Posts Tagged ‘Boston’

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Rediscover Yourself and Your Town

Wednesday, November 5th, 2025

We are always waiting. Waiting for an event that takes place next week, month, year. Waiting for a trip or to graduate, and to graduate again. Waiting to hear back from a job or waiting for a horrible shift to just be over.

Even as children we wait for adulthood eagerly, no matter how many adults tell you not to grow up too fast. You can’t stop the daydreaming child from missing out on their present, but you, present you, can enjoy the current moment as an adult. 

We have to stop waiting. This is a lesson I’ve learned, surprisingly, from living at home. As a commuter it can feel like you are missing out on college. Instead of trying to make the experience fun, I found myself waiting for post grad to feel independent. I truly thought I had to wait until I had an apartment or a home to have fun, but really what is stopping me from having fun right now? 

So my perspective shifted and I forced myself to go out more. Sometimes by myself to cafes and parks, other times to bars with friends. I try to make the most of being at home, hosting slumber parties just like when I was a kid. I see my family members everyday and have movie nights with my mom. These moments I will miss one day, so I am enjoying them to the fullest.

One day a couple years from right now, you are going to be reminiscing on where you are right now. I think about this a lot. It doesn’t always have to be the rapid go, go, go. This mindset really pushes me to enjoy where I am at presently, even when that feels hard to do. 

Go to your local lakes and ponds. Go see the museums nearby. Rediscovering your town will truly feel like rediscovering yourself. Where you are right now is your present, so enjoy it to the fullest. Decorate your room, even if it is your childhood bedroom. Make art and do hobbies you love. There is truly no time like the present, why waste it waiting? 

Even though I have lived in one area my entire life there is still so much of it I haven’t seen. I have made it my goal to become an actual local. I want to be able to give recommendations to people that I didn’t just look up on Google or Tiktok. The only way to have real recommendations is to experience it yourself. 

Commuting can feel stagnant, but it is a time for growth and solidifying real connections. I lived on campus, and I have discovered some friendships are just a form of object permanence. If you aren’t right in front of some people, you don’t exist. It is something I have had to learn. While it isn’t easy to let go of friendships I have made old friendships stronger and new friends. We have to put in effort to see each other, and we do so. I am confident that the friends I have now I will have long after college, and this is quite a relief. 

I am enjoying the present, and I enjoy the struggles of college and commuting. One day I am confident that I will feel nostalgic for it-just as I feel nostalgic for all of my past eras. 

By Isabel DeSisto

Isabel DeSisto is a senior majoring in Writing, Literature, and Publishing at Emerson College. She is an avid traveler and is always looking to go on a trip. While adventurous, there is nothing she enjoys more than hanging out with her dogs and reading a book.

For over 25 years, the Campus Clipper has helped college students in New York City—and later in Boston and Philadelphia—save money and succeed in city life. We offer a digital coupon booklet with discounts on food, clothing, and services, plus an Official Student Guidebook with real advice on how to navigate college life in a big city. Our internship program lets students build skills, earn money, and publish their own e-books. Follow us on Instagram and TikTok @CampusClipper, and sign up for our newsletter to get deals straight to your inbox. To access the digital coupons, scan the QR code on our printed card—available in dorms, student centers, and around campus.

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You can’t commute from across the world

Wednesday, October 22nd, 2025
Lugano, Switzerland

If I had to give one piece of advice to students entering college, commuting or not, it would be to study abroad. 

I give this advice with adequate experience as I have studied abroad twice. During my sophomore year (Fall 2023) I spent a semester in the Netherlands. Emerson College has a unique program called Kastell Well. In this program you live in a castle in a rural part of the country close to Germany. The medieval castle was beautiful and the surrounding village was full of kind people and many small farms. We travelled practically every weekend to different European cities, so coming back to the peaceful Dutch countryside was a respite. 

Kasteel Well. The Netherlands campus of Emerson College

I loved being abroad so much, but the castle was Emerson’s main program. There are many other shorter ones but I wanted to get more credits out of the trip. Luckily we have an expansive abroad department. Through some quick research I discovered Emerson was involved in exchange programs with different schools. I applied for two, one in Spain and one in Switzerland. Ultimately I decided to only continue with my Switzerland application and a few months into my junior year I discovered I was chosen to participate in the exchange program. In the second half of my junior year (Spring 2025) I went to Europe again, this time staying in Lugano, Switzerland. Lugano is named after the large lake the city resides on, Lake Lugano. It is beautiful and surrounded by mountains. The everyday view I had walking to classes was unreal. Switzerland has three different national languages, German, French, and Italian, these are based on what part of Switzerland you reside in. My temporary school, Franklin University, was in the Italian region. Lugano was extremely close to Italy, and we found ourselves going often. 

Being abroad was the best experience of my life. I travelled all of the time; by the end of my two semesters I had visited 14 European countries, some more than once. I had been to museums that I learned about as a child and saw artifacts from history books. I saw the paintings and actual brush strokes on the canvas of Van Gogh and Rembrandt.  

I made friends from all over the world. I hiked a mountain by myself and ate pasta in Italy and pierogies in Poland. Basically, it was an unreal experience that I couldn’t have gotten any other way. 

