Boston College - Local Atmosphere

College Prowler Take

Boston is a wonderful city with loads of American history on pretty much every corner. It is also chock-full of college-aged people, so the area definitely has that youthful, lively feel that a lot of places do not. Boston is fairly clean and efficient and absolutely bursting with character. Massachusetts is one of those states that actually feels culturally distinct from other states. When you’re there, you’re very aware of talking to Bostonians, eating Boston food, and soaking up what is a distinctly “Boston vibe.”

Boston College is located on the outskirts of the Boston metropolis, which gives BC students a mix of low-key suburbia and thrilling city living. Harvard, Northeastern, and Tufts are all fairly close to BC, as are many other colleges. However, that doesn’t mean you’ll ever actually see or talk to a student at one of these universities, as some BC students tend to find friends only on Chestnut Hill. Other people are out there beyond the gates of Chestnut Hill, but you have to be open to finding them. Try to remember that there are other kinds of people nearby, in case you ever want to expand your horizons or see what life is like beyond the college. Definitely visit Faneuil Hall, the Boston Common, Harvard Square, and the Freedom Trail. One of the worst mistakes you can make is to stay on Chestnut Hill and put off exploring the awesome city that surrounds you. There is so much character to Boston, but you have to be willing to venture out and experience something more than just the few blocks that circle Boston College.

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Students Speak Out

BCcw says: Boston College 2014 Communication and Journalism

Northeastern, BU, Wheelock,... Northeastern, BU, Wheelock, Simmons, Bentley, and Berklee are nearby, just to name a few. In the city, you'll run into plenty of college students like yourself. 12345 Local Atmosphere: February 25, 2009 Report

BCJL says: Boston College 2014 History

Boston is an incredible place.... Boston is an incredible place. There are so many different things to do that anyone can find something. There are 250,000 college kids in the area, so there are plenty of fun college parties and activities to take part in. For anyone who enjoys American culture and history, Boston is the place. The city is steeped in so much history-it's the "Athens of America". The Freedom Trail visits so many historic places within walking distance around Boston. There are also two great art museums—one contemporary and one classical. There are parks all over the city that are beautiful and green. I could go on forever-Boston is the best! 12345 Local Atmosphere: February 20, 2009 Report

BCCC says: Boston College 2014 Business

Boston is a great college town,... Boston is a great college town, and the other universities nearby have similar students. 12345 Local Atmosphere: February 19, 2009 Report

BCBD says: Boston College 2014 Business

Boston is the best city in the... Boston is the best city in the world. There are tons of kids everywhere and always something to do. Don't go to the aquarium, but definitely hit up the Museum of Science and the laser light show. 12345 Local Atmosphere: February 17, 2009 Report

BCAK says: Boston College 2014 Other

There are a ton of schools nearby,... There are a ton of schools nearby, and BC competes in a friendly way with schools like Boston University and Harvard. The best things to do are only a short T ride away, but there is also plenty to do closer to school in places like Coolidge Corner and Cleavland Circle. I love that BC has a campus feel and is in the suburbs, but is close enough to Boston to take advantage of the city. 12345 Local Atmosphere: February 16, 2009 Report

Facts

Did You Know?

5 Fun Facts about Boston:
• Boston boasts the nation’s first subway, built in 1897.
• The John Hancock Building, Boston’s tallest, was designed by IM0 Pei, who also designed the glass entrance at the Louvre.
• The Big Dig is the most expensive highway project in U.S. history, costing more than a billion dollars per mile.
• The Boston Red Sox played in the very first World Series in 1903 and won.
• Boston boasts a quarter of a million students, attending 50 colleges or universities in a fifty square mile area.

Famous Bostonians:
Aerosmith, Henry Adams, Samuel Adams, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Benjamin Franklin, Jack Lemmon, Samuel Morse, Leonard Nimoy, Edgar Allen Poe, Paul Revere, Mark Wahlberg, Barbara Walters

Local Slang:
Pahk your cah in the baack yaad – “Park your car in the backyard”
American chop suey - Macaroni with hamburger, tomato sauce, some onion, and green pepper
B’daydas – “Potatoes”
Barrel – Trash can
Bubbla – A water fountain
Elastics – Rubber bands
Frankfurt – Hot dog
Onna-conna – “On account of”
Potty plattah – “Party platter”

Most Recent Contributing Author

Name: Samantha Durant
Hometown: Cheshire, CT
Major: Communications with Women's Studies minor

Samantha has a black belt in Shaolin Kempo.

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