As we roll through our spring term, many of us in the NEU CPS program have questions about the summer residency experience. Some are curriculum related while others center on logistics.
If you have already been through a Summer Residency, I encourage you to pass on any pearls of wisdom you might have to those who come behind you. So on that note, let me thank you in advance for paying it forward!
Sincerely,
Bud Baker
Boston is great!! I do not like big cities but Boston was wonderful last summer, I can't wait to go back this summer!! I am going to take Organizational Systems & Institutional Governance the first week. Last year I took Postsecondary & Institutional Public Policy which was a great class! I would recommend it! I stayed in the dorms last year. Hotels are very expensive in Boston so if you don't have a couple thousand dollars for a room for two weeks then you might want to consider staying in the dorms. The rooms are very small and sparse and you share a bathroom with your neighbor but it is for a short time and only $385 per week. The week will fly by. If you fly into the Boston airport you can take the train to the college campus. Buy a week long pass for the train, not very much like $10 or so, because you will ride the train to go see the city a bit. Overall I had a great time last summer and I met some great students and Professors.
ReplyDeleteI live North of Boston and will help anyone I can with advice...I am driving in daily (25 minute ride) to campus with some other locals. My concern is the required Saturday and Sunday components and the quality of the learning experience- is it just required to make the program look better or is it worthwhile. I am thinking I may prefer just heading in Wednesdays during the school year so I can avoid the fluff.
ReplyDeleteBud-thanks for putting up this blog!
What would you advise students to take besides their laptop? Reading lamp? Small fridge? Are the dorm rooms wired for Internet?
ReplyDeleteIf you are a Boston area student, please know that you will be expected to do group projects with classmates every day after class so please do not plan to go back to work after class and abandon your out of town classmates. Also, if you are an out of town student do not plan to bring your family and become a Boston tourist after class.
ReplyDeleteLast summer, during the second residency session, one student were forced to do the entire group project by herself. The entire group got a bad grade on the project and looked really bad when they had to present their project on Friday morning to the class and invited guests. Last summer, I was also kept so busy during my residency that the only tourist attraction that I saw was the NEU library. However, I understand that for some reason, the first residency week session was not as intensive.
@Bud no a small fridge is not allowed nor will you have room for it. If we are housed in the same dorms again, they are small and remind of small prison cells. They are however pretty new but I guess that they must have outsourced the design to a third world country. :-) Almost forgot, you should bring a nice bath towel, portable mirror and perhaps a pillow if you have room in your luggage.
ReplyDeleteThis is great info! Thanks for paying forward these pearls of wisdom!
ReplyDeleteWhat about groceries, especially breakfast items? Should I bring a coffee maker?
Bring some "snack" food (protein bars etc), as everything is quite expensive. While there are dunkin donuts in several building, a starbucks and Curry Student Center (with several places to eat), having a quick something "in house" is advised.
ReplyDeleteDo take a quick trip to the local "grocery" store for your needs (just past the green line) upon your arrival. There is a bit of everything there.
Bring hangars. There is a store "space" for your clothing, but nothing to hang them on.
For those that are not used to the city, keep in mind it is alive 24 hours a day, and the outside world will encroach on your sleep time; bring headphones/eye mask if you need quiet and dark to sleep.
There is much to see and do in Boston, so plan ahead to bring some spending money. While the intensity of group work will vary, do try to venture out at least once ~ after all, it enhances camaraderie and the overall experiences.
Bud, yes the dorms rooms are wired for Internet.
ReplyDeleteAll great info. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteJust got the email! We can register on March 7....I am now officially terrified of summer residency. I am commuting and expect to be there all day, but had hoped to be able to go home at 6! I also found out the class begins online and ends online and meets for one intensive week. I may be better off to drive in on Wed evenings and take a class than do this intensive one week since I live so close. Hmmm....thanks for the wisdom. nycrican2 - thank you!
ReplyDelete@Lytania You are welcome. As far as taking two hybrid classes instead of two residencies, that is also allowed. However, make sure that the location of the class states Boston. If the class meets at another location, it will not count towards a residency. Some of the hybrid classes meet at local Boston area public schools because they are for special cohorts of students who work in the public k-12 Boston school system. From what I understand, our program has eliminated the cohort option expect for students whom are already enrolled in one now.
ReplyDeleteJust wanted to add that the cafeteria that the students use for a regular dorm meal plan is not open during the weeks that we will be there. However, you will be able to have lunch at the student center near the NU library which has a food court. Also, on the walk to class, there is a great little stand that sells breakfast sandwiches similar to an Egg MacMuffin and fruit juices. I bought one every morning and ate it on the walk to class last summer.
ReplyDeleteBrilliant! This is great info, thanks for sharing. I just bought a Keurig coffee maker. With a few breakfast sandwiches, I should be all set!
ReplyDeleteCan anyone speak to the dress code for summer residency?
ReplyDeleteDress code is casual,jeans and t-shirts are the norm. Personally, last summer I had fun wearing Northeastern t-shirts.
ReplyDelete