Both of the times I was abroad there was academic travel. We would go with professors to see what we were learning about. At Emerson we went to Amsterdam and Prague. At Franklin I went to Sicily for my organized crime class– it was a highlight of my trip. Being able to see firsthand the monuments and documents you learned about, even if they are in a different language, is so unbelievably amazing. 

In general getting an international education shifts your perspective. You learn different teaching styles and focus on different aspects of the material. 

While the classroom is so important abroad, it is the life lessons that you learn. Especially when commuting. Commuting makes it hard to become an individual. Yes you are an adult now, but you are an adult that still goes to school and lives at home. Sometimes it is hard to separate that from highschool. Being in a country on your own is the highest level of independence. You aren’t even in the same time zone as your family! 

Studying abroad is transformative. You have to learn how to navigate buses, trains, airports, most of which are in different languages. You have to learn how to communicate and adapt to different social norms. By studying abroad you gain crucial life skills that you can’t learn without experiencing it.  

As a commuter going to a different country may seem like a giant step, and it is. But it is worth it. I was nervous both times I left to go abroad, and despite how badly I wanted to, I cried, both times. Once I was on the plane though, it was just a matter of time until I would be back home, so I was determined to make the most of it. 

Once you get there it is like freshman year moving into the dorms again. Everyone is trying to find friends. As a commuter you may not have experienced the chaos of the first week of freshman year, but you find your friends fast from it. Everyone is in the same boat. 

If you have ever wanted to see what the dorm life was like, study abroad. It is easier to justify than a dorm that is drivable distance from your home. Sometimes, at least in my case, it costs less than living on campus. It is also much better than housing because you are in a different country. 

Different schools have different housing abroad, but either way you will be living more independently. 

Most schools have extensive abroad lists and there are many scholarships! It may seem impossible, but truly it is so doable. Going abroad cost just as much, possibly cheaper, than when I lived on campus. 

I believe it is the perfect way to get out there and explore the world and yourself. Everyone is in the same boat as you, so trust me you will find your crowd. 

By Isabel DeSisto

Isabel DeSisto is a senior majoring in Writing, Literature, and Publishing at Emerson College. She is an avid traveler and is always looking to go on a trip. While adventurous, there is nothing she enjoys more than hanging out with her dogs and reading a book.

For over 25 years, the Campus Clipper has helped college students in New York City—and later in Boston and Philadelphia—save money and succeed in city life. We offer a digital coupon booklet with discounts on food, clothing, and services, plus an Official Student Guidebook with real advice on how to navigate college life in a big city. Our internship program lets students build skills, earn money, and publish their own e-books. Follow us on Instagram and TikTok @CampusClipper, and sign up for our newsletter to get deals straight to your inbox. To access the digital coupons, scan the QR code on our printed card—available in dorms, student centers, and around campus.

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Romanticize your life, your commute, everything

Thursday, October 16th, 2025

Many social media trends are more than fleeting. Only a few trends have stuck with me, most are purely nostalgic. However one trend portraying people romanticizing their lives has always stuck with me-especially when I started commuting. 

In short, romanticizing your life means taking notice of simple tasks and moments. Making everything mean something. For a while this was a big trend online, one I found myself searching for. 

I found myself captivated by videos showing normal actions. Filling fridges and laundry supplies-for example. I loved watching people light candles and clean. All of these actions I could and should have done myself. It wasn’t just the actual actions these influencers were partaking in, it was how they presented them. Everything was aesthetic and sounded nice too. 

When influencers showed themselves drinking coffee in cute pyjamas looking out a window I realized in some way I can attain that. Of course social media is only a snippet of life, but it looked genuinely peaceful. I found when I wore pyjama sets (although I never do) and sip some tea outside I felt balanced and calm. 

The idea of romanticizing everything in life may seem problematic. Perhaps some may argue people are choosing to live in delusion rather than face the mundane reality. When I romanticize my life I find I am more productive and feel overall better. 

Of course when I was obsessed with the idea of romanticizing everything I spent a lot of money. In order to romanticize your life it seemed like you needed to spend money on all the cute, aesthetic things. Now this is completely just consumerism, and you do not need to spend anything to romanticize your life. 

You can stand outside with tea or coffee in old pyjamas that don’t go together in any way. Putting more energy into studying and listening to music is all it takes to romanticize life slightly. Instead of just watching a show I light candles. It is all about a wonderful ambiance and the full-fillment you get. That is what makes it so special; you can make it yours completely. 

Sometimes when I try to romanticize life I work on being in the moment. I often catch myself being caught up in the future. What work am I going to have to do when I get home? What am I going to do after I graduate? What are my plans next week? 

Instead of creating mind lists sometimes you just need to watch outside as the train moves. 

Regarding college, the idea of romanticizing everything works well with studying. I love annotations and find myself listening to chill music with a good pen and highlighter. It’s silly, but it almost feels aesthetic. The motivation to finish a book or annotate a paper keeps me doing my work at a reasonable pace. 

I am the worst at keeping a routine, but I am someone who needs one. Without a routine time seems to fly by, and I end up doing nothing. Having a routine, whether it is strict or loose, is a way I have found myself going out and feeling better about my life. 

Set a routine that works for you; it doesn’t have to be anything insanely rigid. Having something simple that you do every day and that you look forward to is something I have found to be valuable. 

