If you are studying in the States and are overwhelmed with the madness that is New York City, you should join the other 250k college students and check out Boston for a weekend.
Fun things to do in Boston without breaking the bank ...
Freedom Trail
A free way to get a quick history lesson on the American Revolution is to take the 2.5 mile-long Freedom Trail. As you follow the red-striped cobblestones on the sidewalks of Boston you will see 16 different historic sites ranging from old meetinghouses and churches to the first burial grounds in the city. Some specific stops include Paul Revere's house, the site of the Boston Massacre, and the Old South Meeting House.
The great thing about the Freedom Trail is that you can either do it on your own and follow it using a map or take a guided tour led by tour guides dressed 18th-century costumes. Here is a daily schedule of public walking tours. You can also purchase discounted online tour tickets here.Ticket prices are $12 for adults, $10 for Seniors and $6.50 for children between the ages of 6-12.
Faneuil Hall
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Another Boston staple on the edge of the waterfront and next to Government Center is Faneuil Hall Marketplace. Faneuil Hall Marketplace has been around since 1742 when it was named "The cradle of Liberty" by the founding fathers, according to the Faneuil Hall website. There is a ton to do, eat and see at Fanuiel Hall. From the street performers and musicians playing on the cobblestones outside, to over 70 retail shops between the hall and the North and South markets, and dozens of options of cuisine in Quincy Market, Faneuil Hall is the place where tourist and residents alike gather to enjoy the best of Boston.
Boston Common
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If you want to visit the oldest public park in the United States you have to check out the Boston Common in downtown Boston. Here you will be able to see a handful of historical monuments, skate on the Frog Pond and hang out on the grass and enjoy the views of Beacon Hill and the Public Garden. Back in 1634 when the Common was created, it was used for pasture and military gatherings. Ice skating on the Frog Pond will cost you $6 to get in and $12 to rent skates.
Boston Public Garden
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Connected to the Boston Common is the Public Garden. The Public Garden is a part of the Emerald Necklace, a series of parks connected throughout the city. The Public Garden was created in 1837 and is America's first botanical garden. Here you can walk around the central lagoon, feed the squirrels, take a swan boat ride and hang out on the bridge all while admiring the colorful plants and Victorian touches. I personally like to hang out here with a group of friends in the spring time or study for my finals once all the snow finally melts. The swan boats are open from April to September and cost $3.50. They were created and have been run by the Paget family for over 100 years.
The Esplanade
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Another part of Boston's Emerald Necklace and one of my favorite spots in all of Boston is the Esplanade. It is most famously known to host the Boston Pops Fourth of July Fireworks but is also a calling ground for runners and relaxers to watch the sunset over the Charles River as Harvard rowing team pass by. There are also free concerts and events held at the Hatch Shell on the Esplanade during the summer.
On the edge of the Charles River (on the Boston, not Cambridge side), the Esplanade stretches from the Museum of Science to the Boston University Bridge (approx. 6 miles). A fun thing to do here while you are visiting is to pack a picnic, bring a speaker to hook up your favorite playlist, and watch the sunset with your fellow travelers. Not a lot of tourists come to this area because it is hidden. But enjoy the view like a true Bostonian.
Newbury Street
A last must-see part of Boston is Newbury Street in the Back
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Bay neighborhood. Along the eight blocks of 19th-century brownstones are hundreds of boutiques, restaurants and cafes. Stores range from high-end retail shops to more bohemian boutiques. Newbury Street is a place to window shop. If you are a broke college student like me, grab a cupcake from Georgetown Cupcakes, a D.C. based bakery. Newbury Street definitely won't disappoint if you love to shop but might put a dent in your wallet.
Like any trip, if you plan ahead flying into Logan International Airport will be your quickest bet. It can get pricey if you are on tight budget and plan last minute. However, deals on flights have been exceptionally low lately so make sure look at all your options.
For example, a round-trip flight from JFK Airport in New York to Logan International in Boston after the holidays will run you about $90 to $100. If you are flying out of the D.C. area, it will cost you between $140 and $160.
Amtrak It
If you are studying on the East Coast, I suggest taking an Amtrak train right into South Station in Boston. Amtrak offers discounts for students and has pretty reasonable prices if you book ahead. If you don't book ahead, it can get very pricey.
