INTO Times Ask Auntie December 22

What can I do if I’m feeling homesick?

Dear Auntie, 

I started feeling homesick at the end of the semester and am not sure why. I feel ashamed about this because I am enjoying being at Suffolk and have made good friends. I’m not sure who to speak to or what to do when I am having these homesick feelings. Do you have any advice? 

Signed,

Homesick at Suffolk  

Dear Homesick at Suffolk,

What you are feeling is a natural part of living somewhere new. At first you may be in a honeymoon phase and enjoy experiencing new things each day with the new culture. However, after some time, you will begin to miss what you love most about your home country and culture, and of course, you will miss your family and friends back home. This can especially become stronger during stressful situations such as finals week or having a heavy workload or having disagreements with your new friends. Now that you know this is natural and normal, what can you do about it? Well, my advice is to accept these feelings and seek ways to connect with what you are most passionate about that will remind you of home.

Try these when you are feeling most homesick:

  • Listen to your favorite music and share these songs with others
  • Find your favorite foods locally and ask your friends to try it too
  • Watch your favorite movies alone or with others
  • Show others how to find your city on a map and then tell them the best things about it
  • Teach others some common words in your language so that they can greet you this way
  • Share photos of your family, friends, and city with others
  • Call your friends and family back home to see how everyone is doing—hearing their voices might do the trick!

Don’t be surprised if doing any of these things makes you cry; that is a healthy response.

Most feelings of homesickness will decrease as time goes by and as you adjust to the new culture; however, for some people, these feelings may persist and lead to depression. If you think this might be true for you, please speak to the INTO Student Experience Team, the Interfaith Center, or to Counseling, Health, and Wellness to get more information on how to keep your homesickness from causing you to withdraw from your studies and friends.

INTO Suffolk is here to support you in having a healthy and positive experience. Please send in a new question to Ask Auntie for next month’s newsletter.

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INTO Times Peer Advice December 22

By Ivan Alshevskikh

MILLER LOUNGE  

 

Are you tired of doing your homework in boring, ordinary libraries or you are struggling with where you can hang out with your friends and relax from university life and your routine? If so Miller may be an amazing solution for you!   

The most outstanding feature of Miller Lounge that differentiates it from many others is its view. It is located on the 19th floor of the Miller building beside areas like Beacon Hill and Back Bay, and you can see much of Cambridge across the river. If you are attentive enough, you can even recognize the famous semi-sphere of MIT university, Microsoft, and the Google offices.  

Miller lounge has plenty of seating available for many people to fit in there, as there are 7 bar stools and a long wooden table (for those who prefer to write out their homework), 3 separate soft chairs and a huge sofa which can hold up to 10 people at once. So there is always enough space for everyone.  

However, it’s also important to choose the right time to go to have a pleasant experience. For instance, if you want to do your homework or to work on your projects, the best time to go will be in the early morning or when everybody will have classes, between 11 am and 2 pm. However, if you want to have fun with your friends, the best choice will be after 4 pm as the sun goes down around that time and you can witness the delightful sunset, which covers all of Boston with the last sunshine of the day. 

INTO Center Lounge

4th floor of 73 Tremont

 

If you are looking for a place to hang out in between classes, INTO Lounge is the perfect spot! 

It has a variety of seating, which are tables & chairs, and long sofas with desks, and individual chairs. If you want to hang out with your friends, there are also a variety of board games available. On special occasions, the lounge is usually decorated depending on the season. For example, on Halloween, it was decorated with pumpkins and cute ghosts. If you are bored, feel free to come to the lounge since usually there will be an event going on. The lounge is usually quiet most of the time so it is good if you want to take your online class or are just trying to find a quiet place to study. It is also on the 4th floor, so it is on the quieter side compared to the 3rd floor.    

Feel free to visit the INTO Lounge anytime!   

By Valezka Laine

Best Places to Study on Campus

The best place to study is on campus. As for me, I use different locations for studying; for instance, I used a computer lab in the Law School to complete my online certification, which is available from computers only in Labs. Also, I use study rooms in the Law school because there are few people around, and there is a beautiful view of the city. Also, it is very quiet. One of the advantages of the Law school is that it is open till midnight, so you can stay late to do your task.  

  

I can find my Professors in the Law school and ask questions about my courses, and there are some open spaces to do your homework. In addition, there is the office of my Academic Advisor in the Law School; often, I need to meet my Advisor to ask some registration or program questions.  

  

Also, Suffolk Library is a good place. There are a lot of study rooms and my friends with whom I could do team projects.  

  

There is no specific place I like the most, but I think Law School and Suffolk Library are good enough for me! 