Being in the best mindset and as happy as you can be has helped me immensely, and I am sure it will help you too. 

Buy one and get one free with a student ID at Kung Fu Tea

By Isabel DeSisto

Isabel DeSisto is a senior majoring in Writing, Literature, and Publishing at Emerson College. She is an avid traveler and is always looking to go on a trip. While adventurous, there is nothing she enjoys more than hanging out with her dogs and reading a book.

For over 25 years, the Campus Clipper has helped college students in New York City—and later in Boston and Philadelphia—save money and succeed in city life. We offer a digital coupon booklet with discounts on food, clothing, and services, plus an Official Student Guidebook with real advice on how to navigate college life in a big city. Our internship program lets students build skills, earn money, and publish their own e-books. Follow us on Instagram and TikTok @CampusClipper, and sign up for our newsletter to get deals straight to your inbox. To access the digital coupons, scan the QR code on our printed card—available in dorms, student centers, and around campus. 

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The Actual Positives of Commuting

Monday, September 8th, 2025
A picture of my dog because getting to live with your childhood pets is the best perk about commuting.

Saving money is the only positive to commuting that you need, at least that is probably what your parents will argue. But when you are taking out loans to cover your tuition, all money begins to feel fake. Saving thousands, but still paying thousands begins to feel like it’s not worth it. In the long run it is, but while you are still in college it is helpful to look at the current positives. 

Living at home

There are lots of particular benefits you get when you live at home. Some of them are noticeable, others you may take for granted. Whenever I get stressed about commuting I like to remind myself of some of the perks.

Here is a run down of some basic benefits of living at home while in college: 

  • Home cooked meals.
  • Snacks (not just a random assortment of dining hall food that you have collected).
  • A kitchen that isn’t communal with strangers. 
  • No housing restrictions. (Also known as have as many candles as you want.)
  • A full size fridge.
  • Your own bed. (No shade to the twin xl, some of the best naps I have taken were on a twin XL. However there is a whole different type of comfort that your own bed provides.)
  • Your own space.
  • You get to live with your childhood pets.
  • Strangers won’t be able to touch your laundry.
  • You also will not have to wait for a washer to be free because all ten are being used by other students. 
  • No fire alarms going off early in the morning because someone decided to burn mac and cheese.
  • No crowded elevators.

There are of course an abundance more, some are niche and personal, others universal. Sometimes you need to rationalize, even if it seems counter-intuitive. 

Saving money means you can spend a little more on yourself–right? 

Saving money means surely you can spend a little more on yourself. Take this with a grain of salt, while living at home you want to be financially responsible. Save money while you can, of course. If you do think about it you are saving thousands, so if buying that cute tote you have wanted or getting your nails done makes you happy, why not? 

Perhaps it is bad advice, but commuting is hard. I have discovered that when I feel put together and have little things like cute nails, which I couldn’t afford on campus, it allows me to feel the positives of commuting instantly. 

Get into that routine

When you are in college, you get into a routine. This is true whether you live on campus or not. The best thing about commuting is there is less disruption to your routine.

You don’t have to worry about packing your life back up again and again. You have everything in one spot whether it is during the semester or winter break. You can go to the same gym, the same coffee shop, the same library throughout the year. There is value in consistency and familiarity. It is comfortable. 

That being said you can get out of your comfort zone if you so choose. Even though it may not feel like it, being in your childhood home and all, there are places nearby that you may have never experienced. If you have access to a car you have the ability to go where you want when you want. Having a car and being at home doesn’t mean you have to go to the same few places you have been going to for years. 

One thing I’ve learned is you can travel and see areas that have been next door to you your whole life. Explore the trails near you and take little road trips to places close by. It is even more fun bringing your college friends from campus to see your town and state with you. Taking the time to experience your home town before you become a visitor in it, is rewarding and can be sentimentally fun. 

Commuting is hard work, but if you romanticize it enough and prioritize yourself, it can still be a well rounded college experience. 

Show your student ID, bring this coupon, and cash to get 20% off at Best MG Spa

By Isabel DeSisto

Isabel DeSisto is a senior majoring in Writing, Literature, and Publishing at Emerson College. She is an avid traveler and is always looking to go on a trip. While adventurous, there is nothing she enjoys more than hanging out with her dogs and reading a book.

For over 25 years, the Campus Clipper has helped college students in New York City—and later in Boston and Philadelphia—save money and succeed in city life. We offer a digital coupon booklet with discounts on food, clothing, and services, plus an Official Student Guidebook with real advice on how to navigate college life in a big city. Our internship program lets students build skills, earn money, and publish their own e-books. Follow us on Instagram and TikTok @CampusClipper, and sign up for our newsletter to get deals straight to your inbox. To access the digital coupons, scan the QR code on our printed card—available in dorms, student centers, and around campus. 

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The Positives of Commuting (Statistically)

Saturday, August 30th, 2025

Statistically speaking, there is one positive to commuting to college–saving money. This post is going to reinforce your decision to commute, because it is a smart one. While it may sometimes not feel worth it, commuting from home will save you thousands in the long run.  

For this post, I have done some research on local dorm and apartment costs. I will be focusing on Boston. According to the Boston University International Students & Scholars Office  (ISSO) resource page, there are an estimated 250,000 students in Boston. Despite being home to many students, the prices are far from college kid friendly. 