If you were planning to visit Boston over spring break in March, a roundtrip ticket from Washington would cost around $160. If you decided Monday that you wanted to go this weekend, it would cost upwards of $250. My advice is if you know you want to go to Boston and are a fan of traveling by train, book at least two to three months in advance to be most cost efficient. Amtrak allows you to modify your trip just in case something comes up during your travel dates.
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By taking the train you also get a great view of the coast on the North East Regional line. From the bright NYC skyline to the boats on the dock in New London, Connecticut, you will get a glimpse of the Northeast while sitting back and relaxing -- most likely avoiding homework like I always do.
Bus
The cheapest overall is taking a bus. MegaBus, Greyhound or Bolt bus are three popular companies. Greyhound from NYC to Boston for a weekend after the holidays runs about $56 roundtrip while MegaBus is about $26. But fair warning: Traffic getting into the city can be atrocious at rush hour in the morning and after work. Driving through Connecticut at any time can be frustrating, so prepare for some added time and bring a book or homework to complete because most buses have free wifi.
Hitch a ride with a friend
Another option is hitching a ride with a friend from school who lives near Boston when they go home for breaks.
Jana Goyvaerts and Charlotte Bonami, international students from Belgium who are enrolled in an academic internship program in D.C., went home with a co-worker for Thanksgiving break. Goyvaerts and Bonami not only enjoyed their first traditional American Thanksgiving meal but were also able to see what another smaller city in the U.S. has to offer. This was for free as a co-worker's dad drove them back and forth.
Charlotte Bonami [right] and Sydney Larose [left] stand in Boston's Public Garden over Thanksgiving Break. Photo courtesy of Charlotte Bonami.
There are many ways to get to this historic hub. My advice is plan ahead and use all your resources.
If you don't have that kind of cash check out the options on Airbnb for the Boston area. Prices depend on what kind of room you are looking for. A private room ranges from $35 to $90.
If you can, try and stay with friends or extended family members. Reach out and ask. This will not only give you a familiar face and personal tour guide, but will cut back on costs for a bed to sleep in and give you more money to spend on seeing and experiencing Boston.
Wondering how to get around in Boston?
Get a Charlie Card. This is a refillable card used to pay for the subway system, which Bostonians call the "T. " Boston's subway system is the first and oldest underground subway rail in the United States that opened September 1, 1897. The T definitely reflects the age of the city, so be patient, my travelers!
This is a breakdown of Boston's subway and bus system.
Do you have a favorite tourist attraction in Boston you want to recommend to others? Want to know other places to travel? Please leave your comments here and on our Facebook page, thanks!
Competition grows for international students eyeing Yale
FILE - The Yale University campus is in New Haven, Connecticut, on Dec. 4, 2023.
It’s tough to gain admission to Yale University, and it’s getting even tougher for international students as standout students from around the world set their sights on Yale.
The Yale Dale News, the campus newspaper, takes a look at the situation here.
Student from Ethiopia says Whitman College culture made it easy to settle in
FILE - This May 18, 2021, photo shows a woman typing on a laptop in New Jersey.
Ruth Chane, a computer science major from Ethiopia, writes about her experiences settling into student life at Whitman College in the U.S. state of Washington.
"The community at Whitman College made sure I felt welcomed even before I stepped foot on campus," she says.
Claremont Colleges student gets a shock when she heads home to Shanghai
FILE - In this Feb. 2, 2012, photo, students walk through the campus of Claremont McKenna College in Claremont, Calif.
In The Student Life, the student newspaper for the Claremont Colleges, a consortium of five liberal art colleges and two graduate schools in Claremont, California, student Rochelle Lu writes about readjusting to her Shanghai home after spending a semester in the United States.
Cedarville University aims to ease transition for international students
FILE - A recent graduate wears a garment with their graduation year April 25, 2024, in Los Angeles.
Cedarville University in the U.S. state of Ohio says it’s got more than 140 international students representing 44 countries.
Here, the school interviews Jonathan Sutton, director of international student services. He talks about his job and the opportunities for international students on campus.
