Boston - the Boston Tea Party in 1773, the Boston Red Sox season in 1918 or the Boston native John F Kennedy's election to congress of Massachusetts in 1947 - there are different associations and memories connected to one of America's oldest cities. My personal association is the primarily reason for me making this trip: University prospecting. Needless to say, my mission did not stop and limit me from exploring as many parts of this versatile city as I physically could during my stay.
I flew over to the states a year before applying to colleges. It was a nerve racking period because you need to make decisions on which schools could shape your academic development, you need to identify where you want to spend the next years of your life studying and refining what you want to do in your future. You need to make decisions, but before that, you have to internalize that it is time to outgrow the bubble of living under your parents' wings, your friends' dependency and your own naivety. This key step to 'adulthood' (even though I think that regardless your age, your are still a child and someone's daughter or son but just with more experience) happened on my 8-hour flight to Boston.
First stop: one of the most re-known Universities in the world – Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
To explain the scope of MIT’s popularity today would just be unnecessary. However, it is useful to know where the roots of the blossoming flower are coming from. On April 10, 1861 – two days before the start of the civil war in the United States – MIT was founded by Mr. William Barton Rogers who was a professor of natural philosophy. His idea of this academic institution was to be a “new polytechnic institute”. Until 1916, it was located on the 'Boston' site of the city but moved to Cambridge since then. Just to clarify, the Boston area is divided into two parts by the Charles river: the Southern part Boston and the Northern part Cambridge. Not sure if it is pure coincidence or some mysterious parallels the fact that two competing, prestigious Universities are located in identically-named cities but on different continents...
What also stood out for me was that MIT hosted the "Mid-Century Convocation" in 1949 which was a symposium dedicated to reflect upon the post-war world and the role of science and technology. Apparently, Winston Churchill was invited to be a guest speaker at this event.
Traveling back to the presence, MIT's mission today is "to make a better world through education, research, and innovation". Not surprisingly, 21 000 students (class 2023) applied to this University to follow its inspiring commitment. To demonstrate you the extent of global competition: only 1427 students got accepted. After moving into their dorms, those 1427 students are able to explore, research and development their fields of interests and make an impact on national and international use of science and technology. Having that advanced research and newest materials by MIT at hand, the fact that some of their study rooms are facing the daydreaming view on the river and the Boston Skyline is juuust a bonus. One has to be careful though not to fall into daydreaming which can be hard to resist (Been there, done that and recommend only after having submitted all assignments).
I would have gathered a different impression of this institute if I had not met friends who were able to show me the University from within. Actually, we Really randomly met in Switzerland and at some point figured out that we have the same destination to reach in the States and then - cut - I am wandering around the hallways of MIT, sneaking into lecture rooms to see how those incredibly smart people listen to the professor and having lunches on campus.
My verdict: all students that I have met beamed genuine willingness to put in the hard work, sleepless nights and work pressure to study at one of the most prestigious Universities in the world. Don't be misguided by the association of someone willing to learn and develop with a 'nerd' spending all time in the library. To certain extent it probably is true because how do you plan to understand advanced math equations, in a pub? Jokes besides, those students, incredibly smart and talented, know how to put in the work to advance academically but they equally know how to have fun afterwards. But this is a whole other story...
Next stop: Harvard tube station, turn right and you are facing the campus I have always wanted to be on: Harvard University Campus.
A bit of a background story on its foundation: in 1635, John Harvard received his Master of Arts at Cambridge University, England (again, coincidence?). One year later, the "Great and General Court of the Governor and Company of the Massachusetts" handed over the approval in the value of £400 for establishing the first ever college in American colonies, "Harvard".
Until 1773, the graduation was rather undemocratic as students were ranked by "the dignity of birth, or to the rank of [their] parents" and not by their academic/extracurricular achievements. That has fortunately changed and in 1780: Harvard got officially recognized as a University.
A side fact that I stumbled across during the research is that over 18 600 people in Massachusetts are directly employed by Harvard, crazy!
You can call me nerd, boring - whatever - but a crucial component for me in my academic journey is the treasury of wisdom: Libraries (with Wifi). Harvard has 28 of them with 20 Million books and do not include their online resources collections! Unfortunately, only Harvard students have access to the 4-floor library which is understandable but disappointing if you really looked forward to walk around and take in the atmosphere.
Especially, if there is a special room devoted to Harry Elkins Widener Collection. Let me inaugurate you. Harry Elkins Widener (1885-1912), was student at Harvard (class 1907) who started creating a serious collection of books, manuscripts, drawings, etc. during his studies. His selection criteria of new acquisition was "no matter how important a book or manuscript may be, I only want those which interest me." With such principle, I believe you can get to know a person and figure out what his values, motivations, fears and interests in life are. After Widener's death on the Titanic, his mother handed over the whole collection of 3300 volumes to the Harvard University and now there are well-stored in the Memorial Rooms of Widener Library.
- Widener Library -
During an excursion through the campus, I got told quite a superstitious story. There is one particular gate on Harvard campus through which you should pass only twice. When you start studying as a fresher you enter the campus through that gate and when you graduate you leave passing through it. Otherwise, it is said that you wouldn't get the degree. That sounded pretty far-fetched.. but I avoided that gate (just in case! ;D ).
To finish off my academics-related trip, let's move a level up and talk about the Harvard Business School. To my knowledge, there are three Schools focused on distinct academic areas for degrees above bachelors like MBA, Executive Education and Doctoral Programmes. There is the Harvard Kennedy School (John F. Kennedy School of Government), the Harvard Graduate School of Education and the Harvard Business School.
I was extremely curious to visit the HBS as it is praised for its Case Study method which was established as "the primary method of instruction" in 1924. Regardless of the title or appraisal it got, it seems to be such an engaging method to study schemes and strategies based on real-life examples in the business world. To confirm my opinion, I actually went to a case study class. As a guest listener, I wasn't allowed to participate even though at times, I actually wanted to speak up and debate some arguments. Nonetheless, the way the class room is shaped, endorsed inclusivity and thinking together meanwhile challenging each other to question arguments and think of alternatives. The time just flew by and having left the building, I made myself some mental notes including the bullet point that for the future, in case I decide to pursue a Master's degree, I will unnegotiably look for this way of teaching.
- Harvard Business School -
Having completed my little mission, of course I wanted to make the most of my time and explore the city as well. I spent one day at the Waterfront. Starting off with a walk along the water, you can also take a ferry and spend some time observing Boston from the side. Being in the middle of all happenings, you can get maybe overwhelmed or taken away, but you most likely will lose your focus and get distracted. What I noticed from my previous trips and try to do wherever I go, is to go on a hike to see the city from the top or take for instance a ferry and look at the dynamics of the people from the side. It helps to refocus and generally be in the city not as a player but an observer.
At the same Waterfront, there is the New England Aquarium. As a passionate Scuba Diver myself, I give you a completely unbiased suggestion to go and see this interactive, magnificent Aquarium. When looking up pictures of the Aquarium, you will find a vast amount of fish species, huge skeletons and incredible platforms to observe those wonderful creatures. For a justifiable reason, it's a leader in marine conservation and ocean exploration.
I ended this mini trip with a stroll in the Christopher Columbus Waterfront Park. It is unimaginably beautiful and peaceful. Benches are places beneath a wooden arcade roof which has bigger holes in which greenery blossoms. Sitting down, you suddenly get feelings of intimacy and security whilst feeling the shafts of sunlight warming your skin. Generally, because the park is located at a bay, you can just observe how boats depart and arrive at the harbor, how the water reflects the sunshine and brightens up your surrounding and pedestrians rushing by. There is a saying which goes along the lines: one can endlessly look at two things, at the movements of a fire and how other people work. I would add to the list the harbour observation. (Funnily enough, I am writing this paragraph sitting next to the Christopher Columbus statue in Barcelona).
Quick note on shopping: it happened that I oftentimes ended up in the same area and found myself strolling in the Prudential Centre. Apart from the amount of stores you can find there - retail, food and restaurants - I noticed that the fact that the roof is made out of glass evokes the feeling of being outside. Maybe it is my general preference of high ceilings and bright spaces but I truly believe that those details change your perception of the whole shopping experience.
One of my personal highlights of this trip was the visit of the Boston ballet in the Boston Opera House.
It was quite a spontaneous decision with some friends to buy the tickets and get dressed up for the evening. The entrance does not even closely justify the beautiful architecture which is sheltered inside. The same applies to the visitors. That evening, it was pretty chilly in Boston so everyone was queuing outside in their coats and suits. As soon as we passed the cloakroom, women stepped out in their glorious dresses and men were wearing well-made suits.
We went to see Romeo&Juliet and I can only recommend it! I found myself thinking that what a pity it is that theatres become less and less of an option for going out. Whilst in the past, those "high culture" activities were, unfortunately, only accessible to a friction of citizens and tourists, nowadays, it is becoming a more affordable way to spend an emotionally enriching evening. However, it seems to be perceived by some as boring, outdated or "not worth the money". This evening, going out with friends and seeing an incredible performance reminded me that none of the perceptions is true. Even the preparation for the evening, the excitement you build on the way the the Opera House, the drinks and chat before and between the acts, and the dinner afterwards, all those things are worth every single penny of that ticket.
Frankly, one day, it happened that I passed by a building and noticed a golden teapot hanging above an entrance of a pub. Afterwards, having done some research, I realised that the Golden Teapot is a landmark in the Government Centre.
Apparently, this heavy tea pot, with a capacity of 227 Gallons, dates back to 1871/73 when it was hanging above "The Oriental Tea Company". It is said that Boston was turning into a city of immigrants many of whom did not speak English. In order for the vendors to clarify what they sell, they hang up representations of the goods. Thus, the tea kettle indicated the possibility to buy some fine tea in the city which is also known for the historical Boston Tea Party.
Last but definitely not least is the the Faneuil Hall Marketplace/Quincy Market that I got to visit. This place has, again, a captivating history behind its walls. This place was actually a gift to the city where people could shop for goods of all kind: fish, meat, garment. The nation's fathers proclaimed it as "The Cadle of Liberty" in 1742. It is where colonists first protested the Sugar Act in 1764 and established the doctrine of “no taxation without representation”. At this point I really appreciate my English teacher for forcing us to study the US history in depths.
Nowadays, locals and tourists can relish unique and nationally recognized shops and having delightful breaks by trying out diverse cuisines in the restaurants, pubs, and in the world-famous Quincy Market Colonnade.
It's been an incredible time in Boston. Saw a lot, did a lot, grew a little bit. Ultimately, I ended up in London but who knows what will happen in the future. As history shows, there are plenty of coincidences...
