Category: Jess S

Among the many reasons I chose to move to Boston for college, I did not think that food would make it to the list. When I think of the city, I picture an old, bustling place, littered with pieces of brown cobblestone and maroon brick. But apart from its picturesque aesthetic and vintage appearance, Boston may hold a place as one of the best food spots in America. I somehow managed the first few weeks of freshman year with an abundance of microwaved chicken, Velveeta cheese, and a giant tub of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream in my mini fridge. Before you make the same mistake, I’ll introduce you to the best food spots for college students that do not involve spending any sappy dining points. 

Thinking Cup 

For all things coffee, dessert, and brunch. I’m not talking to the girlies who want to douse themselves in Dunkin’ Donuts at 7 in the morning and just call it a day. I’m talking to the coffee connoisseurs that enjoy the pure taste of rich black coffee. The restaurant itself is a homage to the unique underground setup of the Boston Brownstone. Located right by Copley station on Newbury Street, Thinking Cup exudes an air of homey but sophisticated at the same time. The entrance pulls you into a wooden-lined cafe surrounded by dim lighting and a row of small tables. Their coffee tastes nothing like the bitter grounds from regular chains. It has a subtle nuttiness that leaves your tongue with nodes of dark and rich cocoa. 

NudPob 

The famous NudPob. Every BU Student is familiar with this Thai place right next to the Boston University Central Stop. When I say I have never tasted a pad Thai as good as theirs, I am not lying. Their noodles soak up the sweet taste of tamarind paste and saltiness from the fish sauce. The best way to enjoy this delicacy is with seafood as the meat of the dish, and a refreshing Thai tea to wash it all down. Fair warning: You will smell like fish sauce after. 

M&J Teriyaki 

One of the hidden gems of Boston. M&J Teriyaki is a Japanese-Chinese fusion restaurant right by Fenway Park. This hole-in-the-wall restaurant is often crowded with Doordash and Uber eats drivers. That’s how you know it’s good. Don’t be fooled by the small size of the place and the little seating. Their servings are big enough to feed a party of 3. Every piece of their crispy chicken teriyaki is coated in a thick and slightly savory sauce and served with a heaping amount of stir-fried vegetables. You can choose to have it with noodles, fried rice, or plain white rice. Don’t skimp on the chicken teriyaki, it tastes immaculate. 

FoMu

For dessert, you can make your way to the best vegan ice cream in Fenway. Calling all lactose-intolerant people!!! This is your new go-to ice cream spot. They serve milkshakes, ice cream cakes, and sundaes. Apart from the regular flavors like vanilla and chocolate, they also specialize in loaded flavors like Matcha with vanilla pound cake, Chocolate & peanut butter cup, and cold brew ice cream. The texture of every bite is thick and chewy, with tiny hints of coconut that coat your tongue in pure deliciousness. 

CAVA

For the broke college students looking for a decent meal at a fair price – CAVA is for you. Think Mediterranean but Chipotle style. Think Sweetgreen but with hummus and feta on the side. This make-your-own fast-casual restaurant is the best place for students who want a decent meal without breaking the bank. CAVA takes a modern and hip look with its hardwood floors, bright lights, and black decor. The minute I find the urge to scarf down a bowl of saffron rice, harissa chicken, and roasted vegetables, I call my friends and the second I say “CAVA” they are out the door and running to Fenway. 

The list goes on and on and on. Whether you are looking to chat and have coffee or grab a late-night meal, Boston has something for everyone. For days when the sun is out and you want to soak up the weather with some ice cream, and for nights when the cold is unbearable and you want to cozy up in bed with a bowl of food. Boston has so much to offer besides brick buildings and cobblestone streets. Past the commercial buildings and busy student towns, the city is filled with different nooks of deliciousness. You just have to know where to look. 

Here’s the best part about living in the center of a big city: late-night munchies.
Picture this, it’s 1 am on a Saturday night, your feet are sore from walking across campus, and the only thing on your mind (besides the freezing air) is the sound of your empty stomach. Trudging your way back to your dorm means settling for the frozen microwavable sitting in your tiny micro-fridge, which seems far from a satisfying option. Don’t worry hungry homie, I’ve discovered the best places to get your fix-ins before 2 am in the morning.

