Right now I’m in the middle of my second year of writing my PhD dissertation, with a couple more years left to go. It’s an “International Doctorate” program, which means that I have to do at least a three-month stay to work on my thesis with someone in a non-Spanish University. Such stay is usually done in the third or fourth (school) year. Luckily, my PhD advisor has some co-authors in great universities in the US, so – as you’ve probably guessed – I’m headed to… Boston!
I still don’t have the final dates yet, but the idea is for me to spend next fall term there. I’ll travel at the end of August and stay there until December or January, depending on funding. As of right now, Andoni doesn’t have a job, so he’ll come with me unless he finds one (we have 50% unemployment rate among young people here in Spain right now… the economic situation is pretty bad). We’re very very excited about this opportunity, although this means we’ll have to complete all our 2013 list in less than eight months, hah.
Anyway, I’ve only ever been to Boston once and he’s never been there, so we’re really looking forward to it. I’ve already started looking at apartments in the Cambridge area because it’s best if I have a minimal commute. I’d appreciate some pointers on where to look for housing, because I’m having a hard time finding short term furnished apartment rentals. Maybe it’s too early?
Also, as you’ve probably noticed, I’ve changed the design of the blog. I was craving a cleaner, simpler look and I think this does the trick. Of course, I still have to tweak a lot of things around. Please tell me if you see anything wonky. And if you’re from the Boston/Cambridge area, I’d love to hear what you have to say! Some tips regarding how to survive the winter there? We’re planning on visiting NYC for a few days and also Niagara Falls/Toronto while we’re there, any other short visits we should consider?
Image from Time Travel.
Yay! This is super exciting! It will be great that Andoni can travel with you – 4 months apart would be hard I’m sure! I’ve never been to Boston so I don’t have any tips for you but Toronto and Niagara Falls are great spots!
I love the new design! Incidentally it’s very similar to what I sketched out for my redesign… a lot of the same colours too! haha.
Have a great weekend!
What a coincidence! Can’t wait to see it
And yeah, four months apart would be hard, but hopefully he’ll be able to come.
How exciting! Boston is my favourite American city. You guys will really enjoy it there
Yay! We can’t wait.
What a great opportunity. I have not been to Boston, but if I ever go I want to go on that city tour they have with arrows on the sidewalk to follow. Or so I have heard.
Love the new blog look. I switched mine up a bit too
That is just the way it goes with a new year, right 
I had never heard of such a tour! Sounds interesting.
Boston is cool! We went drove there for a long weekend a few years back and did all the tourist stuff. Nice design (I always liked your old one too)! I’m working on a new one too which I’ve been wanting to do forever but was scared of all the coding and unknown. I finally got the idea to make a test blog where I could play around (just started last night) so I didn’t have to worry about messing up the real blog!
If you want to have a blogger friend get together let me know! I don’t know how it’d work but it’d be fun! Oooh also, I don’t know if you could make it, but have you heard of the Haven Conference (for home/diy bloggers) in Atlanta from August 1-3. Maybe you could come there first, then go to Boston!
I hope Andoni finds a job but I hope you don’t have to be apart either!
Unfortunately I don’t think I’ll be able to go to the Haven Conference although I’d love to! I’d really like to do some blogger meetups while I’m there though. I have a feeling I’m going to be very very busy because I’m already planning so many things to do!
Boston is great. Definitely do the Freedom Trail (there’s a red line painted on the footpath that takes you to the main historical sites). If you want to see the USS Constitution and are sick of walking, you can take the MGH shuttle bus from North Station. In Cambridge, go to LA Burdick’s for hot chocolate and Christina’s for ice cream. Go skating at the Frog Pond. The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum has a beautiful indoor courtyard if you need some warmth and greenery in the middle of winter. I love the Mapparium, too. If you’re there for New Year’s Eve, First Night is fun. Bolt Bus is the nicest of the cheap buses to NYC that I’ve taken. It could be beautiful to drive to Toronto/Niagara Falls in fall when the foliage is changing colour throughout New England.
It’s probably too early to look for housing. I’d keep looking because you never know when places will be listed, but don’t panic if you don’t find anything before May. I always found craigslist the best, but also ask your contacts at the university you’ll be visiting if there are any housing resources for visiting scholars or if they can send out a request for a furnished sublet to a department listserv.
Thanks Lucy, this was so so helpful! I noticed that sublets for the Spring 2013 term started popping in their website barely a couple of weeks ago so yeah, I was pretty sure it’s too early. I’ll have to keep looking because I don’t want to leave it for the last minute!
If you do have a contact there you could write a little notice about yourself and the kind of sublet you’re looking for and ask them nicely to put it up on a department noticeboard (or in pigeonholes) – will there be people from the department there who will be studying abroad so you could ask to sublet their place?
What will happen to your flat if Andoni (such a lovely name!) comes with you? Could you post it on a flat swap website and swap with a Bostonite? Guess it’s a bit hard to plan without knowing what Andoni’s situation will be….
I hadn’t thought about a swap! I guess it would be hard to find someone to do the swap with though, because we’re looking for an apartment right next to the University there and ours here is not next to the city center at all, hah. But we’ve thought about renting it out if we can. You’re right though, it’s hard without knowing what Andoni’s situation will be…
Wow how exciting, a move overseas together.
BTW
I love your new design
I was meaning to ask you…. I have you in my “list” of blogs, but for some reason blogger does not detect an RSS feed from you (eventhough I do see the icon) and thus, your blog does not update on my list (that’s why sometimes I am late here with your posts). Do you have any idea how I could fix that?
Oh no! I’ll have to look into that. The RSS icon you see is for Feedburner so that might be one of the reasons. I’ll let you know!
Qué divertido Ainhoa, siempre quise conocer Boston! Exitos para vos y Andoni también. Besos!
Muchas gracias Manu!
The blog looks great! I am in major need of some changes also.
I have only been to Boston twice, but I know it’s a great city! You guys are going to have a great time =)
I’m glad you like it Kelly!
Oh – that’s so exciting!! Would you be able to get temporary housing through the university (sometimes they’ll offer that)? Sadly, I have no tips for Boston since I’ve only been once but I have lots of things to do in NY if you’re going to plan a weekend trip
Yeah I’ve already started looking at the University’s Real State listings but I think it’s too early. I’ll definitely ask you for tips regarding NY!
Really like the new theme.
Boston is a beautiful city! We’ve been there many times and I have a lot of family there. Known for it’s Irish and Italian heritage. The winters are pretty cold, but not like Canada cold. Just be prepared for 3′ of snow randomly. Also, Bostonians are noted for their unique New England accent. You can YouTube Boston accents and you’ll see what I mean. You’ll absolutely need to get to a Red Sox baseball game. I’m a big Sox fan (booo yankees). Maybe we’ll all meetup in NY one weekend. You may also want to consider driving North into Maine if you have a chance. Maine is only a couple hours drive and it’s a stunning area with wonderful food (lobster). That’s exciting!
Thanks for the tips! My brother spent a month in Maine a couple of summers ago and also recommended it to us. We’d like to watch a basketball/baseball/football game while there (not sure about teams/seasons but we’ll figure it out). Also a meetup would be so much fun!
With your blog, the font doesn’t read clearly on Google Chrome (over here in Australia, the home of GREAT couch covers). I can of course read it, but it’s just not as lovely as before. I have the same problem on my (very new) blog and no idea how to improve it!
Oh the irony, I’m using fonts from the Google Fonts project and their API, and it doesn’t read properly on Chrome… thanks for letting me know. I’ll look into it today!