Download Welcome to Boston!

Welcome to Boston!
A quick guide to “Beantown” for new international students:
What you must know and where you must go
to take full advantage of your time here.
Please tell what you think of the information provided
by clinking the link to a short survey at the end of this document.
Table of Contents: (click on the section below to be taken to more information)
“Do”s and “Don’t”s……………………………………………………………………………p. 1
Understanding Your Health Insurance……………………………………………….p. 1
Boston Transportation………………………………………………………………………p. 3
Shopping and Dining………………………………………………………………………..p. 5
Free Fun in Boston……………………………………………………………………………p. 7
Boston Sports…………………………………………………………………………………..p. 9
Other Ways to Get the Best of Boston…………………………………………………p. 10
Boston Slang……………………………………………………………………………………p. 10
Must Know: “Do”s and “Don’t”s
DON’T
• Don’t drink until you are 21 years old.
• Don’t smoke in public areas.
• Don’t ask people how much money they make or how much they paid for certain
high-end items (such as houses, cars, etc).
• Don’t ask women their age or weight.
• Don’t speak loudly on cell phones in enclosed, public places (such as museums,
theaters, restaurants, banks, etc.).
• Don’t ask about someone’s medical history.
• Don’t arrive more than 5 minutes early for a casual dinner invitation.
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Shake hands when you first meet someone.
Tipping 15%-20% of the bill for the server is a common custom.
If you’re invited to dinner, it’s customary to take along a small simple present,
e.g. flowers, a plant, chocolates, or a bottle of wine.
If someone pays you a compliment, do not protest or deny the truth of the
statement (as in many other cultures). Accept the compliment graciously and
with thanks.
If you have any questions about American customs, do not hesitate to ask a fellow
student or the International Student & Scholar Institute at 405 Ell Hall. Social customs
in the United States are vague and confusing. It is not unusual to be confused at first.
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Must Know: Understanding Your Health Insurance
In Massachusetts it is state law for all residents to obtain health insurance. Uninsured
residents will be fined. Northeastern University automatically enrolls all full-time
students in a health insurance plan unless they waive insurance coverage.
It is important to understand which type of insurance plan has been purchased, as it will
determine the steps taken to schedule an appointment. Every plan is different, but in this
section we have described some general guidelines. Some plans, such as Preferred
Provider Organizations (PPOs), do not require their members to have primary care
physicians (PCPs); many others such as Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) do.
HMOs require you to obtain a referral from the PCP before the appointment or they will
not pay the doctor and the member will be held responsible for the fees.
Some plans have a deductible. For example if a deductible is $1000, the insurance
company will not pay for any appointments until the member has already paid $1000
towards appointments in that calendar year.
The insurance card is a wealth of information; it should be kept handy at all times.
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What is found on the insurance card:
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Member ID number – Doctors’ offices will use this number to bill the insurance
company for your visit.
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Copay (co-payment) – The amount you must pay to the doctor’s office when you
visit. The type of visit determines the amount of the copay.
o Outpatient Visit (OV) – An appointment where the patient can leave the
doctor’s office or hospital that same day. An inpatient is someone who is
admitted to the hospital and an inpatient visit is any appointment you
may have while admitted to the hospital.
o Behavioral Health or Mental Health Visits – These are appointments with
psychiatrists, psychologists and/or other mental health practitioners.
o ER or Emergency Room Visits
o Prescription copay – The out-of-pocket cost the member must pay for
medications prescribed by the doctor. Typically there are different tiers or
levels of prescription copays. Name-brand medicines are usually more
expensive than their generic equivalents, so be sure to ask your doctor or
pharmacist if the name-brand prescription is necessary.
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Member or Customer Service Phone Number – Call this number to find out if a
doctor is in-network, meaning the insurance company will pay for the visit to that
doctor, or to get other information about the plan. This information may also be
found on the insurance company’s website.
Prescriptions – In the U.S., physicians, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners
can prescribe medication. They will either physically write a prescription for you to take
to a pharmacy or they will call in or send in the prescription to the pharmacy. If the
medication is in stock at the pharmacy, it will typically be available that same day. The
patient will then go to the pharmacy to retrieve the medicine. Some common pharmacies
in the Boston area are: CVS, Walgreens, Rite-Aid, and Osco.
