For Nicholas Maurer, an international PhD student from Australia pursuing his degree in social and engineering systems through the Institute of Data, Systems, and Society, MIT was a lifelong goal. Growing up in Australia with a background in physics and engineering, he worked as a researcher, but never stopped wondering what it would be like to study at MIT.
When the opportunity came two years ago, he and his wife Andrea made the leap across the world, bringing their young children Elaine, 5, and Zachary, 3, with them. “It was always on my radar,” Maurer recalls. “Coming to MIT felt like a dream come true.”
Weighing their options
Maurer’s wife, Andrea, explains that it was “always in the cards” for the couple to travel for his studies, but neither of them expected this step to come after they had kids. Nevertheless, when Nicholas received multiple PhD offers, the decision came down to one crucial factor: support for their family of four. Together, the couple researched resources before deciding on the move. MIT's commitment to student parents stood out immediately.
As they learned more about the MIT Grant for Graduate Students with Children, on-campus childcare options, and Westgate — MIT's dedicated student family housing — their interest grew. They could tell that MIT cared about building a real home for its families.
Finding community in Westgate and beyond
Their residence has become far more than housing for the Maurer family; it's the heart of their MIT experience. Maurer credits the dedicated family accommodation with helping them form instant connections. “The biggest support has been Westgate,” he says.
For both Nicholas and Andrea, the international character of Westgate held special meaning. After moving from Australia, being surrounded by families from around the world eased the transition. The couple eventually became more involved with the Westgate community as parent resource coordinators, helping maintain connections among other parents and spouses.
When the family initially arrived at MIT, Andrea also found friendships through MIT Spouses and Partners Connect (MIT S&PC). “Meeting other spouses provided great comfort as others shared their experiences navigating this new life,” she explained, adding that it was helpful to see how others supported their partners through various MIT programs.
Although financial cuts necessitated S&PC's closure last year, she has been able to keep the spirit of the initiative going through informal meetups and coffee hours.
Parenting at MIT
The family has made the most of MIT's community offerings, attending student-parent lunches during finals week, visiting Rock Spot for rock climbing, and enjoying free ice cream events. They've also taken advantage of MIT Activities Committee discounts for family activities, allowing them to explore the greater Boston area.
Although the supports are substantial, Maurer is candid about the realities of balancing a PhD with parenting. “It's not for the fainthearted,” he says. “It takes a lot of time management and being honest with your capacity. I have learned to say no to some social activities or enrolling in that extra class I’m interested in, in favor of focusing on my core research objectives and supporting my family.”
Amid the challenges, though, there's genuine joy. “It's been amazing seeing our kids meet and play with kids from all over the world,” Maurer reflects. “MIT is an amazing place.”
