Moving from OAK -> BOS 

By: SSG Kyla Ye

As a second-year student who spent her first year on Northeastern’s Oakland campus, the transition to the Boston campus has certainly been of note. Keep reading for my NUBound Oakland experience, what the shift to the Boston campus has been like, and tips for those in the same boat as me to make the change smoother! 

When I was first going to the Oakland campus, I had no idea what to expect. Though there was definitely adapting that was needed, I ended up overall being really grateful for my experience there. To start, the campus was beautiful and so full of nature. The library had a glass wall where you could look into the trees and it was so comforting. Classes were a lot smaller than on the Boston campus, so classes were more tight-knit and it was easier to get to know other students and your professors. In turn, office hours were also readily available. Housing was one of my favorite parts about the campus as I had a spacious single with a sink and a balcony. There wasn’t as much variety as the Boston campus in terms of dining, but there was a cozy cafe with delicious drinks to buy with your dining dollars, and the main dining hall had a diverse menu they would often switch up. There were clubs like Wheel Crew for skateboarders and roller-skaters, as well as other clubs related to community service and other interests. The gym had free weekly classes for things like kickboxing and spin. I loved that the school put so much effort into organizing events for the weekends, whether it be free outings to San Francisco or kayaking or free weekend excursions to places like Lake Tahoe for skiing or Yosemite National Park. Lastly, another one of my favorite things about being on the Oakland campus was getting to go out to the city with my friends every weekend. There were so many cool places to eat and spend time at like Japantown, Berkeley, or Union Square.  

For me, moving to the Boston campus was a little overwhelming at first. Whereas in Oakland we would go to the city, here we were already in the city. Though I had always preferred being in more of a city environment, it still took some getting used to after being in Oakland for a year. Classes were big, office hours had queues, dorm rooms were smaller, there were countless clubs, and so much more. Sometimes it felt harder to make friends because you felt like everyone had already formed their friend groups, and switching campuses felt like starting over in a way. And though there are still days when these feelings hit harder, I’d say that I have comfortably settled in now. With that being said, there are a few things I would recommend in terms of switching to the Boston campus! 

1. Take it slow 
   • It’s okay to feel unaccustomed at first! Familiarize yourself with the environment and lean on your comfort people like your friends from your previous campus so you aren’t too overwhelmed. Make your space more comfortable for you by decorating your dorm etc.! 
2. Get to know people 
   • Though it may feel unnerving trying to make friends after moving campuses, do your best to put yourself out there and become part of the local community! One of the best ways to do this is by joining clubs where you will already share an interest with other members. Northeastern has so many clubs to offer from skiing clubs to robotics clubs to cultural clubs and more. 
3. Explore 
   • When you’re feeling more settled in, go out and explore! Make a list of places and restaurants you’d like to visit. Some recommendations are Chinatown, Prudential Center, Fenway, and Newbury Street! 

Good luck and have fun!! 🙂