1. Victoria’s Seafood Restaurant
This classic Chinese restaurant has a menu that runs almost the same length as a novel. To all my fellow Chinese students who miss the taste of home-cooked restaurant quality food, Vicky’s is the place to go. Open until 1 am, this restaurant will definitely satisfy your salty cravings with their famous fried rice, mapo tofu, and my personal favorite – salt and pepper squid deep fried in crunchy batter. Oozing with traces of savory deliciousness, this place will bring the comfort of
authentic Chinese food directly to your taste buds in only a matter of minutes. And believe me when I say you know it’s good food when the servers don’t need to coddle their customers because they are confident people will come back for the mere smell of their chef’s cooking.

2. El Jefe’s
An excellent place for my burrito-loving students. I like to call this restaurant Chipotle on steroids. El Jefe’s just screams authentic, not only because their ingredients are top-quality, but because the workers definitely know what’s good. Just from the look of their array of toppings, you can immediately tell how fresh everything is – from the hefty servings of hot pulled pork to
the bright and colorful pico de gallo. For the price, which rounds out to about $10-$13 dollars each, you can easily split a bowl into two meals and still feel full from the large serving of pinto beans. If you’re looking for a hearty bowl of Mexican flavors catered to your taste, El Jefe’s is one to try.

3. BBQ Chicken
I believe the trend of restaurants in the west is an unfair advantage to those who live all the way across the bridge. But worry no more my fellow easters, because Kenmore has got your back. BBQ chicken is THE place to get your chicken fix-in. I would strongly suggest you take a good number of people here so you get to try each and every chicken flavor. This Korean restaurant serves flavors like cheesy snow, honey garlic, and my personal favorite – “secret sauce”. The tangy, sweet, and spicy combination leaves you craving more and each morsel of crunch is
perfectly coated in their signature sauce. A good serving of 20 pieces can definitely last you a few days if you’re planning on ordering in on a Saturday night. But asides from their star dish, I would not pass up on the Korean sides like their Rose Tteokboki, a creamy and spicy base littered with pieces of rice cakes, fish cakes, and topped with cheese.

4. Insomnia Cookies
It would be a crime to college culture if we were to end the night without something sweet. Insomnia Cookies are a staple at Boston University. This late-night dessert place brings students from both ends of campus given its prime location. Located right by the central campus, Insomnia Cookies serves one of the best sweet treats in a wide variety of flavors. From the classic chocolate chip to HERSHEY’S Reeses pieces, you’ll find yourself craving these gooey pieces of baked sugar even as you walk by campus and unintentionally steal a whiff of
their fresh batch. Insomnia welcomes customers until 1 am on weekdays and 3 am on the weekends. If you’re feeling extra adventurous, grab a bite of their ice cream sandwhiches or limited edition flavors. Just don’t forget to wash it down with a cold glass of fresh milk – the perfect end to a night out.

This only touches the surface to what Boston has to offer those searching for a treat amidst the bustling lights of college nightlife. These top tier restaurants will definitely leave a mark on your time at BU, but the adventure doensn’t end here. This city is all about good food and even better people, so take my advice and make these food trips a group activity – a shared experience you will never forget.

JESS S: My Journey to COM

When a glitch in my high school’s registration system accidentally landed me in a journalism elective freshman year, I would discover a passion for the field of communications that has grown ever since. And ever since I went on my first tour of Boston University's College of Communication five years ago, I knew that COM was the right place for me and that I wanted to become involved in a meaningful way. COM has provided me with so many incredible experiences; from dynamic classes, internship leads from professors to writing for The Boston Globe. As a COM ambassador, I have been able to give back by helping other students navigate and make the most of their COM experience. 

Since that fortuitous accident in high school, I have been pursuing every avenue to gain experience in communications and hone my skills. When I got to BU, I was that student that put my email down at what felt like every single table at Splash. I wanted to dive in and learn what I loved to do the most. Now as an Advertising & Journalism double major, I am continuing to let communications skills flourish and am learning more every day. I have become involved in many different extracurriculars so I could truly experience everything COM and BU has to offer. More than anything I wanted to figure out my place here and where I fit in, and I have to say - that’s the only way to do it. It’s important to dive right in and immerse yourself in the endless opportunities COM has to offer. 

