TransCultural Exchange

Photo Credit: Colleges of the Fenway's Website

CONFERENCES

With such a high concentration of colleges and universities, Boston is considered the Athens of America, although its close neighbor Cambridge (which lies just across the Charles River) is the home of Harvard and MIT. It is also, arguably, the most European of American cities in that it is very walk-able, full of cafes and low brick buildings.

The area's main mode of transportation is the subway (which was the first built in America). The subway is part of the MBTA (formerly, the Massachusetts Transportation Authority or M.T.A.), and is referred to as the “T” by locals. It was immortalized by the well-known protest song “M.T.A.” Written in 1949 by Jackie Steiner and Bess Hawes, and made famous by the Kingston Trio, the song tells the story about a man named Charlie who is doomed to ride the M.T.A. for the rest of his life. Hence, the tickets to ride the “T” are called “Charlie Cards.” They are available at vending machines located within the subway stations. For more information and to obtain a bus, subway, commuter rail or boat schedule and map, please visit (here).

Also worth noting, New York City is approximately 4 ½ hours by bus from Boston. Buses leave very frequently and fares can be as low as $20/each way. Many bus lines run between Boston and NYC, including the (Peter Pan Bus Lines) and (Bolt Bus). The train (Amtrak) also is available to New York. It leaves from both the South Station and Back Bay Station, and is considerably more expensive than the bus, but also much more relaxing and scenic.

Other things to note:
1. Boston is not a late-night city: The subway stops running around 12:30 am.
2. Typically restaurants stop serving at 10 pm during the week; 11 pm on the weekends. Bars, typically, close at 1 am.

For information on accommodations, restaurant suggestions, local attractions and more, please see the left-hand navigation.