Morehouse College offers prospective students tips on applying and thriving
FILE - People enter the campus of Morehouse College, a historically black school, in Atlanta, Georgia, April 12, 2019.
Morehouse College, a private, historically Black liberal arts college in the U.S. state of Georgia, offers a guide for international students interested in attending the school.
Among the tips to apply and thrive at Morehouse:
Take advantage of the school’s orientation program
Turn to the school’s Center for Academic Success for tutoring, support and more
Immerse yourself in campus life via clubs and societies
US reviews Columbia University contracts, grants over antisemitism allegations
FILE - A demonstrator waves a flag on the Columbia University campus at a pro-Palestinian protest encampment, in New York, April 29, 2024.
WASHINGTON —
The administration of President Donald Trump said on Monday it will review Columbia University's federal contracts and grants over allegations of antisemitism, which it says the educational institution has shown inaction in tackling.
Rights advocates note rising antisemitism, Islamophobia and anti-Arab bias since U.S. ally Israel's devastating military assault on Gaza began after Palestinian Hamas militants' deadly October 2023 attack.
The Justice Department said a month ago it formed a task force to fight antisemitism. The U.S. Departments of Health and Education and the General Services Administration jointly made the review announcement on Monday.
"The Federal Government's Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism is considering Stop Work Orders for $51.4 million in contracts between Columbia University and the Federal Government," the joint statement said.
The agencies said no contracting actions had been taken yet.
"The task force will also conduct a comprehensive review of the more than $5 billion in federal grant commitments to Columbia University."
The agencies did not respond to requests for comment on whether there were similar reviews over allegations of Islamophobia and anti-Arab bias.
Columbia had no immediate comment. It previously said it made efforts to tackle antisemitism.
College protests
Trump has signed an executive order to combat antisemitism and pledged to deport non-citizen college students and others who took part in pro-Palestinian protests.
Columbia was at the center of college protests in which demonstrators demanded an end to U.S. support for Israel due to the humanitarian crisis caused by Israel's assault on Gaza. There were allegations of antisemitism and Islamophobia in protests and counter-protests.
During last summer's demonstrations around the country, classes were canceled, some university administrators resigned and student protesters were suspended and arrested.
While the intensity of protests has decreased in recent months, there were some demonstrations last week in New York after the expulsion of two students at Columbia University-affiliated Barnard College and after New York Governor Kathy Hochul ordered the removal of a Palestinian studies job listing at Hunter College.
A third student at Barnard College has since been expelled, this one related to the occupation of the Hamilton Hall building at Columbia last year.
From Europe to North America, nations are tightening their immigration policies. Now Canada, long seen as one of the world's most welcoming nations, has introduced sweeping changes affecting international students. The reforms highlight a growing global trend toward more restrictive immigration policies. Arzouma Kompaore reports from Calgary.
Trump administration opens antisemitism inquiries at 5 colleges, including Columbia and Berkeley
FILE - Students walk past Sather Gate on the University of California at Berkeley campus in Berkeley, Calif., May 10, 2018.
The Trump administration is opening new investigations into allegations of antisemitism at five U.S. universities including Columbia and the University of California, Berkeley, the Education Department announced Monday.
It's part of President Donald Trump's promise to take a tougher stance against campus antisemitism and deal out harsher penalties than the Biden administration, which settled a flurry of cases with universities in its final weeks. It comes the same day the Justice Department announced a new task force to root out antisemitism on college campuses.
In an order signed last week, Trump called for aggressive action to fight anti-Jewish bias on campuses, including the deportation of foreign students who have participated in pro-Palestinian protests.
Along with Columbia and Berkeley, the department is now investigating the University of Minnesota, Northwestern University and Portland State University. The cases were opened using the department's power to launch its own civil rights reviews, unlike the majority of investigations, which stem from complaints.
Messages seeking comment were left with all five universities.
A statement from the Education Department criticized colleges for tolerating antisemitism after Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel and a wave of pro-Palestinian protests that followed. It also criticized the Biden administration for negotiating "toothless" resolutions that failed to hold schools accountable.
"Today, the Department is putting universities, colleges, and K-12 schools on notice: this administration will not tolerate continued institutional indifference to the wellbeing of Jewish students on American campuses," said Craig Trainor, the agency's acting assistant secretary for civil rights.
