Living in Boston - Piano Row

My freshman year I was placed in a learning community in Piano Row, one of the newer residence halls on campus. A learning community is sort of Emerson's version of themed living -- they're specific floors where students live who share not necessarily a common major, but a common area of interest. I lived on the 'Writer's Block,' an admittedly awful name, but truly a nice place to live. We held workshops on our floor a few times a week to critique each others' writing, and went out into Boston to see writers like Chuck Klosterman give readings.

I lived there for only one year, back when sophomores had the option of moving off campus. I got an apartment with a few friends in Beacon Hill, a 10 minute walk from school. I wasn't in any hurry to move off campus, but my friends were set to go and asked if I'd care to join them. I also thought it would be cool to spend some of the summer in Boston, and their lease started in June. So I jumped on board.

Back on campus: Piano Row itself pretty swank. The rooms are basically mini-apartments with small sinks, space for microwaves and mini-fridges; 60 channels of cable, wireless Internet, yadda yadda yadda. The danger, in fact, is that you have all your basic needs so well met you could actually never leave. So make sure you shut down the electronics a few days each week and see a little of Boston outside your dorm room.