Finding the Rhythm of the City

Finding Your Beat in the Unknown 

By Gabrielle Alcindor

Graphic by Katie King

I grew up in the heart of New York City, where the rhythm never slows and the streets hum with energy. People often call it one of the greatest cities in the world — but to me, it’s just home. 

It wasn’t until I moved to Boston for college that the quiet thought that “They might have been right” crept into my mind. Suddenly, the fast-paced MTA subway was replaced by the choo-choo of the Green Line Trolley. The city that never sleeps gave way to one that is tucked in by 10 p.m. It truly is the subtle changes — quieter nights, the slower pace — that startle you the most.

But I am not the only one who has experienced this. Moving to a new city for college is an experience that hundreds of thousands of people experience for the first time every year. At BU, approximately 72% of students are from out of state, and about 22% international students, according to a 2022 student census. 

Walking down Commonwealth Avenue, I pass by dozens of students, each coming from different corners of the world and building a unique story to tell. The way you experience life is all a matter of perspective, and moving to college is no exception. Boston is loved by some and disliked by others. 

For some students, like Amani Malika, a sophomore from Haverhill, MA, coming to Boston from a small town was liberating. Malika finds living in the city freeing. He described feeling “stuck” at home, with the only mode of reliable transportation being his car. In Boston, he can commute anywhere. In contrast, Marley King, a sophomore from New York City, feels that Boston is a “downgrade” because of its smaller, calmer feel. King says she “noticed some clear differences in the way that Boston and New York function,” but still appreciates the diversity and culture that can be discovered in the greater Boston area. 

There is no tutorial on how to adjust to an unfamiliar environment. The best approach is to dive in; throw yourself into the deep end and see where you will surface. In a place like Boston, no matter where you’ve come from, finding your community and taking advantage of every opportunity available to you will help you stay afloat. The most important rhythm to follow is your own. In this exciting, and somewhat overwhelming chapter, staying true to you is what helps you navigate the noise and find your place in the city’s beat.