Health/Wellness Benefits – Many insurance companies offer additional incentives
for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. For example some insurance companies will
reimburse their members for gym or health club memberships.
Emergencies – Dial 911 or go to the Emergency Room.
Urgent Care – Call the PCP to be advised of the necessary steps.
It is often necessary to call your primary care physician after you receive urgent or
emergency care to inform him or her of the emergency.
*It should be noted that in many cases dental and routine vision care are covered by a
separate insurance plan. Contact your insurance company to find out how to schedule an
appointment with a dentist or an eye doctor.
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Must Know: Boston Transportation
Public transportation in the Boston area is provided by the Massachusetts Bay
Transportation Authority (MBTA). The subway system is known as “the T.” Maps,
schedules, and prices can be found on the MBTA website: www.mbta.com.
The MBTA website offers a useful trip planner which will give you the possible routes
between your start point and end point. This is right on the home page under “Rider
Tools.”
You pay the fare for your trip by using a plastic “CharlieCard” or paper “Charlie Ticket”.
You can get Charlie Tickets at self-service machines. You may need to ask a T employee
for a CharlieCard, and then you can add value to it at the machines. Using the plastic
card saves money! You can also save money by buying a monthly unlimited pass if you
know you will be using the T a lot. This can be done at the self-service machines or online
at the MBTA website.
Getting to and from Northeastern:
Northeastern’s campus has two nearby T stops: Northeastern University on the Green
Line (E Line) and Ruggles Station on the Orange Line. There are also bus lines that go
near campus, many of which stop at Ruggles.
Customs and tips:
• As in any city, the T can be very crowded during rush hour (7:30-9:30 AM; 56:30 PM). Try to avoid it then.
• In Boston, it is customary to wait until all people that need to exit the train have
done so before anyone else gets on.
• It is considered polite to give up your seat for any passenger who is elderly or
pregnant.
• At above-ground stops on the Green Line, such as the Northeastern stop, you pay
when you get on board. There is a machine in each train car by the driver’s seat.
• At the above-ground stops on the Green Line, you may have to ring a bell for your
train stop. The driver will usually announce this. You may also have to exit
through the front door
• At each station, the tracks are marked with the direction of the train: inbound
(going toward the center of the city) or outbound (going away from the city
center). Sometimes the station entrance will only lead to one of the tracks, so
look at signs and maps to be sure you are on the correct side before you pay the
fare.
Popular T Stops
Below are some of the major stops on each line. You will mostly likely go to these
stations numerous times during your stay in Boston.
Green Line:
• North Station – Connects to the commuter rail and is also the location of the TD
Garden which holds sports games and concerts.
• Copley – Located at Copley Square with the Boston Public Library, is also near
Newbury Street and other Back Bay hot spots.
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Kenmore – Near Fenway Park (home of the Red Sox) and the shops, restaurants,
and bars of Kenmore Square and Lansdowne Street.
The Green Line splits into four branches on the western end:
• B Line to Boston University, Allston/Brighton, Boston College
• C Line to Brookline, Coolidge Corner, Washington Square, Cleveland Circle
• D Line to Longwood Medical Area, Brookline, Newton
• E Line to Northeastern, Mission Hill (Brigham Circle), Jamaica Plain
o Note that if you are at Northeastern on the E line and you want to go
outbound on other Green Line branches (B, C, or D), you need to first go
inbound to Arlington station. On the T map, it looks like you can change
lines at Copley Station, but you have to go outside there and pay again. At
Arlington, you can easily transfer, staying underground.
Orange Line:
• Back Bay – Located in the Back Bay and Copley Square area with many shops and
restaurants; is also near the South End; connects to the commuter rail lines.
• Chinatown – The area has many Chinese restaurants and shops; near the Theatre
District; the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) is here.
• Downtown Crossing – Connects to the Red Line; Downtown Crossing is a popular
shopping area.
Red Line:
• Park Street – Connects to Green Line, located at Boston Common, a large public
park.
• South Station – Connects to commuter rail and a major bus station, including
buses that go to New York City.
• Harvard Square – Location of the famous Harvard University; this is across the
Charles River in Cambridge, MA; there are many shops, restaurants, and
attractions here.
• Porter Square – Also in Cambridge; good shopping and dining.