The department didn't provide details about the inquiries or how it decided which schools are being targeted. Presidents of Columbia and Northwestern were among those called to testify on Capitol Hill last year as Republicans sought accountability for allegations of antisemitism. The hearings contributed to the resignation of multiple university presidents, including Columbia's Minouche Shafik.
An October report from House Republicans accused Columbia of failing to punish pro-Palestinian students who took over a campus building, and it called Northwestern's negotiations with student protesters a "stunning capitulation."
House Republicans applauded the new investigations. Representative Tim Walberg, chair of the Education and Workforce Committee, said he was "glad that we finally have an administration who is taking action to protect Jewish students."
Trump's order also calls for a full review of antisemitism complaints filed with the Education Department since Oct. 7, 2023, including pending and resolved cases from the Biden administration. It encourages the Justice Department to take action to enforce civil rights laws.
Last week's order drew backlash from civil rights groups who said it violated First Amendment rights that protect political speech.
The new task force announced Monday includes the Justice and Education departments along with Health and Human Services.
"The Department takes seriously our responsibility to eradicate this hatred wherever it is found," said Leo Terrell, assistant attorney general for civil rights. "The Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism is the first step in giving life to President Trump's renewed commitment to ending anti-Semitism in our schools."
Work opportunities help draw international students to US schools
FILE - Students cross the campus of Dartmouth College, March 5, 2024, in Hanover, NH.
US News & World Report details the three top factors in foreign students' decision to study in the U.S. They include research opportunities and the reputation of U.S. degrees. Read the full story here. (December 2024)
British student talks about her culture shock in Ohio
FILE - Spectators look at the solar eclipse through protective eyewear on the football field at Bowling Green State University on April 8, 2023, in Bowling Green, Ohio.
A British student who did a year abroad at Bowling Green State University in Ohio talks about adjusting to life in America in a TikTok video, Newsweek magazine reports.
Among the biggest surprises? Portion sizes, jaywalking laws and dorm room beds.
China unveils plan to build 'strong education nation' by 2035
FILE - Students line up for their first day of China's national college entrance examinations, known as the gaokao, in Beijing, June 7, 2023.
BEIJING —
China issued its first national action plan to build a "strong education nation" by 2035, which it said would help coordinate its education development, improve efficiencies in innovation and build a "strong country."
The plan, issued Sunday by the Communist Party's central committee and the State Council, aims to establish a "high quality education system" with accessibility and quality "among the best in the world."
The announcement was made after data on Friday showed China's population fell for a third consecutive year in 2024, with the number of deaths outpacing a slight increase in births, and experts cautioning that the downturn will worsen in the coming years.
High childcare and education costs have been a key factor for many young Chinese opting out of having children, at a time when many face uncertainty over their job prospects amid sluggish economic growth.
"By 2035, an education power will be built," the official Xinhua news agency said, adding that China would explore gradually expanding the scope of free education, increase "high-quality" undergraduate enrolment, expand postgraduate education, and raise the proportion of doctoral students.
The plan aims to promote "healthy growth and all-round development of students," making sure primary and secondary school students have at least two hours of physical activity daily, to effectively control the myopia, or nearsightedness, and obesity rates.
"Popularizing" mental health education and establishing a national student mental health monitoring and early warning system would also be implemented, it said.
It also aims to narrow the gap between urban and rural areas to improve the operating conditions of small-scale rural schools and improve the care system for children with disabilities and those belonging to agricultural migrant populations.
The plan also aims to steadily increase the supply of kindergarten places and the accessibility of preschool education.
A look at financial aid options for international graduate students in US
FILE - People walk between buildings, Dec. 17, 2024, on the campus of Harvard University in Cambridge, Mass.
The Open Notebook, a site focusing on educating journalists who cover science, has complied a list of U.S. graduate program financial aid information for international students.
![Charlotte Bonami [right] and Sydney Larose [left] stand in Boston's Public Garden over Thanksgiving Break. Photo courtesy of Charlotte Bonami.](https://gdb.voanews.com/4CE6C5A9-F3F1-4CE5-A7C7-EF8803E1045F_w250_r0_s.jpg)