Dorm Costs

Many college students reside on campus in the school affiliated housing. Dorms are usually small rooms where students live with roommates. Despite living communally and sharing facilities, the prices tend to be astronomically high.

I have elected to look into four Boston colleges and universities housing costs. While it is only a small percentage of the colleges in Boston, I believe it will be representative of most housing costs, as between the four there is only a slight discrepancy. 

The four colleges I looked into are:

  • Emerson College
  • Boston University
  • Suffolk University
  • Simmons University

The colleges/universities are all located in different areas of Boston. I pinned each location on the map to depict their distance.

Emerson College

My college is located near Downtown Boston, Chinatown, and the theater district. Located right in front of the Boston Commons, the school is in the heart of Boston. Housing is expensive; the college website provides an estimate of $21,652 for a year of housing for a standard double. This estimate includes housing and a meal plan. 

I lived in the dorms my freshman year. Emerson College guarantees housing and ‘requires’ all students to live on campus for three years. If you decide to commute or live off campus you must fill out a form relinquishing your right to guaranteed housing. 

My freshman year I lived in Little Building, the freshman only dorm. I was extremely lucky with my housing assignment as I was given a suite. It was equipped with a bathroom and the rooms were large. However, most people are not lucky and are placed in small rooms without bathrooms.

Little Building is particularly unique as there are lightwell dorms. These dorms are small and have one window that does not go directly outside. The architecture of the building creates a column where dorms face other dorms. Natural lighting is sparse in these dorms only coming from the open gap above. If the window blinds are left open other people can see into your room. It is definitely not worth the high cost for people stuck in lightwell dorms. 

Well I have no experience with the dorm conditions in surrounding Boston colleges, I will be listing their prices for reference. 

Suffolk University

This university is the most expensive on this short list of colleges, with the official Suffolk website estimating room and board to cost students $22,782. This is the price for a standard double, without a kitchen, and the required plan C meal plan. 

Boston University

Boston University has many different types of housing. However to live in a standard dorm (either a double, triple, or quad) it costs $19,970 according to their housing cost breakdown. 

Simmons University

Simmons University provides a breakdown of estimated student costs on their website. To live on campus it costs an estimated $18,146.


A chart created by Simmons University breaking down the estimated costs of attending university 
Highlighted are the room/board costs

Again, this chart emphasizes the amount that commuters save by living at home. While the off campus and at home numbers vary from student to student, the at home is drastically different. 

Apartment Living

Dorming is not the only option for college students. Many colleges don’t guarantee housing for all four years, therefore most people need to live off campus at some point.

Apartments in the city are small and costly. According to Apartments.com Boston is 115% more expensive than the rest of the country’s rent. Apartments range in cost, so sometimes you can get lucky. But even if you win the Boston lottery and find an apartment with a few roommates that will cost you $1,000, you still will be spending $12,000 for a one year lease. This doesn’t include utilities.

I decided to do a quick search on apartments. Using Apartments.com I found a few options. First I decided to use Emerson College as a marker. For anything remotely close to campus you will be paying at least $2,000, if you plan on living by yourself. I found one apartment slightly farther away, but still walkable, with a roommate the rent would be a reasonable $1,500. This apartment only includes a water utility. 

Across the many apartments I searched the average rent seems to be around $1,500. Therefore you will be likely spending an estimated $18,000 to $24,000 yearly for a small apartment that might not include utilities. 

The farther out of the city you go, prices get more reasonable. However, from my own experience looking into apartment living over the past few years, Massachusetts is expensive, even outside of Boston. Not only will you still be spending a decent amount of money, but the farther you go from campus, even in places where you can take the MBTA, you will have to factor this commute into your schedule. 

Living at Home

Living from home and commuting to school undeniably saves you money. According to the Simmons University estimated costs it will save approximately anywhere from $11,000 to $15,000 dollars. If you do it for multiple years, that adds up to a lot of money, quick. 

College is already so  expensive. Tuition prices require most students to take out loans, putting themselves into debt. If students can save any money in the four years of undergrad, logically they should. 

Looking to furnish your apartment? Show this coupon at Basic Boston to get 10% off.

By Isabel DeSisto

Isabel DeSisto is a senior majoring in Writing, Literature, and Publishing at Emerson College. She is an avid traveler and is always looking to go on a trip. While adventurous, there is nothing she enjoys more than hanging out with her dogs and reading a book.

For over 25 years, the Campus Clipper has helped college students in New York City—and later in Boston and Philadelphia—save money and succeed in city life. We offer a digital coupon booklet with discounts on food, clothing, and services, plus an Official Student Guidebook with real advice on how to navigate college life in a big city. Our internship program lets students build skills, earn money, and publish their own e-books. Follow us on Instagram and TikTok @CampusClipper, and sign up for our newsletter to get deals straight to your inbox. To access the digital coupons, scan the QR code on our printed card—available in dorms, student centers, and around campus. 

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Car, Train, MBTA–My Never Ending Commute to College

Friday, August 22nd, 2025

By Isabel DeSisto

Boston Skyline by the water
The beautiful Boston waterfront

My commute to college feels as though I am making an attempt to collect every form of transportation. To attend class I must travel in a car, then a train, and then finally the subway. If it were practical to travel by plane and boat, then I would really have a collection to boast about. 