As I am approaching my senior year, I have started to reflect on my past 3 years at BU. Although COVID got in the way at times, I still feel I took advantage of everything COM can provide. Whether you just arrived at BU or you’ve been here a while now, get as involved as you can because it goes by in a blink of an eye. You will never look back on your time at BU and say “I wish I had gotten less involved.” So make the most of your time here, I promise you won’t regret it. 

 

Should You Study Abroad? A Traveler’s Guide to Being The International Student

Let’s be honest — you’ve romanticized yourself living in a single apartment, seeking an independent life, and finding freedom from the clutch of your parents. There’s no doubt that moving to another state or city for college can accomplish that goal, but what if you wanted to deal your cards even further and travel to a different country? I recently spent my first semester in this incredibly odd place called the United States of America, and I want to share what it’s like to build a new persona for yourself while hurdling through the cultural barriers of a new country. 

 

First thing’s first, WEATHER! 

The best thing about moving to a place you’ve never been before is the complete wardrobe change. I grew up in the Philippines, a tropical country in Southeast Asia that is approximately 30c degrees (86 in Fahrenheit for my fellow Americans). That being said, I was more than excited to finally switch up the usual shorts and spaghetti strapped shirts I was used to wearing. When moving to a new place, remember to ALWAYS take the weather into account because now that it’s the dead of winter in Massachusetts where snow can come in at any minute I’m beginning to question my decision to study on the east coast (only joking, of course). The weather is a huge factor in your stay since it will determine the activities you end up doing, what you wear, and the difficulty level of your adjustment. The best weather is one you are prepared for and one you can eventually learn to enjoy. 

 

New You? 

One of the absolute best parts about moving to a new country is that nobody, and I mean almost nobody will know who you were back in high school. Failed biology in Junior year? Went to school with a terrible haircut that you still have nightmares about? Wore the wrong uniform to gym class? Went to a high school with a bad reputation? Don’t even worry about it. This is one of those few opportunities that allow you to completely rebrand yourself. And in the unfortunate event that you are unable to think of anything else to add to your new personality, you can always pull the international student card. 

 

Culture Shock is REAL

I never realized that when someone asks, “How are you?”, you’re actually supposed to ask how they are after answering. In Manila, people don’t really ask how you are. Random people don’t really even greet one another in general. I thought my limited TikTok and Youtube exposure to American culture prepared me enough to live here, but there are some things that you can only learn by experiencing it. Back in Highschool, we were required to stand up if we wanted to speak in class, and here everyone just seems to sit and talk at the same time. I also want to give a small shoutout to the advancements in payment methods here in America. Everything here is paid through apple pay or card, and whenever I pay with cash, I have trouble checking if my change is correct because American coins still confuse me. Moving to a new country requires a lot of preparation, not just in greetings and currency, but in learning a new language, trying to speak without an accent, and pushing yourself to talk to the locals when it’s pouring hail and you can’t remember where the nearest T is. 

 

Family 

The hardest part about studying abroad, on my end at least, was the homesickness. In my opinion, it’s worst after winter break because as soon as I arrived in Boston, I couldn’t even leave my dorm because of the cold and the covid cases around the area. There are days when it feels like my family is so far away, and the time difference only makes it harder to contact them when I need to hear their voice. This is why I strongly suggest that you join clubs, make friends, go out, do your assignments, keep yourself busy, and enjoy the freedom you have in a city you can one day call yours. 

 

It’s not easy to study abroad for an extended period of time. Even if my country offered more opportunities in the education and employment department, I wouldn’t trade my first semester here for anything. If you do decide to study abroad, know that the people you will meet, regardless of a potential language and culture barrier, those people will make all of the harsh winters and endless midterms worth it. Not to mention, when you’re studying abroad you are not only learning something you probably would have never seen or heard of back home but are also discovering the beauty of independence. In 10 years time when life decides to hit me in the face and put me in a position where I need to make decisions for myself while in a single apartment trying to get my 9 to 5 together, I am 70% sure I’ll have already gotten through worse and survived by then.