Harvard Visit

In front of the John Harvard statue, "founder" of the university.

If there's one university that most people in America--and many outside the country--know, it's Harvard University in Cambridge, right across the Charles River from our home base at Emerson College. Even if you've never been to the United States, you've probably seen the odd Harvard t-shirt or sweatshirt, the mention of it on TV, as the setting of another movie about fast-paced college life, or known someone who aspires to go to there. We toured the august institution to get a sense of what life on campus is really like and learn what it had to offer firsthand. After an information session outlining the different programs and features of academic and social life at the college, we toured the campus, including a stop at the the John Harvard statue, referred to by students as "the statue of three lies".

Fun at the Science Center, home to many courses at Harvard and at least one giant lens

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Crossing the Charles River on the T.

First Day and Freedom Trail Tour

We continued our tradition of starting the Boston stay with an introduction to the city's historical sites. Our guide for the Freedom Trail tour was--from an 18th century perspective--a colonist who was witness to the events leading to the American Revolution and independence from England. But for those of us in the 21st century, he was an expert in local history, explaining the stories behind the dates and names found in Social Studies textbooks.

Our first stop was Boston Common, previous home of grazing grounds for the town's cattle and other work animals, now a 21st century park complete with playgrounds and paved walkways.

Several stops and further into history, we were in front of the Old South Meeting House, site of a 5,000 person meeting and protest (during a time when Boston had 25,000 residents) that lead to the Boston Tea Party.

We finished the tour at Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market, which has been a market and meeting place for over 250 years. And though the New England clam chowder is likely much the same as in the 1700s, Starbucks, Abercrombie & Fitch, and other purveyors of fine consumer goods are a more recent addition.

Cannolis & Boston College

We have been having a blast in Boston this first week.  We have been VERY busy.  The students have taken 2 SAT practice exams and boy, do we need the weekend!  Two nights ago we journeyed to the North End of Boston, to the Italian district (where Alberto confirmed that it was nothing like Italy) for some cannolis at the famous Mikes Pastry & to do homework.  Yesterday we took our second college visit tour, this time to Boston College.  This weekend will be very excited as we will be visiting the century old Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox and celebrating 4th of July.