My schedule is built around this transportation. A factor many people forget to consider when commuting into the city is that if you aren’t going by car you are going on someone else’s time. In order to commute you must be aware of the transportation schedules so that a proper class schedule can be built. 

I have never been a morning person, so I pretend 8 a.m. classes do not exist. Instead my first class starts bright and early at 10 a.m.. Unfortunately I can no longer roll out of bed in my pjs and run to class ten minutes before it starts. Now I have to wake up early to make the train that will get me to campus on time. 

My commute to campus takes an hour total. However, because the commuter rail, a train that spans a farther distance from Boston than the subway, has a strict schedule, I end up having to wake up three hours before class. 

So at 7 a.m. I wake up and get ready. I have to make sure all of my essentials are in my bag–I can’t run back home to grab homework or lip gloss. Once I’m ready I sit in my car for a minute letting it either cool down or warm up, depending on the state of the unpredictable New England weather. This has become a ritual that allows me to wake up and be in my own space for a few minutes before I am surrounded by many others for the rest of the day. 

Luckily I have two trains I can get on, an earlier one at 8:13 or a later one 30 minutes later, so there is some room for delays, but not too much. If I miss the later one, I will definitely miss a class, which will impact my grade quickly. Normally to air on the side of precaution, I chose the earlier one. The commuter rail is predictable, but the MBTA (Boston’s subway also known as the T) is much less so. I prefer to be prepared. 

I drive my car down the road to the train station. The radio plays some random song quietly. The ride is much too short to hook up my Bluetooth, so I never bother. I pull in and try to find a parking space in the packed lot. 

I pay for parking–most of the time. If I forget I can count on a nice bill making its way in the mail. I walk towards the platform checking my bag one last time; leaving something in my car feels worse than leaving it at home. 

Once on the train I show my digital ticket and try not to fall asleep. The internet is always comically bad, so I either read or listen to some downloaded music. Sometimes, if I was too busy the night before, I do homework. The ride goes by fast, normally. I know the stops well and the conductors are all familiar faces at this point. 

Once we get to North Station everyone exits. People throw away their coffee cups, others go to stand in the Dunkin line that is only growing. Some exit the building, but many people, including myself, walk straight to the underground trains. 

In Boston the T are categorised by color. There is the red, orange, blue, and green line. I can take either the orange or green, the flexibility comes in handy as frequently one or the other is down. Depending on which is running and which is sooner, I get on, standing as they are often packed. I hold my bag as close to myself as I can to try to make space. I disassociate as people talk or yell. 

Eventually we get to my stop and I exit quickly. The subways are stuffy and humid and I need the outside air. I leave and walk towards campus, which is only a short walk. 

Now that I still have an hour before class starts I walk through the Boston common (a beautiful park right across from my campus) when the weather permits. If it is cold I go to the classroom early, turn the lights on, and wait for others to appear. 

The journey to campus isn’t horrible, but it is hard to balance classes around the trains, and it gets costly. Round trip, the journey costs about twenty five dollars. The semester pass is over a thousand dollars. 

Luckily my college only allows us four classes per semester, so I stack them. The first semester I did all four on one day forcing me to be on campus from 9 a.m. to 7:45 p.m. two days a week. The days I was in class were long and exhausting. The days that I had off I spent catching up on all my homework and readings. It was difficult to balance work, school, and a social life, so it was a schedule that I would never recommend. 

The second semester I commuted I took three classes in person and one online. This balance was much better, and I was able to do all the classes back to back. This upcoming semester I have enough credits to take just three classes. Therefore I only have to commute two days a week. Even so, travelling is still exhausting and time consuming. 

There are many benefits of taking this journey, even if it is difficult. This blog is going to cover the positives, the negatives, and my tips as a seasoned commuter.

Bring this coupon and a student ID to Balance Patch and when you buy one hour you will get one free!

By Isabel DeSisto

Isabel DeSisto is a senior majoring in Writing, Literature, and Publishing at Emerson College. She is an avid traveler and is always looking to go on a trip. While adventurous, there is nothing she enjoys more than hanging out with her dogs and reading a book.

For over 25 years, the Campus Clipper has helped college students in New York City—and later in Boston and Philadelphia—save money and succeed in city life. We offer a digital coupon booklet with discounts on food, clothing, and services, plus an Official Student Guidebook with real advice on how to navigate college life in a big city. Our internship program lets students build skills, earn money, and publish their own e-books. Follow us on Instagram and TikTok @CampusClipper, and sign up for our newsletter to get deals straight to your inbox. To access the digital coupons, scan the QR code on our printed card—available in dorms, student centers, and around campus.

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International Students Club: Sports

Friday, October 18th, 2024

Sports have been integral to my upbringing and college experience, and I can’t talk about making community through entertainment without delving into one of my most beloved hobbies. No matter where you come from, everyone has likely watched or played a sport, cheered for a team, or worn team merchandise while growing up. I own a Georgian football (soccer) team jersey, and cheering for them at the UEFA European Championship was one of the highlights of my summer. The other highlight was tuning in to the Summer Olympics. I try to bring my love of sports and being active into more experiences at Emerson to make like-minded friends and be part of a community. 