Blue Line:
• Government Center – Located at City Hall Plaza, which has many events;
connects to the Green Line.
• State – Located near Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market, two popular areas.
• Airport – Brings you to Logan Airport; from the T station, shuttle buses will take
you to the airport terminals.
Silver Line:
• The Silver Line has buses, not trains. It connects to Downtown Crossing, South
Station, and the Airport.
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Must Go: Shopping and Dining in Boston
SHOPPING
The Boston shopping scene offers choices for every style and taste.
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Key Shopping Hubs in Boston
Newbury Street – Armani to Newbury Comics and everything in between. Runs parallel to
Boylston Street and Commonwealth Avenue (known as “Comm Ave.”). Enclosed by Arlington
Street and Massachusetts Avenue (known as “Mass Ave.”). Intersecting streets are
alphabetical: Arlington, Berkeley, Clarendon, Dartmouth, Exeter, Fairfield, Gloucester,
Hereford. Upscale stores and boutiques are towards the higher part of the alphabet, trendier
stores are closer to the end, near Mass Ave.
Downtown Crossing – An eclectic mix of stores, food, and culture. You will find trendier shops
in this area. Over 200 stores in one small neighborhood.
Copley Place and The Shops at Prudential Center – Two great malls, one location. These
shopping centers in the middle of the city offer everything you can ask for. The great part is
that they are attached. You can walk from one to the other through an enclosed bridge and
find everything you need.
Faneuil Hall Marketplace/Quincy Market – This area is a hub for good shopping and good
food. In between spending cash, you can spend some time taking in the performances of local
street performers.
Charles Street – Located at the base of Beacon Hill, this area features upscale boutiques and
restaurants.
Frugal Finds
Filene’s Basement – This “above ground” version is located at 497 Boylston Street. Name
brands, discount prices. There is also an entrance on Newbury Street.
Marshalls – Located at 500 Boylston St., this store also offers brand names for less. Has quite
a large shoe department.
DSW – At 385 Washington Street (in Downtown Crossing), you will find two floors of
discounted shoe deals. Clearance area can be a steal.
Garment District, Cambridge – Vintage clothes, shoes and accessories, good for costume
parties and eclectic wear.
Beyond the City Limits
Harvard Square – Shopping, food, art, culture and history at the steps of the oldest higher
education institution in the country.
Atrium Mall and the Mall at Chestnut Hill – Two malls with a suburban feel separated by Rt.
9… with free parking!
South Bay Shopping Center – Clothes, electronics, office supplies, etc. on the edge of the city.
Cambridge Side Galleria – Waterfront shopping dining, just across the Charles River.
Wrentham Village Premium Outlets – Discounted brand name shopping in an outdoor, mall
atmosphere. Definitely worth the venture away from the city. This location gets very busy on
the weekends and especially on holiday weekends. Beat the rush – go early in the day and snag
the best deals first!
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For the Techies
Best Buy at Landmark Center, Brookline Ave. – Electronics superstore near Fenway Park.
Best Buy at South Bay Center – Larger version, great selection. This location is usually well
stocked.
Apple Store on Boylston St. – Ultramodern products in an ultra modern atmosphere. Don’t
forget to check out the glass staircase.
DINING
Boston also offers a variety of cuisine from around the world. Since it is too numerous to discuss
each area, we have chosen to highlight a few key neighborhoods and restaurants as well as give
you the hints and secrets for exploring the restaurant scene on your own. The adventure of it all is
the most fun.
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Notables
North End – Boston’s own “little Italy.” This neighborhood on the waterfront boasts the best
Italian restaurants and bakeries. Keep an eye out for the various festivals in this neighborhood
through out the year.
Chinatown – This “official” neighborhood holds a variety of Asian history, culture, cuisine and
architecture. Stroll through the streets and visit the outdoor markets.
Cheers Restaurant – Visit the location that the TV show was based on. Opened in 1969, the
original pub is located on Beacon Street. You can also visit a replica in the Faneuil Hall area.
The Union Oyster House – Established in 1826, Boston’s oldest restaurant serves up local
seafood and New England cuisine.
Tools for Exploring the Cuisine
Restaurant Weeks – Held twice a year for two weeks in March and August, many of the
restaurants participate in this event where you can enjoy prix-fixe meals all over the city for
the same price. This is an excellent way to sample some of the best in the city.
