Life at BU

More new experiences await on BU’s campus and in Boston than you can imagine. Here are some resources to make the most of your time at BU and get your adventures started.

Housing

On Campus

Living on campus gives you the full university experience, and your residence hall is an excellent place to make friends with fellow students. In fact, freshmen and full-tuition scholarship awardees are required to live on campus.

Graduate Students

Residence halls are for undergraduates only, but graduate students can still apply to live on campus in BU’s apartments. You can explore off campus options below.

Off Campus

If you’re a graduate student or a sophomore, junior, or senior, you can choose to live off campus. BU’s Off Campus Services has listings for nearby rental properties and a rent comparison chart. They can also help you find a roommate to share living costs. Explore nearby neighborhoods to help you choose an apartment.

Dining

Food is one of the defining characteristics of any culture. At BU, you can experience American food, of course, but you also have a chance to try foods from around the world. From dining options in the residence halls to restaurants on campus and throughout Boston, there is a wide variety to taste. There are special events during the year, such as the annual Thanksgiving meal.

Student Life

The university is a place to study, but also where you’ll make lifelong friends and connect with future colleagues. Sometimes it can be hard to get to know other students outside of class. You can join a student group, attend an event at the Howard Thurman Center, or check in with the Dean of Students to see what’s going on around campus. Join groups like Alianza Latina to connect with other students from outside the US.

Student groups can also be a great place to start your Boston exploration with some new friends. Try one that organizes trips into the city, like Habitat For Humanity, or out into nature, like the Outing Club.

Health, Fitness, and Sports

Baseball may be the “great American pastime,”—and you should catch a Red Sox game at Fenway while you’re here—but at BU there are many other sports and activities to enjoy.

Watch BU athletes compete—many of them are national champions, see if you qualify to play for BU, or join an intramural sport.

We have exercise and dance classes, recreation and athletics clubs, and state-of-the-art fitness facilities.

Tips From International Students

For any student, college is an adjustment, but it’s especially true for international students who must adapt to a new culture and, in some instances, a new language, all while finding their way around campus and learning to live in an unfamiliar city. BU Today reached out to more than a dozen international students who are upperclassmen. They were asked to reflect on their own experiences and share some suggestions for settling in. Hear what they had to say.

Immunization, Health Insurance, & Medical Care

International students must meet some specific requirements related to proof of immunizations and medical insurance coverage. More than just legal requirements, these measures make sure you stay healthy and happy while at BU.

Immunizations

Before classes start, you must submit a health form and Certificate of Immunization to Student Health Services. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts requires immunizations to be completed prior to enrollment.

Medical Insurance

Massachusetts law requires all full-time students students to have medical insurance. Students who can not demonstrate coverage under a qualifying medical insurance plan are required to purchase the University’s student health insurance plan, which meets Massachusetts law requirements and is competitively priced.