A picture I took of the opening ceremony of the Georgia vs Turkey game at the European Championship / Dortmund, Germany.

Intramural sports have been the perfect way to expend some energy and have fun with other people. I attend intramural volleyball, and I managed to convince many of my friends to join me on that adventure. I’ve connected with new people I would otherwise never meet and have formed and strengthened bonds. And because volleyball is a team-focused sport, I get to make plays with my teammates to defeat our opponents. Once volleyball ends, I feel accomplished, high on endorphins, and quite hungry.

A picture I took of the Boston Celtics and the Milwaukee Bucks warming up.

Another great way to experience a sense of community through sports is to do the more obvious thing – go and watch games! I’ve gone to Celtics games with friends and family, cheap hockey games, and a baseball game (once was enough for that one, honestly.) I’ve also watched and cheered for our Emerson College basketball and volleyball teams. Emerson hosts fun events such as dodgeball nights and kickball, and they even have foursquare and costume dodgeball later this month. Suppose you’re not a fan of sports involving balls though. In that case, there are also dance clubs, yoga sessions, a hiking club, running clubs around the Boston area, and countless other opportunities to join activity-centered organizations. 

I consider hiking, biking, and rock climbing more leisurely and casual activities but if done competitively, they can also become sports. Partaking in those experiences has also been nothing short of fun, enriching, and exciting through the different kinds of people I meet along the way. 

A picture I took while biking with friends at the Esplanade!

There is a world of value in seeking out sports and team-building activities. At first, I always had doubts – what if I’m the worst player there? What if I absolutely suck and embarrass myself in front of others? What if I get injured? When partaking in sports, there is always a possibility of injury and it’s important to listen to our bodies and take it easy especially if you have prior injuries. However, because opportunities like intramural sports are so low-stakes, there is less of a reason to exert ourselves or take risks to the point of possible injury. Nonetheless, injury can still happen and we shouldn’t forget that.

In terms of embarrassment, that’s just part of it. Sports are fun in part because nobody is perfect at them. Points are scored through mistakes and we can’t grow and improve our skills without failing first. Everything including basketballs, volleyballs, footballs, dodgeballs, and more has hit me in the face, and I think I’ve turned out alright! 

Bring your student ID and enjoy this sweet deal at Kung Fu Tea!

By Natia Kirvalidze 

Natia Kirvalidze studies Writing, Literature, and Publishing at Emerson College. She is a Publishing Intern at Campus Clipper, serves as the Features Editor for Page Turner Magazine, and is the Managing Editor of Green Magazine. She enjoys playing chess, hiking, and making checklists. 

For over 20 years, the Campus Clipper has been offering awesome student discounts in NYC,  from the East Side to Greenwich Village. Along with inspiration, the company offers students a special coupon booklet and the Official Student Guide, which encourages them to discover new places in the city and save money on food, clothing, and services.  At the Campus Clipper, not only do we help our interns learn new skills, make money, and create wonderful e-books, we give them a platform to teach others. Check our website for more student savings and watch our YouTube video showing off some of New York City’s finest students during the Welcome Week of 2015.

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International Students Club: Books

Friday, October 4th, 2024

I simply cannot continue with this International Students Club: Making Community Through Entertainment series without including books. As a serial book lover, it’s imperative to not discredit books as one of the best sources of entertainment. Books are often overlooked when entertainment comes into the conversation because they’re probably the most time-consuming way to have fun. The act of reading, however, and creating or joining communities with other like-minded bibliophiles is a fantastic way to connect with people through a shared hobby. 

The first step to making a community through bookish entertainment is book clubs. The great thing about book clubs is that they are literally everywhere. Check your university’s student organizations and there will likely be a book club of some sort. If there isn’t one that suits your reading tastes, you can always start your own! If you start showing up consistently, bonds will inevitably spark. At Emerson College for example, where I attend as an undergraduate, the main book club is called Emerson Reads, previously known as Emerson Reads YA. They host monthly meetings about the book they picked that month, while also holding all sorts of fun events to relax, talk about books, and make cute bookish items, such as bookmarks. 

In-person book clubs are not the only option, however. Fable is a great app to join or create virtual book clubs. You can even buy the e-books straight from the app, making it a one-stop shop and social media for buying books, tracking them, rating and reviewing, joining clubs, and making posts about anything book-related. I myself have joined book clubs hosted by some of my favorite book content creators on YouTube, and it’s been fun to see everyone’s reactions. Apps like Storygraph and Goodreads are also great tools for tracking your reading and interacting with other users about books.  

Courtesy of Fable / Mashable

I also recommend going out into the physical world and exploring bookstores aside from the typical Barnes & Noble. Going out to independent bookstores is such a fun and exciting way to get to know your community. Go with friends or go alone — it’s a different experience every time. I also suggest being on the lookout for author talks and signing events. Many independent bookstores partner with authors to have them talk about their newly released books. Most of these events are completely free to attend and the authors will usually sign their books too! And as a little caveat, don’t neglect your local libraries. Libraries often also hold talks and author events, writing workshops, and book clubs of their own. 