Quincy Market at Faneuil Hall Marketplace – A food for everyone’s taste. A great place to head
when everyone wants something different. When you are done, there is plenty to do in the
neighborhood to burn off some extra calories.
OpenTable – Use this site to search for restaurants by cuisine, neighborhood, price, etc. and
even make your reservations. Booking through this site at specified restaurants will earn you
gift certificates for more dining. You can also make your Restaurant Week reservations here.
Seasonal Food Events
Scooperbowl – Held in early June. Pay one price and enjoy ice cream and help raise money for
the Jimmy Fund at Dana Farber Cancer Institute at the same time.
Chowderfest – Held in early July as a part of HarborFest (in conjunction with the 4th of July
celebrations). Chowderfest is an opportunity to sample a variety of one of New England’s most
notable dishes.
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Must Go: Free Fun in Boston!!
It is widely known that Boston is one of the most expensive cities in America. From rent
to parking to movie tickets, it is not hard to blow through your cash; however, with some
careful planning and research you may find that there are a multitude of events and
attractions that cost nothing, though many museums suggest a small donation. Those
that do charge admission often have a discount for guests with a student ID. Download
walking tours on your ipod at www.cityofboston.gov/visitors.
ART
Boston Public Library – America’s first free public library.
Free admission.
Self-guided tours and exhibit information can be found on the library website.
www.bpl.org
Emerson College Huret & Spector Gallery
Free admission
www.emerson.edu/huret
Harvard University Fogg and Sackler Museums
Free admission for Massachusetts residents on Saturdays from 10am to 12pm.
www.artmuseums.harvard.edu
Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA)
Free admission from 5 to 9 pm every Thursday night.
www.ica.org
Museum of Fine Arts (MFA)
Suggested donation only after 4pm on Wednesdays.
www.mfa.org
Tuft’s University Art Gallery
Free admission
www.ase.tufts.edu/gallery
HISTORY
Perhaps one of Boston’s most famous attractions is the Freedom Trail. Just follow the 2.5
mile red or brick line and delve into Boston’s rich history. Along the way you can pass
through some of the most important sites in American history. Admission is free at the
following stops:
• Massachusetts State House – Take a free tour, either self-guided or led by a
staff member, weekdays from 10am to 4pm. www.sec.state.ma.us/trs
• Holocaust Memorial – Walk through a memorial dedicated those who
perished in the Holocaust. www.nehm.com
• Park Street Church – A landmark in Boston’s history and the anti-slavery
movement.
• Faneuil Hall – Visit “the cradle of liberty” and see some of Boston’s finest street
performers.
• Old North Church – Boston’s oldest church.
• Bunker Hill Memorial – Venture up 294 stairs to a breathtaking view of the
city at this Revolutionary War monument.
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USS Constitution – Climb aboard “Old Ironsides,” the world’s oldest warship
still afloat today.
Visit www.thefreedomtrail.org for more information.
Commonwealth Museum – Home to some of America’s oldest and most treasured
documents and artifacts.
Free admission
www.sec.state.ma.us/mus/museum
Harvard Museum of Natural History
Free to Massachusetts residents on Sundays from 9am to noon.
www.hmnh.harvard.edu
Harvard University
Historical tours of America’s oldest and most famous university.
Free guided tours scheduled 6 days a week.
www.harvard.edu/visitors
EVENTS
Free Concerts
DCR Hatch Shell
Sponsored by Oldies 103.3
www.hatchshell.com
Free Friday Flicks
Movies at the DCR Hatch Shell
Sponsored by WBZ NewsRadio
www.wbz.com
Berklee Lunch Sessions
Free concerts by the Berklee College Musicians
Prudential Center, South Garden
www.prudentialcenter.com/experience/events
Free Concerts at City Hall Plaza
www.celebrateboston.com
MISCELLANEOUS
MIT Museum – Check out the innovations and inventions that make MIT worldfamous.
Free admission on Sundays from 10am to 12pm.
http://web.mit.edu/museum
Samuel Adams Brewery Tour – See firsthand how Boston’s most popular brew is
made and sample their newest creations. Brewery tours are for guests 21 and older.
www.samueladams.com
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Must Know: Boston Sports
Many Boston residents are very passionate and enthusiastic about the professional
sports teams in the area. A good way to feel at home in Boston is to become familiar with
the four most popular teams. Maybe you will even become a fan yourself!