By Alex Zakharau

By Aqil Legopranowo

Shopping in Boston

If you are wondering where to find clothing and restaurants that are fancy or semi-affordable, then Newbury Street and Boylston is the place for you. Newbury Street is situated in the Back Bay area of Boston from the east of the Boston Public Garden to the west of Brookline Avenue. Boylston Street begins in Boston’s Chinatown neighborhood and ends in Fenway.

These places have iconic brands, from Uniqlo to Nike, in the area where you can window-shop while walking, as the shops are surrounded by European brick houses that fit the aesthetic area. Within the streets, there are plenty of restaurant locations where you can stop by and try, ranging from delicacies such as burger joints like Shake Shack that new goers can try.

During the summertime, around August and September, on Sundays, the road closes to vehicles to allow pedestrians the opportunity to use the entire width of the street from Arlington Street to Massachusetts Avenue. So there are plenty of places to look around Newbury’s streets and Boylston’s streets to see and shop!

Boston vs. New York City’s Shopping Scene

Speaking of shopping, the most destinate place for the shopaholic is New York City. Soho is where people gather the most, not only on the weekend but also during the weekdays, as there are various types of stores in Soho, from luxury brands to streetwear.

On the other hand, Boston is a city of education. Even though the shops here are less varied than in New York, there are many options for people to shop. However, the tax in Boston is much cheaper than in New York City. The stores may be smaller than in New York, but it is perfect for students to shop. Having a little store to shop in is not a big deal as we can do online shopping, so when we want to buy something that is not available in Boston, we can get it online.  

By Elsie Charoenpol

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INTO Times Upcoming Events December 22

Block Buster Hits:

Avatar, The Way of Water

The sequal to James Cameron’s 2009 hit, Avatar, the way of water, begins over a decade after the original. Join INTO as we watch Jake Sully and Ney’tiri, who have formed a family and are doing everything to stay together. However, they must leave their home and explore the regions of Pandora. When an ancient threat resurfaces, Jake must fight a difficult war against the humans.

December 20th, 2022

Pre Registration is required. Click Here to reserve your spot!

The Holiday Market at Snowport in Boston’s Seaport District

 

Join us at 73 Tremont as we walk over to the Snowport Holiday Market. This location is the perfect place to get your friends, family, or yourself something special and one of a kind.

In its second season, The Holiday Market at Snowport moves down the block from its inaugural home in order to double in size. The market features 120+ makers, a tree market for all your evergreen needs, more food than ever before, with a custom cocktail bar from Tuscan Kitchen, and festive decor including a mistletoe arch, and winter wish wall.They may be small, but local businesses bring our community to life in a big way

December 22nd, 2022

Pre Registration is required. Click Here to reserve your spot!

INTO Suffolk Goes to Boston’s First Night

 

Join us in taking part in this local staple of Boston’s culture. Enjoy the wonderful ice sculptures, performances, and of course fireworks. We will be meeting in the lobby of 73 Tremont Street at 6pm, make sure to dress warm, as much of the action is outside, and be on time so that we dont miss anything!

Pre Registration for this event is required. Click here to register!

 

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INTO Times Editorials December 22

By Rachel Emelock

As it gets colder, many students feel the brisk Boston air and decide it’s time for a change of scenery. Whether that means traveling abroad or to warmer destinations over the winter break, getting away from the city can be a great way to relax and recharge after the fall semester. 

When you’re traveling out of Boston, you have so many options for transportation, destinations, and activities.

When you’re traveling out of Boston, you have so many options for transportation, destinations, and activities. If you’re planning to head home or abroad, stop by the INTO Suffolk Center on the 4th floor of 73 Tremont St so you can get your travel signature on your i20. INTO is having a Travel Signature drop-off day on December 5th and 6th, so you can drop off your i20 to be signed and pick it up later that week! 

Boston is, luckily, a transportation hub. We have an international airport, regional and national train stations, and bus stations. Your transportation options are endless, but here are some bits of local Bostonian knowledge for you when it comes to your transportation options. First and foremost, flying to New York City is cheaper than taking the train on paper. However, any local you speak with will tell you not to fly to New York City. It is more convenient and actually cheaper to take the Amtrak from South Station or Back Bay or even to take a bus. This is because none of the NYC airports are actually in NYC, and you will need to pay additional fees to take an Uber or public transport to arrive in the city. The time from the airport to the city can also negate the price of a flight to the city as you can wait hours in traffic from JFK Airport to Manhattan. 