Brattle Book Shop / Courtesy of Brattle Book Shop / Ziptopia  

The last thing worth knowing about is to watch out for book festivals. The Boston Book Festival is an annual festival being held on Saturday, October 26th this year. According to the Boston Book Festival website, “The Boston Book Festival celebrates the power of words to stimulate, agitate, unite, delight, and inspire by holding year-round events culminating in an annual, free Festival that promotes a culture of reading and ideas and enhances the vibrancy of our city.” The festival is in Copley Square, it’s completely free to attend, and registration is not required. So, show up, browse books, talk to authors and literary agents, and have some fun! If you would like to volunteer at the Boston Book Festival, you can register on their website. 

The Boston Book Festival / Courtesy of Olivia Nadel / Boston Book Festival / GBH

These ideas are just a few ways to create and join communities through shared hobbies such as reading. These tips may be especially helpful for international students because apps like Fable can connect you with other readers from across the world, bookstores can host authors and events that represent different cultures and groups of people, and The Boston Book Festival is known for its inclusion and celebration of all kinds of people. These avenues are truly wonderful if you want to appreciate book culture, but may be apprehensive if there is a space for you. In the book world, there is always space for everyone. 

Use this student discount to get a FREE coffee with any $5 purchase at TaiyakiNYC in Cambridge!

By Natia Kirvalidze 

Natia Kirvalidze studies Writing, Literature, and Publishing at Emerson College. She is a Publishing Intern at Campus Clipper, serves as the Features Editor for Page Turner Magazine, and is the Managing Editor of Green Magazine. She enjoys playing chess, hiking, and making checklists. 

For over 20 years, the Campus Clipper has been offering awesome student discounts in NYC,  from the East Side to Greenwich Village. Along with inspiration, the company offers students a special coupon booklet and the Official Student Guide, which encourages them to discover new places in the city and save money on food, clothing, and services.  At the Campus Clipper, not only do we help our interns learn new skills, make money, and create wonderful e-books, we give them a platform to teach others. Check our website for more student savings and watch our YouTube video showing off some of New York City’s finest students during the Welcome Week of 2015.

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Da Long Yi Hot Pot: A Meal for Everyone

Wednesday, May 1st, 2024

For a fun group gathering, Da Long Yi Hot Pot makes the dinner experience more than just sharing a meal. Located in Lower Allston in an area some call the “Second Chinatown” near Boston University, this hot pot restaurant is easily accessible by bus, train, or car. Nearby on the same street are tons of exciting bubble tea cafes, dessert restaurants, sushi take-out stores, and much more for any hungry student looking for a snack post-hot pot meal (if you still have room in your stomach). The restaurant was clean, and the atmosphere facilitated great conversations with my friends in a quiet setting. There was plenty of space, with almost three separate rooms, a place for smaller groups, or a big dining room for parties over ten.

For people like me who are unsure about the art form of eating hot pot with many different types of dishes, I’m here to tell you the basics. Hot pot is like cooking an array of ingredients like a soup, but your friends are seated around a single pot at a table. Once the ingredients are cooked, you can transfer them to your own smaller bowl, dip them in sauces, or drink them like soup. Hot pot is typically associated with Chinese food, with the broth seasoned with various flavors from soy sauce to sesame oil to Sichuan peppercorns. Add thinly sliced meats, tofu, cabbage, shrimp, noodles, root vegetables, and more. The order of cooking is typically done in batches depending on the cooking time for each ingredient, but it is essential to remember to wait until the broth is boiling before eating. Hot pot is communal, so it is a great meal to share with friends and family, and it is cost-effective, too!

I have only experienced hot pot family style in the comforts of my own home, so I brought three friends along with me who were both eager to try a new hot pot restaurant and fill their rumbling stomachs. Immediately when my friends and I entered the restaurant, we were greeted by friendly and accommodating staff who provided recommendations on the menu and their signature dishes. I was glad they offered suggestions for the meal because there were so many different varieties of meats and meat cuts to choose from. As we were shown to our table in a quiet area, the staff also showed us an assortment of dipping sauces that we could pick and choose from on a table. My favorite side dish, pickled daikon, a root vegetable, was among the choices for side dishes, and I returned to the table for a second serving later in my meal. 

My friends and I settled on the two flavor pots, choosing spicy beef and mushroom as our two broth options. As someone who cannot handle spice, I found it nice that there were multiple options for spice levels on the menu and various meat and vegetarian soup bases. My other friends appreciated spice and beef more, which they eagerly ate with their meal instead. Our meat options included ribeye, pork belly, fish balls, meatballs, and shrimp paste. For our vegetables, we chose an assortment of cabbage, mushrooms, and corn. The restaurant was extremely flexible in our customizations, and there was something on the menu for all my friends. I love this type of meal, as we were able to add more ingredients to our soup base once we finished our first round of ingredient choices. My friends wanted a different style of tofu, pork belly, and another beef plate, which we quickly ordered and came out at a perfect time in our meal. My friend was also craving a smoothie, and the banana smoothie he chose tasted like it used fresh ingredients. 

Eating at Da Long Yi Hot Pot is an experience I’ll never forget. My friends and I had a fantastic time catching up over a warm and flavorful meal. For those experienced in the art of eating hot pot or are beginners like me, this place is welcoming to all with its pleasant atmosphere and easy-to-read yet diverse menu. I feel confident I could take any of my friends there again next time as their menu had gluten-free and vegetarian options, too. The servers were all kind and helpful and offered various traditional and unique dishes for the whole table. If anyone is unsure about their next meal with friends, I highly recommend treating yourself to some hot pot, exciting your taste buds while partaking in an active, engaging meal.