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BOSTON RED SOX
Sport: Baseball
Nicknames: “the Sox” “BoSox”
Colors: red, white, dark blue
League name: Major League Baseball
(MLB)
Regular season: 162 games from April to
October
National championship: World Series
Stadium: Fenway Park in Boston, located at
Kenmore Station on the Green Line (or you
can walk from NU)
Manager (coach): Terry Francona
Famous current players:
• David Ortiz, also known as Big Papi,
designated hitter
• Josh Beckett, pitcher
• Jason Varitek, catcher
• Dustin Pedroia, second base
Facts:
• The team was founded in 1901.
• In 2004, they won the World Series
after not winning for 86 years.
• Their rivals are the New York Yankees.
(You cannot like both teams!)
BOSTON BRUINS
Sport: Ice hockey
Nickname: “B’s”
Colors: black, gold, white
League name: National Hockey League
(NHL)
Regular season: 82 games from October to
April
National championship: Stanley Cup
Stadium: TD Garden in Boston, located at
North Station on the Green and Orange
Lines
Coach: Claude Julien
Famous current players:
• Zdeno Chara, captain and defenceman
• Patrice Bergeron, centre
• Milan Lucic, left winger
Facts:
• The team was founded in 1924.
• They have won five Stanley Cup
championships.
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NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
Sport: Football (American)
Nickname: “the Pats”
Colors: blue, silver, red
League name: National Football League
(NFL)
Regular season: 16 games from September
to December (one game per week, typically
on Sunday)
National championship: Super Bowl
Stadium: Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, MA,
(can be reached from Boston by car or by
commuter rail)
Coach: Bill Belichick
Famous current players:
• Tom Brady, quarterback
• Randy Moss, wide receiver
• Wes Welker, wide receiver
Facts:
• They won the Super Bowl in the 2001,
2003, and 2004 seasons.
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In 2007, they did not lose any games
during the regular season.
BOSTON CELTICS
Sport: Basketball
Nicknames: “Celts” “C’s”
Colors: green, white
League name: National Basketball
Association (NBA)
Regular season: 82 games from November
to April
National championship: NBA Finals
Stadium: TD Garden in Boston, located at
North Station on the Green and Orange
Lines
Coach: Doc Rivers
Famous current players:
• Paul Pierce, captain, forward
• Ray Allen, guard
• Kevin Garnett, forward
• Rajon Rondo, guard
Facts:
• Their rivals are the Los Angeles Lakers.
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Must Go: Other Sporting Events in Boston
In addition to its professional teams, Boston has a number of very popular sporting
events. Two of them are the Boston Marathon and the Head of the Charles Regatta
The Boston Marathon takes place every year on the third Monday in April, on a
holiday called Patriots' Day. The first Boston Marathon was held in 1897. The 26.2 mile
race begins in Hopkinton, MA, and finishes in Boston’s Copley Square. Many people
come to cheer on the runners. For more information, click here.
The Head of the Charles Regatta is the world’s largest two-day rowing event. It takes
place in October on the Charles River. The first one was held in 1965. More than 7,500
athletes participate in the event. For more information, click here.
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Other Ways to Get the Best of Boston
Groupon – Daily deals for local food, entertainment, art, sports, leisure and
pampering.
Boston Meet-up – Get together with locals based on your interests and hobbies.
CitySearch – Excellent search engine to find almost anything in the city.
Bostix kiosks – Get discounted tickets to area shows on the day of the show. Line
up early!
Student Rush – Most shows and performances will also offer discounted tickets
on the day of the show with your student ID.
Must Know: Boston Slang
Slang Term
Definition of some words a local Bostonian might use
The “Hub”
used to describe Boston, it is shaped like a wheel with spokes (a hub)
hub
busy location, social center
Mass Ave.
Massachusetts Avenue
Comm Ave.
Commonwealth Avenue
Beantown
a nickname for Boston
jimmies
sprinkles for ice cream
bubbler
water fountain
rotary
roundabout, traffic circle
frappe
Milkshake
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PLEASE CLICK HERE TO BE REDIRECTED TO THE SURVEY Thank you. We hope you found this document helpful to you to make the most of your stay in “Beantown”. 11