From “Pirates Who Don’t Do Anything” to PhD life
My endless enchantment with Boston and Cambridge
Although this is my first year in the Boston/Cambridge area as a PhD student, I actually moved here back in 2021, when the pandemic was still in full swing. I reasoned that even if I didn’t get into MIT, I would like to fulfill a childhood dream of living here that I’ve had since about first grade. Growing up in rural Pennsylvania, I first heard about Boston in a VeggieTales children’s song called “The Pirates That Don’t Do Anything,” in which a cucumber, a grape, and a gourd, dressed up as pirates, reflect on the fact that they are too lazy to do typical pirate things. Their list of things they hadn’t done was long and varied, but the one item that was repeated over and over again was the lament that they’d “never been to Boston in the fall.”
“What’s so special about Boston?” I wondered.
The skyline view makes a perfect backdrop for a run
My quest for answers began at our local library, where I found travel guides about the city. I was instantly smitten with the images of brick buildings, quaint cobblestone streets, and picturesque parks. I also discovered that “Boston” (not yet knowing the distinction between Boston and Cambridge) housed numerous prestigious universities and research centers, such as MIT and Harvard. I had no idea about financial aid and graduate school funding, so these institutions seemed unattainable, but I enjoyed dreaming about attending and spending my time with other people who were passionate about their studies and research.
Several years later, our family got a computer and broadband internet. I began scouring Yahoo Real Estate, hoping to find an affordable house that might convince my parents to relocate to Boston. Although I never succeeded, I enjoyed reading the corny captions describing unique living spaces, charming colonial homes, and the importance of living close to “the T.” I also learned that Bostonians, like Pennsylvanians, had a love for weekend hiking adventures, and that New Hampshire and Maine were within driving distance of the city.
Over twenty years later, I can confidently say that my childhood dreams were not only realized, but in fact, surpassed by my experience here. Here are the top seven reasons I love Boston today:
- The passion: People here are passionate and intelligent without being excessively boastful. Over the past two years, I have always been struck by the degree to which people would rather discuss the intricacies of whatever it is that they’re researching or working on than tout their own accomplishments.
- Straight talk: Boston may have been ranked fifth on a list of the top rudest American cities, but that’s not because Bostonians are heartless. I’ve found that locals are refreshingly direct, but ultimately very kind. I’ve had neighbors mercilessly make fun of my parallel parking skills, and then help me park. Another time, a random stranger at a bus stop made fun of me for forgetting my raincoat, and then gifted me an extra umbrella.
- Nature’s beauty: The White Mountains and their stunning peaks are close by, and the city is full of potential hiking buddies. My favorite hike thus far has been Mount Pierce in February, where the breathtaking views made up for our frozen faces.
Mount Pierce
- The perfect size: Boston balances urban amenities and a manageable size. It might be too quiet for people who prefer NYC, but I personally feel like I can do all of the things that I would want to do in a big city, like going for brunch, visiting a museum, watching a performance, and going social dancing, while still feeling a sense of community.
- The cuisine: The city’s food scene features local and international delights, including delicious cannolis, classic Italian-American dishes, and mouth-watering Brazilian options.
- Green spaces: Boston, and especially Cambridge, are full of accessible places to go for relaxing walks. My personal favorites are Fresh Pond, the Charles River Esplanade, and Boston Common.
Even crowded East Boston has some beautiful parks
- Ocean proximity: Growing up far from the coast, going to the beach was a rare occasion that required many hours of preparation and driving. I still can’t get over the fact that there are dozens of beaches near Boston, many of which are accessible by public transportation. During my first year in Boston, I house-sat in Cape Cod during January and actually swam in the ocean daily, despite the snow. Nowadays, as a grad student, I still try to visit nearby beaches like Nahant and Singing Beach.
Duxbury Beach, about an hour from MIT
As I continue my journey as a PhD student, I look forward to exploring more of the city, meeting new people, and creating lasting memories. While no city is perfect, and I’m still getting used to some of its quirks, such as the traffic jams and T-delays, I couldn’t be happier to call the Boston/Cambridge area my home.
Share this post:
