February 11, 2022

Greetings, Students & Scholars!

Happy Olympics, Valentine’s, and Superbowl weekend! This weekend is packed with holidays and events, and OIE is excited for each and every one of them. Maybe you want to watch the Superbowl this weekend, or cheer on your home country in the Olympics, or catch a Penguins game. Perhaps you’re more interested in seeing a movie or a concert. This week we really do have it all! We hope you enjoy this issue of the OIE “Friday Greetings” email.

OIE & CMU News & Events

Tax Season Reminder

Tax season is here, and the deadline to file taxes in the U.S. is April 18. Be on the lookout in the coming weeks for an email with more information and resources from OIE.

Superbowl Sunday is Here!

The Pittsburgh Steelers might not be in the Superbowl this year, but that doesn’t mean people across the city aren’t excited to watch the big game on Sunday. Whether you’re new to American football and want to know what everyone’s talking about, or you got invited to a Superbowl watch party and want to brush up on the game, check out this video. There’s something for everyone on Superbowl Sunday; whether you like sports, you’re excited for the halftime show with Mary J. Blige, or maybe you’re just here to watch the commercials (trust us, people care about the commercials as much as the actual game). The Superbowl is a unique experience!

Strategic Social Impact @ CMU Introductory Fellowship

What if you could help prevent the next pandemic? Or tackle pressing issues like climate change, extreme poverty, global public health, nuclear security, risks from advanced A.I., or animal welfare? The Strategic Social Impact Fellowship helps students figure out how to create positive change with their careers by combining evidence and compassion to find the best opportunities to improve the world. Strategic Social Impact @ CMU will also discuss criticisms of and uncertainties surrounding effective altruism. This seven-week fellowship will start in late-February and run until April. It will feature weekly discussions and optional socials to consider how students can increase their positive impact through future careers. Applications are due Feb. 16 at 11:59 p.m.

Lives Uprooted: A Panel on the Transition in Afghanistan

Interested in the role Pittsburgh plays on the international stage? On Thursday, Feb. 17, from 5 to 7 p.m., check out the Lives Uprooted panel. This panel will feature discussions regarding America’s withdrawal of military forces in late August 2021 and how Pittsburgh was chosen as one of 19 American cities to serve as welcoming communities to house Afghan families. The discussion, moderated by Ethan Pullman from the Carnegie Mellon University Libraries, will focus on Afghan resettlement in the Pittsburgh area. The panel features Ivonne Smith-Tapia, the director of Refugee and Immigrant Services at Jewish Family and Community Services of Pittsburgh; Sohrab Bakhshi, contractor for the U.S. Military and former Afghan refugee, who personally experienced the transition when he was brought to the U.S. under a Special Immigrant Visa; historian Emanuela Grama, associate professor and director of Global Studies at CMU, who will discuss dislocation and its related side effects; and Daniel Silverman, assistant professor in Carnegie Mellon’s Institute for Politics and Strategy. This panel is offered in both a virtual and in-person format, and registration is required.

Khuraki: A Celebration of Afghanistan’s Culture in Pittsburgh

Are you interested in a night dedicated to celebrating Afghan culture? On Tuesday, Feb. 15, from 5 to 7 p.m., you can enjoy Khuraki: A Celebration of Afghanistan’s Culture in the Rangos Ballroom in the Cohon University Center. Khuraki is an interactive theater performance with food and music designed to challenge “perceptions about Afghanistan while supporting a group of Afghan female refugees in their goal to start a collectively-owned food business in Pittsburgh.” Learn more about Khuraki, and register online.

Jeopardy! National College Championship! Watch Party

TartanProud for 600: This senior Carnegie Mellon biology major is competing in the Jeopardy! National College Championship. Answer: Who is Kristin Donegan? Jeopardy! is one of the longest-running and most beloved quiz shows in the U.S., and our own Kristin Donegan is competing! Join your fellow Tartans in McConomy Auditorium in the Cohon University Center on Tuesday, Feb. 15, at 7:30 p.m. for the watch party! Stick around after the episode airs to chat with Kristin.

Creative Arts Career Fair

Interested in a career in the arts? Check out the Creative Arts Career Fair on Thursday, Feb. 17, from 2:30 to 6 p.m. The Creative Arts Career Fair seeks to connect students interested in creative industries with employers! Registration is required for this in-person event; please see Handshake for more details.

Carnegie Mellon Wind Ensemble

The talent of Tartan’s is unmatched! Head on over to Soldiers and Sailor’s Memorial Hall, at 4141 Fifth Avenue, on Saturday, Feb. 12, from 4 to 6 p.m., for a wind ensemble concert. The Carnegie Mellon Wind Ensemble highlights winds, brass, and percussion instruments to perform everything from standard concert compositions to contemporary pieces. This event is free and open to all, though registration is required.

Contemporary Ensemble: Behind the Veil

Journey behind the Veil in this stunning performance! Head on over to the Kelly Strayhorn Theater, at 5941 Penn Ave, on Sunday, Feb. 13, from 07:30 to 09:30 p.m., and check out what’s sure to be an unforgettable night. The Carnegie Mellon Contemporary Ensemble performs music composed over the last twenty years, featuring a unique blend of technology, improvisation, and theatrical elements. The Ensemble often highlights the work of students and faculty. This event is free and open to the public, and tickets are required.

Connect with us on Social Media

Join us on LinkedIn and Twitter! OIE has officially made the switch to Twitter and LinkedIn. Follow us on Twitter to stay up to date with the latest announcements and all things OIE related. Join our LinkedIn group, and get connected with the OIE community! You can expect the same great content, including all things OIE, news and events, our Friday Greeting round-up, and more. As always, you can reach out directly to OIE by emailing us at oie@andrew.cmu.edu. We hope to see you there!

Our Pittsburgh Picks

Cirque Mechanics in Birdhouse Factory

Runaway to the circus with this show! Cirque Mechanics is set in a 1930’s widget factory and inspired by the murals of Mexican- born artist Diego Rivera, cartoonist Rube Goldberg and the slap-stick humor of Charlie Chaplin. On Saturday, Feb. 12, at 7 p.m., at the Byham Theater, see a contortionist perform on a turntable powered by unicyclists. Be captivated by the trapeze artist flying high thanks to the spins of an acrobat inside a giant gear-like wheel. Be stunned as the trampoline wall artists defy the laws of physics. Giggle at the characters’ antics, be impressed by the acro-dancing, and enchanted by the story of laughter, love, flight and birdhouses. Learn more about the show, and purchase tickets in advance.

Row House Cinema

Did you know Pittsburgh was home to one of the first movie theaters? Row House Cinema might not be that theater, but they carry on the film tradition in our city. Opened in June of 2014, Row House features new, old, popular, weird, amazing, and obscure movies all year long. Serving locally made concessions and their famous all-natural popcorn, they are a great spot to check out. Right now, Row House is running a Valentine’s Day series, with everything from horror to historical romances. Proof of covid-19 vaccination or a negative COVID test taken within 72 hours is currently required to enter the theater, and tickets are available online.

Penguins Student Rush Tickets

Every day is a great day for hockey in Pittsburgh, but student rush days might be our favorites. On Tuesday, Feb. 15 at 10 a.m., you can score discounted Student Rush tickets for that night’s Penguins vs. Flyers match-up! Game time is 7 p.m., and more information is available.

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