When going to New York, take the Amtrak or bus, as both will take you directly to Penn Station in Manhattan. You can reserve direct Amtrak train seats with bathrooms, Wi-Fi, and a snack bar. The coach buses you can take to NYC also have restrooms and Wi-Fi, though they may take longer than the train if they hit traffic outside the city. Either way, these options are easier than flying into New York City for a weekend. 

If you plan to rent a car with a group of friends for a road trip, be aware that there can be many hidden fees, especially if the primary driver is under 25 years old. All rental car companies in the US will add an additional $50 per day for a rental if the primary driver is under 25 years old. They may also require renters to pay an additional insurance fee. Check these in your reservation before arriving at the rental car company; they will be listed there. If it’s you’re first time driving in the US, check with the Student Experience team for some extra tips and tricks for driving in the USA. 

Many students have asked us what to do over Winter Break because they’re not going home. So we have some special places that we’d like to share with you to explore, either on your own or with us. As you can see in the December Events Calendar, we have a couple of activities planned, such as seeing James Cameron’s Avatar: The Way Of Water, visiting Seaport to go to the Snowport Holiday Market, and experiencing Boston’s First Night on New Year’s Eve. Here are some of the INTO Suffolk’s Staff picks: 

Susie recommends visiting Faneuil Hall. Not only do they have a variety of food options, but there are also shops to explore, and the Christmas tree is one of the biggest in the city. 

Ann recommends walking down Commonwealth Ave to experience all the lights and beauty of the old buildings. 

The Peer Leadership Council is interested in bringing students to Zoolights at the Stone Zoo in Stoneham. It is a truly magical experience that many locals know about, but few visitors do. 

Rachel recommends visiting L.A. Burdick’s Chocolates at their location off Newbury Street, getting some hot drinking chocolate, and walking down Beacon street towards the Boston Public Library. There are often winter markets and vendors outside the library at the Copley Square Christmas tree. 

Kristine recommends getting tickets to the Holiday Pops Concert at Symphony Hall. The Boston Symphony Orchestra will be “performing festive favorites from cultural traditions around the world.”  

Emma highly recommends visiting Fenway Park to go ice skating at the Rink at 401 Park. They have discounted prices for students. You can even sign up for ice skating lessons, ice flow yoga, or broomball! 

Do you agree? Disagree? Comment here!

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Get out of Boston: Lowell, MA

– October 29, 2022

 

To continue our series of visiting cities in Massachusetts that have significantly impacted American history and culture, we are traveling to Lowell, MA at the end of October. Many students have asked why Lowell? The answer is simple; the city of Lowell is the birthplace of modern America.

Before the 1850s, the American economy was dominated by agriculture and individual trade guilds that produced many of the everyday items people used. The American economy became industrialized with the introduction of machines to produce these goods. This industrial revolution became the backbone of the Massachusetts economy, with its center in Lowell’s textile mills.

Since this time, Lowell’s influence on industry and innovation in the US has only increased. The city has become an urban hub of technological startups, global cuisine, and business innovation.

We hope you join us in our exploration of this continuously evolving city on October 29th!

Boardgame Tournament: Taboo

– November 16, 2022

 

Are you looking to meet other students and make new friends? Joining us for our Taboo game night is the perfect place to start! Although the word taboo means something that is a forbidden behavior, the boardgame Taboo is a great and exciting way to instantly have fun with others and make new friends.

Taboo is a guessing game where players try to say the word on their teammate’s card without using the target word or the helper words on their card. The reason we call this game Taboo is because the players are forbidden to say the target word on their card, like how a taboo is forbidden. Teams try to guess as many target words as they can in their turn. For each target word guessed, they receive a point. The team that has the most points win the game!

This event is co-hosted by the First Gen program at Suffolk University. First Gen promotes and supports students who are the first in their family to attend university. We hope you’ll be able to join us for this fun boardgame tournament on November 16th!

INTO Family Thanksgiving

– November 22, 2022

 

What do food, family and friends, and football all have in common? They all are major aspects of Thanksgiving – one of the most celebrated holidays in the United States! Thanksgiving takes place on the last Thursday in November every year. On this day, Americans gather with family and friends to give thanks for all the positive things that have happened in the past year. This holiday is especially important for college students, as it marks the beginning of the fall break period from November 23rd to November 27th, in which many students typically travel home for the holiday.

Because many of our students are unable to visit their families during this break, we at INTO want to give you all the opportunity to celebrate this holiday with your INTO family and friends! We are hosting a family thanksgiving in the INTO Suffolk center where you can enjoy the delicious, traditional foods of an American Thanksgiving including turkey, mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, and pie. We might even have a few surprises in store for the party, so be sure to stop by!

 

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