While being one of the oldest cities in the United States, Boston is renowned for its vibrancy, where old world meets new world. It is a city that is not too big and not too small. The city centre is not like a goldfish bowl compared to the madness of New York and this will feel like your home from home. The city is loaded with cultural activities, educational institutes and history. If you are looking to have a good summer, packed full of entertainment, variety and fellow J1'ers then Boston could be the city for you.

Towns such as Brighton feel like you walked through a portal and ended up back in Ireland. This is great especially if you're feeling homesick but if you want to broaden your horizons and experience more of the American culture, Boston also has a lot to offer.

Boston is a "cool place" where films such as The Departed, The Town, and Good Will Hunting were filmed and shopping, bars, restaurants, and clubs are all within walking distance or by the T-line which is an underground and over ground tram service (good idea to purchase the t-card!).

The restaurant scene is delicious and dynamic. Select from Boston's four-star restaurants to neighbourhood bistros, from contemporary cuisine to traditional New England dishes.

Climate: Boston experiences a continental climate that is very common in New England with prevailing wind patterns that blow offshore, minimizing the influence of the Atlantic Ocean. Summers are typically hot and humid so you will definitely need to pack the sun cream!

Culture: Boston shares many cultural roots with greater New England, including an accent known as Boston English, and a regional cuisine with a love for seafood, rum, tobacco, salt, and dairy products. Irish Americans have been a major influence on Boston's politics and religious institutions. Boston also is famous for having its own slang!

Time difference: Boston is approximately 5 hours behind Irish time

Transportation: Boston has one of the highest population rates for the walking traveller! So walking is really common but there is also a great resourse of public transportation! For more information on public transportation in Boston checkout:
http://www.searchboston.com/dir/Transportation/Public_Transportation/

If you are going to Boston on your J1 , a very good contact for jobs and accommodation is the Irish Immigration Centre. This is a non profit organisation that helps Irish people get set up in Boston. Contact them on 617-542-7654 or pop into their office located at 59 Temple Place, 10th Floor. Take the green line T to Park Street.

There are usually plenty of available apartments and houses to rent close to the city centre in places like Cleveland Circle, Allston, and Fenway.

Accommodation may also be available in student accommodation as the attendees of prestigious universities Harvard and M.I.T vacate their premises for the summer holidays

With the high volumes of tourists going to Boston every year a lot of students end up working in the hospitality industry.

If you do get a start in the bar/restaurant trade, be warned that the wages may be low and that you will be relying solely on tips so make sure to make great use of your Irish accent to charm the American natives.

http://www.bostonpic.org/employer/summerjobs.htm
http://www.groovejob.com
http://www.jobfind.com
http://www.Boston.com/jobs
http://www.collegegrad.com/job/summerjobsinboston.shtml
http://www.preferredtemps.com/
http://boston.com/classifieds/
http://boston.craigslist.org/
http://www.Bostonjobs.com
http://www.Bostonapartments.com
http://www.Bostonforrent.com

Remember Boston is a University town so accommodation around the colleges should be more affordable than in the city! This is because a lot of students return home for the summer and often sublet their accommodation so they don’t loose it for the next semester! Also be sure to check the local newspapers, any college message boards & internet café message boards!!

Boston College 617-552-8000
Boston University 617-353-2300
Emerson College 617-824-8500
Harvard University 617-495-1000
Lesley University 617-868-9600
Mass College of Art 617-232-1555
MIT 617-258-5515
University of Mass 617-287-5000

Gay Pride Parade in May or June, Harbourfest in July, 4th of July Celebration on the Esplanade, Falmouth Road Race in August, Boston Symphony Orchestra, and Fall Foliage in September and October.

To keep your self up dated on the latest concerts be sure to check:

http://www.coasttocoasttickets.com/buy/boston_ma.htm?EVENT_TYPE=CONCERT#200805
or
http://www.ticketmaster.com

In the U.S.A the legal age to get into pubs & clubs is 21! So if you are eligible Student bars and clubs are over the river in Cambridge around Harvard and MIT!!!

There are loads of places to go out in Boston and the atmosphere in the city can be electric in particularly when one of the sports teams are playing the pubs around Fenway Park always attracts great crowds such as "Game On" and "Cask and Flagon's".

Fanueil Hall is probably the no.1 spot for nights out in Boston and this is where you will find a replica of the "Cheers" bar from the famous comedy program "Cheers".

There are plenty of nightclubs and bars here and you should expect a lively atmosphere.

For more Pubs and Clubs check out this website:
http://www.slashfood.com/2006/10/26/a-guide-to-boston-bars-for-college-students/

Cape Cod is just an easy one and a half hour drive from Boston. It is known for its quaint style, sand dunes, natural settings, beautiful beaches and fabulous sunsets. On the way, make a stop at Plymouth Rock.

Visit the Harbour Islands, Just a short ferry ride from the city! Boston Harbour Islands are the country's newest National Park, composed of 34 islands. Visitors can enjoy swimming, boating, island tours, hiking, fishing and bird watching.

Want to go to a Sporting Event?! In Boston, enthusiasm for sports is vital to the city's character. Fans are especially fond of Fenway Park, home of the 2004 World Champion Boston Red Socks. If you are interested in a Baseball game be sure to book your tickets early!! The Boston Marathon, held each April on Patriots' Day, remains one of the most prestigious sporting events in the world.

Harvard Square: Where else can you find awestruck tourists, angry teenagers, over 300 registered street performers, and countless other acts---all on the same block?

The above tips provided by Go4Less are intended as a guide only. Go4Less accepts no responsibility for any jobs or housing accepted by students through these resources.