Hult reviews: The best of Boston’s student life

With its prestigious universities, world-class sports teams, and reputation for thought leadership, Boston has long been a choice study destination for students from all over the world. And with a student population in excess of 250,000, there’s never a shortage of student-friendly things to do, whatever your interests or background.

Hult International Business school, whose roots trace back to EF’s founder Bertil Hult, has six campuses, with the largest nestled in the center of Boston. Now home to students of over 150 nationalities, Hult Boston is a global hub for students seeking to hone their business knowledge while living the American dream.

For the international perspective, we’ve asked four ambitious Hult students from around the world to help us review the best of Boston and give you the insider’s scoop on some of the city’s biggest highlights—from the best restaurants to the city’s most exciting attractions.

Meet our student reviewers:

Susana – Mexican, MBA, Class of 2017, 30 years old

Shivam – Indian, Masters of International Business student with a dual degree in Masters of International Finance, Class of 2018, 23 years old

Nick – German, Masters in International Business, Class of 2018, 23 years old

Karolina – Portuguese, Masters in International Business, Class of 2018, 25 years old

The best place for a quick bite to eat

Blaze Pizza

Blaze Pizza serves up its fast, fresh signature pizzas on a student budget. There are a few locations around the city and one right by our Boston campus, making it a great reward after class.

Susana: “At Blaze Pizza you can build your own artisanal pizza with whatever ingredients you want.”
Shivam: “Their thin crust pizza is the best, and you can top it with your choice of veggies and meat—all at a really affordable price.

Lingo Cafe and Bar

A clear favorite among Hult students, Lingo offers up globally inspired cuisine with daily buffet specials, salads, and sandwiches. If you’re an international student missing comfort food from home, you may just find it here.

Nick: “If I know I need a quick lunch, the best option is Lingo for sure!”
Karolina: “I may be biased, but their salad bar is incredible!”

Where to go for a special meal or indulgent treat

The Barking Crab

Boston has earned its reputation for top-notch seafood, and what better way to enjoy it than at a waterside restaurant? The Barking Crab is laid-back and lively, serving generous portions of the freshest crab, lobster, and award-winning New England clam chowder.

Susana: “The Barking Crab is one of my favorites. You can’t beat the opportunity to eat seafood with a perfect view of the Boston Harbor.”

Mike’s Pastry

If you’re in need of a sweet treat in Boston, look no further. Mike’s Pastry is the go-to spot for delicious homemade cookies, pastries, and traditional Italian cannoli.

Karolina: “The cannolis at Mike’s Pastry are so good that they’re even worth skipping lunch for!”

How to spend a Saturday in Boston

Discovering the city’s charming streets

One of the reasons students love Boston is how easy it is to get around without a car. You can explore the downtown area on foot, while the city’s charming neighborhoods are easily accessible via public transport. Whether you’d like to spend the day browsing shops and galleries or want to discover a new favorite cafe, wandering the city’s quaint streets always reveals something new.

Susana: “On a Saturday, definitely take a walk around Newbury Street. It’s located in Back Bay, which is one of Boston’s most chic shopping neighborhoods. You can find galleries, boutiques, and delicious restaurants.”

Karolina: “Faneuil Hall is the best place to spend a Saturday. The area isn’t overwhelmingly big, but yet every time I go there I find a new street or activity to explore. It’s the most charming!”

Shivam: “I like Faneuil Hall Marketplace for shopping, eating and enjoying showcases by local artists.”

Exploring the museums

Whether you’re a history buff, an art enthusiast, or interested in the natural world, you’ll have no trouble spending a Saturday exploring Boston’s world-class museums. Added bonus: many offer great student discounts.

Nick: “Best place to spend a Saturday? The Museum of Science.”

The best tourist attraction (even for locals)

Taking a Duck Tour

If you want to literally immerse yourself in Boston’s rich history, there are few better ways to do it than on a Duck Tour. You’ll see the city in a WWII-style amphibious vehicle, which takes you through the city by road before splashing straight into the Charles River! Your guide will point out the famous sites while sharing interesting facts about Boston past and present.

Shivam: “It’s worth taking a Duck Tour. Take the ones that start from the Science Museum—it’s the best way to impress visitors because the tours take you around all the famous sights in Boston.”

Catching a game

Whether you’re studying in Boston or just here for a visit, it’s easy to get swept up in the city’s passion for sports. Boston is home to many world-renowned professional sports teams, including the Red Sox (baseball), the New England Patriots (American football), the Celtics (basketball), and the Bruins (ice hockey).

Karolina: “Red Sox games at Fenway Park never get old! The vibe and atmosphere are contagious! Plus, pick a random sports bar during Sunday NFL games and you’ll definitely feel like a local. By the end of the game, you’ll be the Patriot’s number one fan!”

Boston’s best-kept secret

The Cambridge Center Roof Garden

What better secret destination than a surprising secret garden? For a busy student in Boston, the rooftop garden at the Cambridge Centre is a lovely oasis of calm with wonderful views of the city. It’s a great place to read, eat a picnic, or just chill out between classes.

Shivam: “The Cambridge Center Roof Garden, smack in the middle of Kendall Square, is small but beautiful. It’s an escape for Boston urbanites looking for a little respite.”

Piers Park

It’s difficult to tire of Boston’s beautiful skyline, and Piers Park overlooking the inner harbor is the perfect place to take it all in. On a summer’s day you can enjoy watching the sailboats come and go while soaking up the sun.

Karolina: “Piers Park has the most amazing view of the Boston skyline and it is breathtaking at any hour of the day.”

Bonus tip: The best place for a non-native speaker to practice English

Hult students come to Boston from all over the world. For most of them, English isn’t their first language. When we asked our students the best place to get practice, most of them agreed that speaking English with other international students can be a big help. As Susana points out, “At Hult, you have the opportunity to talk in English with your peers and friends from different nationalities.”

Immersing yourself in an English-speaking city is definitely one of the fastest ways to gain confidence in your language skills. Our students were quick to note how naturally friendly Bostonians can be, making it easier to strike up a conversation. Karolina shared this great tip for English language learners in Boston:

“Walk into any coffee shop and talk to the locals! They will make you feel very welcome and it will help you practice your English. If you get lucky, you’ll pick up some words with the Boston accent!”