Greetings, Students & Scholars!

Pumpkin spice and everything nice, October is in full swing! The leaves are changing, and pumpkins are popping up all over. This week is the perfect opportunity to pick up a pumpkin, enjoy a fall festival, or watch a classic Halloween movie with friends. We hope you enjoy this issue of the OIE "Friday Greetings" email.

OIE & CMU News & Events

International Travel Considerations

As we look ahead, if you plan on traveling internationally, you'll want to check out OIE's International Travel Considerations. While there are hopeful signs that the worst of the pandemic may be behind us, the pandemic is still creating significant impacts on international travel. OIE encourages community members considering international travel to assess their situations carefully in the months ahead and as plans are made for the upcoming winter break.

Latinx Hispanic Heritage Month Film Series

Warm tone banner graphic with word Latinx Hispanic Heritage Month Film Series

Catch the screening of Dolores on Sunday, Oct. 17 from 4 to 6 p.m., in Posner Hall 153. This event is hosted by the Department of Modern Languages and the Dietrich College's Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and rounds out their Latinx Hispanic Heritage Month Film Series. View additional information and schedule.

Paws to Relax Pet Therapy

Paws to Relax graphic, white curly haired dog wearings a CMU blue, green, and red plaid scarf, and a banner saying Paws to Relax

Feeling that mid-semester stress? Take a moment to "paws" with the Mindfulness Room's resident therapy dogs Bree and Sandy, and Janice French, Associate Director of Alumni Relations, in the Tepper School of Business. Join the team of the Mindfulness Room on Wednesday, Oct. 20 from 7 to 8 p.m., in the Mindfulness Room located on the ground floor of West Wing for an abbreviated return of their Paws to Relax program. Janice will have one dog with her each week, and we welcome you to stop by for a "paws" in your day!

Our Pittsburgh Picks

Monster Pumpkins Festival

Giant pumpkins with artistic carvings

Head on over to the Strip District this weekend for this giant event! The city's favorite pumpkin patch will create a sea of orange all weekend long. Enjoy watching world-renowned carvers and graffiti artists turn pumpkins into art, see a pumpkin weighing 1,800 pounds drop 100 feet into water, compete in a pumpkin pie plunge, and make glass pumpkins. Check out their full schedule of events.

Mars Rising - A Fall Slavnost

Black, white, grey, and red banner with black text Mars Rising - a Fall Slavnost with Andrea Stanislav

Head on over to the Mattress Factory, one of Pittsburgh's coolest museums, for a fall Slavnost (Czech for celebration and/or festival). Saturday, Oct. 16 from 2 to 5 p.m., enjoy drop-in workshops where you can make a traditional Motanka doll, or traditional Czech and Slovak masks, or stop by a presentation on the historical and cultural background of Russian and Eastern European folk art. You can also watch a performance by Pittsburgh's iconic Slavic folk dance troupe The Tamburitzans or take a tour of the new Surmatants - Mars Rising exhibit with artist Andréa Stanislav. Hungry for more? Food trucks featuring delicious Slavic food will be available all day as well. Tickets are required for this event and can be purchased in advance.

Oak Ave Live

Just a few blocks away from campus, check out the free outdoor concert series! Head over to Oakland Ave. Saturday, Oct. 16, from 6 to 9 p.m., for live performances by Ally Isabella and Noa Jordan! Dance in the streets of Oakland at the Oakland Business Improvement District's outdoor concert series! Come for the live music, stay for the good vibes. FREE and open to all. Additional information is available here.

The Great Pumpkin Patch and Film Screening

Pumpkin graphic with image of Hocus Pocus movie poster on right

Check out the pop-up pumpkin patch and fall festival Saturday, Oct. 16 from 2 to 6 p.m., at the Southside Works North Lot, and stay for a screening of Hocus Pocus starting at 7 p.m.! Head on over for pumpkins, fall treats, pumpkin carving, free caricatures and more. Then stick around to watch Hocus Pocus on the big screen to put you in the Halloween spirit. Tickets are not required; more information and directions are available here.
*Some venues may be limited to those age 21+

Have an Event or Announcement for Friday Greetings?

If you have an event or announcement that you wish to submit for inclusion in OIE's Friday Greetings newsletter, please submit it to ES-Communications@andrew.cmu.edu. Information should be submitted by Wednesday at 5 p.m. EST for inclusion in the following Friday's newsletter.

CMU's Office of International Education distributed this email. You are receiving it because of your status as an international student or scholar.

Carnegie Mellon University
Office of International Education
5000 Forbes Ave, Cyert Hall, Suite 101
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
www.cmu.edu/oie