Now that the weather is getting nicer, there’s a lot to do around Boston. Although our bank accounts struggle because we are students, we do get an advantage because of that very status. There are always discounts for students available throughout the city. Whether you’re volunteering for a cause you’re passionate about or taking a tour of the city, the possibilities are endless! We have a lot in front of us, even if we don’t always notice it. Here are some of those things:
1. The Boston Night Market: 4 p.m. to 11 p.m., May 11, Boston City Hall Plaza
Kick off the beautiful weather with food, games and prizes! This is a great way to meet other people in the community, have some snacks and enjoy yourself! There’s music, local artists selling their products, drinks (if you’re of age, of course) and a million different things to do. Tickets are now $8 each for the early bird special, so get them while you can! You can find out more information on this event’s Facebook page.
2. Visit a Petting Zoo
At the University of Massachusetts Boston, we have an advantage as students and staff to get discounted tickets to a lot of nearby attractions. One that’s perfect for the springtime is the Stone Zoo. For $8 a ticket, you can make a day trip out of this! Enjoy the weather, pet some animals as you take a break from your studies.
3. The Japan Festival Boston: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., April 27–28, The Boston Common
This year, they are hosting the annual Japan Festival in The Boston Common for two full days! They’ll have authentic Japanese food, fun games, and a culture you may have never been able to experience before! This is a great opportunity to broaden your horizons and meet people, all while enjoying the sun! They’ll have anime booths, workshops, silent auctions and more! This is definitely a popular event as 14,000 people have marked that they’re ‘interested’ on the event’s Facebook page. With that said, plan ahead now!
4. Volunteer Work
Although this might not be your first idea, it’s a really great thing to do every once in a while. It’s rewarding to make a difference in a subject you are passionate about. There’s a ton of different opportunities to volunteer around Boston. That’s the great part about living in a city: you can always find a community! Something that might be interesting would be working with an animal shelter or something to do with the Boston Harbor. We’re so lucky to have the location we do for our campus, so working with groups on the water is very convenient. An organization called “Save the Bay, Save the Harbor” collects trash around the Boston Harbor. Along with this, we have a ton of clubs on UMBeInvolved.com that deal with things much broader than just the water! Whatever your interest is, you have the accessibility to bond over it with your fellow classmates.
It’s easy to find events around Boston! There’s always something going on; you just have to look for it. The more people you meet, clubs you join and friends you make, the more you’ll know about what’s happening on and off campus and be able to get involved!