By Lecia Sun

Lecia is a student at Tufts University studying Classics and World Literature. When she is not reading, she can be found attempting the New York Times Games, trying out a new creative hobby, and dreaming about her next great bake. 

For over 20 years, the Campus Clipper has been offering awesome student discounts in NYC,  from the East Side to Greenwich Village. Along with inspiration, the company offers students a special coupon booklet and the Official Student Guide, which encourages them to discover new places in the city and save money on food, clothing, and services.  

At the Campus Clipper, not only do we help our interns learn new skills, make money, and create wonderful e-books, we give them a platform to teach others. Check our website for more student savings and watch our YouTube video showing off some of New York City’s finest students during the Welcome Week of 2015.

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Poké City: Downtown’s Hidden Gem

Wednesday, November 15th, 2023

Despite my close proximity to the Orange Line and easy access to the Downtown area, I don’t get out there much. Best $1,000 loan same day no credit check today. It is really such a great area though, with so many hidden gems and delicious varieties of food to try. I am so happy that I was able to get myself out there the other day to try something new with Poké City!

Poké City is a Hawaiian sushi bowl restaurant just a few minutes walk from Faneuil Hall. It is on Broad Street, which is a sort of quaint, business-centered area of Downtown. The area was super cute and rather quiet, so much so that it didn’t even really feel like Downtown at all. It was a sort of peaceful place, and I really enjoyed exploring this “new” corner of town.  They also have a Cambridge location for my friends across the river!

The logo itself is really cute—I like their tropical vibe, a lot of their menu items center on fruits like pineapple and mango, which makes it a unique kind of cuisine to find in Boston. 

I am ironically not really a fan of sushi, so I brought a friend that actually does like fish who happens to work in the area. She said that her coworkers grab lunch here all of the time, so I was excited to know that it was a really popular place, and she was eager to see what all of the hype was about. 

The inside was really nice and clean, and we sat down in front of the window so we could look out onto the nice city street. We went in the early evening hours, so the sun was just beginning to set, which made our view really beautiful and peaceful. The staff was also really nice—we were having a tough time deciding what to get but they were super patient with us while we figured out what we wanted! 

We both wanted to get signature bowls, but it would have been really easy to make your own customized bowl here. The ingredients are behind the counter, assembly line style, so it is super easy to personalize your order and make it so that it’s perfect just for you. I love this type of restaurant because it gives you the option to create your own, or you can enjoy one of their pre-designed bowls if you aren’t familiar with the type of food. Because I had never had this style of poké, I was happy to have some guidance through their signature dishes!

Teriyaki Bowl

I ended up getting the Teriyaki & Shrimp Bowl, which comes with chicken, shrimp (I ordered without), pineapple salsa, cucumber, sweet corn, seaweed salad, scallion, cilantro, sesame seed, teriyaki sauce, and rice. It was really delicious, and I loved the combination of the tropical pineapple salsa paired with the savory chicken; they went so well together and were so different from what I usually eat. They also added some extra carnitas chicken for us to try, which was SO good! It was nice and soft and full of flavor, I would definitely recommend it. My bowl was delicious, and not too spicy for my Irish palette. 

My friend ordered the Spicy Salmon Bowl, which was too spicy for my Irish palette, but was delicious nonetheless. This bowl came with salmon, mango, edamame, red cabbage, scallion, tobiko, furikake, sriracha aioli, and rice. Despite being a bit too spicy for me, it had really great flavor that even I could appreciate. It was actually surprising how much I liked it considering I do not really like fish or spicy food, so I guess that speaks to how great these flavors work together to create such a unique and delectable dish! I have basically no spice tolerance, but it seemed to be just the right amount of spice for my friend, because she ate the whole thing up!

Spicy Salmon Bowl

Overall, we had a really great time there. The building was clean, the food was delicious, and the atmosphere was very relaxing and tranquil. We lingered there for a while even after we finished eating because we were really enjoying the pleasantness of the area and of the restaurant itself. This is definitely somewhere that I am certainly going to return to, and I definitely recommend bringing a friend to sit and chat with you! 

Thank you so much to Poke City for the delicious food and hospitality. You will definitely be seeing me again soon!

There is truly nothing like eating some good food with your buddies while the sun sets on the city, so bring a friend and your student ID to buy one get one 25% off! 

By Erin O’Brien

Erin is a student based in Boston, MA studying Communications and Studio Art. She is drawn to telling stories about love and friendship, with themes of humanity and connection at its core. In sharing her personal truths, she hopes to provide readers with nuggets of learned wisdom and college survival skills

For over 20 years, the Campus Clipper has been offering awesome student discounts in NYC,  from the East Side to Greenwich Village. Along with inspiration, the company offers students a special coupon booklet and the Official Student Guide, which encourages them to discover new places in the city and save money on food, clothing, and services.  

At the Campus Clipper, not only do we help our interns learn new skills, make money, and create wonderful e-books, we give them a platform to teach others. Check our website for more student savings and watch our YouTube video showing off some of New York City’s finest students during the Welcome Week of 2015.

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