet at the ISSO and we can walk over together. Please make sure you bring a photo ID. You can bring your own lunch or buy something at the cafeteria. All children are welcome.

In addition to Network activities listed on our webpage, you are also invited to participate in other ISSO programs throughout the year, including Celebrating New York! activities. Please see our Incoming Students and Scholars web site for for more information.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to phone our office at 854-3587 or send an e-mail to issoispn@columbia.edu.


*Last Name:

*First Name:

Please indicate name of principal student or scholar:

Student or Scholar? Student Scholar

*Country of Origin:

Birthday

Month Day

*E-mail:

Address:

*Phone number:

*Hobbies/interests:

*Children
(indicate Boy or Girl and Date of birth):
*When did/will you arrive in the U.S.? (month/year) Month Year
*Length of time you plan to stay in NY:

Special talent/skills that you would like
to share with others:

Before I leave NYC, I would like to

1.)
2.)
3.)

ISPN Directory Release

The purpose of this directory is to help spouses/partners connect with others while they are here in New York. The only information that will be in the directory are the following: *Name, country, email, phone number, interests, children (if any), arrival in US, length of stay

  Yes, I want to be in the directory and I agree to have my directory information made public to others in the ISPN.
  No, I do not want to be in the directory

Interest Groups

Are you interested in meeting others who share your interests? Here is a list of groups of interest to most spouses/partners. If you would like to form a new group, please let us know!

Playgroup
This group is designed for parents and their children. Get together with other parents and share your tips on childcare and maybe exchange some babysitting time!

Exercise Group
Looking for a jogging partner? Need a tennis partner or want to join a dance class? Meet others who also want to exercise.

Museums/Art Galleries
Do you enjoy going to museums? New York City is rich in culture and history with hundreds of great exhibitions at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), the Guggenheim, the American Museum of Natural History and many more.

  Interest groups *Would you like to be the lead contact person?
Playgroup Yes
Exercise group Yes
Museum/art gallery Yes
Other Yes

*Lead contact person: the group is what you make of it. If you have suggestions for what you would like to see the group do or places to go, maybe you would like to help lead the group. As the lead contact person, you will help coordinate the interests of the others in the group and help lead events.

Please note: If you express interest in a particular group, your contact information will be made public to others who also express the same interests.
Fall Arrivals Welcome Lunch

Friday, September 18, 2009
12:30 to 3 pm
International House
500 Riverside Drive

Please note: The welcome lunch is only for spouses/partners and children. As the primary students/scholars are busy doing their research or attending class, this is an opportunity for spouses/partners to form their own connections. There will be future events open to couples and families.

Will you attend the Welcome Lunch?

Yes No Number of children