Boston University - Local Atmosphere

College Prowler Take

Boston is a city that is populated by thousands of students, due to the number of universities and colleges (about 60 all together) in the area—something that is also described by most as one of the greatest benefits for BU students. Since there is no reason to be stuck on campus, the best way to have a good experience is to take full advantage of the city.

Due to the overwhelming population of young people in Boston, it is sometimes easy to forget that there are older people and little kids around. Considering this fact, however, the city remains relatively conservative. Everything shuts down at 2 in the morning, mainly due to Puritan liquor license laws. There are even laws preventing the sale of deodorants on Sunday (this is no longer enforced, but remains in existence).

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Students Speak Out

BUSR says: Boston University 2014 Psychology

You live in the city when you go... You live in the city when you go to BU. We're also surrounded by tons of other universities. Our rival BC is a trolley ride away, MIT has frats on our campus, Berklee and Northeastern are also really close by, and Harvard is a 15-minute T ride away. Everyone interacts with everyone, and since BU has strict partying policies, BU tends to party at other universities, so we get to hang out with everyone, and they also tend to come to our school-sponsored events. There's always something going, even though Boston pretty much shuts down at 9 p.m. 12345 Local Atmosphere: March 16, 2009 Report

BURN says: Boston University 2014 Other

The atmosphere of Boston and... The atmosphere of Boston and greater Boston is very historical. The best places to visit are the MFA and the Museum of Science. I also enjoy attending lectures at Boston University and Harvard University. The Peabody Museum at Harvard is also another excellent attraction. The Boston Symphony Opera is nice, but I have only attended once because the operas they are showing do not always interest me. 12345 Local Atmosphere: February 26, 2009 Report

BUND says: Boston University 2014 Social Sciences

Most people are really nice and... Most people are really nice and help you with a door or luggage. Just being in Boston is great—you can walk around and experience nature and people in a busy-ish town. There are a ton of other universities here, and we do occasionally interact at different functions. 12345 Local Atmosphere: February 25, 2009 Report

BUSM says: Boston University 2013 Engineering

Boston is a great walking city,... Boston is a great walking city, and there is a lot of history to see. There are bad areas, just like any city, but it is pretty safe around BU. There are many universities around including BC, Northeastern, Simmons, MCPHS, Harvard, MIT, and many others. A fair amount of students go to other schools for parties and such. 12345 Local Atmosphere: February 24, 2009 Report

BUYH says: Boston University 2014 Business

Boston is a city but I find it to... Boston is a city but I find it to be like a large town. It closes pretty early, and transportation can be an issue at late hours. There is a ton to learn here. You can take in the museums such as the MFA, go to Salem during Halloween, walk the Freedom Trail, and lots more. There are tons of other colleges nearby including our rival, Boston College. 12345 Local Atmosphere: February 20, 2009 Report

Facts

Did You Know?

5 Fun Facts about Boston:
• There are “boat-cars” touring the city at all hours of the day giving Duck Tours. If you make eye contact with the travelers atop this vehicle and shout, “Quack!” They will turn to you and simultaneously reply, “Quack, Quack!”
• A dead body is dragged out of the Charles River way too often. Do not, I repeat, DO NOT, go swimming on an evening of drunken self-exploration. This is a bad idea. I would also avoid contact of said water with both face and other bodily cavities.
• The Boston University Bridge is the only place in the nation where a plane can fly over a car, traveling over a train, going over a boat . . . (or submarine, or Pogo stick, or hovercraft).
• Blue Man Group originated here. Student rush tickets cost only $25 an hour before the show.
• Kurt Vonnegut wrote the majority of his autobiography, Slapstick, set just outside of the Boston Public Gardens, where he grew up.

Famous Bostonians:
Samuel Adams
Aerosmith
Louisa May Alcott
The Cars
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Benjamin Franklin
Winslow Homer
Madeleine Kahn
Jack Lemmon
Leonard Nimoy
Edgar Allan Poe 
Paul Revere
James Taylor
Kurt Vonnegut
Mark Wahlberg (Marky Mark)
Barbara Walters

Local Slang:
Drop your R’s . . . they have no business in this city. For way more than you ever wanted to know about Boston slang, visit the “Wicked Good Guide to Boston English” at: /www.boston-online.com/glossary.html.

Most Recent Contributing Author

Name: Stephanie Santana
Hometown: Queens, NY
Major: Anthropology/Journalism

Garnering inspiration from the most famous chocolatier, Willy Wonka, Stephanie has acquired an affinity for making sweet desserts for her friends whenever she throws a party. She's always on the search for the freshest fruit to add to her latest cake creation.

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