What We Do

Our Mission

Global Support Services (GSS) provides tools and guidance to help Harvard go abroad. GSS is a hub for addressing global issues affecting finance, human resources, and other operational units. We combine internal expertise, best-practice standards, and high-quality customer service to help the Harvard community meet their international goals.

Our Role

Whatever the scope of your international activities and needs, we’ll do our best to answer your questions and if necessary, connect you with the right contacts and services across the University. Some examples of our work are listed below:

• Consulting with staff or faculty traveling to a high-risk location
• Providing guidance to an administrator planning a new study abroad program
• Consulting with a faculty member conducting field research regarding safety concerns, financial management while abroad, and Harvard Travel Assist medical and security services
• Finding out how to do business in a new jurisdiction, such as opening a foreign bank account, employing staff, and establishing a legal presence
• Coordinating with the Office of Sponsored Programs to assist a faculty member with international shipment of research equipment
• Reaching out to similar offices at Universities across the country to determine best practices and possible solutions to common challenges

In addition to providing assistance and customer services as needed for specific programs and initiatives, for the 2012-2013 academic year, we are focusing on the following issues:

• Harvard Travel Assist
• Global Support Services website
• International employment classifications