# Student Life ## expand\_more ![boston view](/sites/g/files/omnuum6836/files/2025-01/boston%20%281%29.jpg) ## Boston Boston offers a wealth of activities: great dining, museums, music, theater, historic sites, sporting events, and recreation. Students can easily go on day trips to hiking trails, Harbor Islands, coastal beaches, and ski resorts. Boston is also a hub for dozens of cutting-edge industries, including biotechnology, pharma, consulting, science policy and communication, and many more leading fields. Students have the opportunity to develop robust professional networks that extend beyond the classroom and lab to hone in on their professional development paths. ![Typical Small Room in Conant](/sites/g/files/omnuum6836/files/2025-01/Typical%20Small%20Room%20in%20Conant.jpg) ## Housing There are many housing options available to students near Longwood (HMS) and Cambridge. - [Harvard Griffin GSAS Residence Halls](https://gsas.harvard.edu/housing) - [Vanderbilt Hall](https://hms.harvard.edu/departments/vanderbilt-hall) - [Harvard-Owned Apartments](http://www.huhousing.harvard.edu/) - [Off-Campus Housing](https://gsas.harvard.edu/student-life/housing/other-housing-options). Many students live off-campus in the Cambridge and Boston area. Students may access [HarvardHousingOffCampus.com](https://www.harvardhousingoffcampus.com/), a private market rental site that includes a roommate search option, HUH sublet listings for eligible Harvard affiliates, and other resources. ![quad frisbee](/sites/g/files/omnuum6836/files/2025-01/quad%20frisbee%20cropped.jpg) ## Activities & Social Groups There are many opportunities to build relationships outside of the lab that will help you thrive as a graduate student. - The [Biomedical Graduate Student Organization](https://ogephd.hms.harvard.edu/biomedical-graduate-student-organization-bgso) (BGSO) plans and hosts social events specifically for the OGE PhD Programs. These events are mostly based on the Longwood campus and planned with your schedule and interests in mind! - The [Student Center at Harvard Griffin GSAS](https://gsas.harvard.edu/student-center%20) offers social, intellectual, and recreational activities designed to help students make connections outside of the classroom, lab, or library and across the various academic programs and campus locations in Harvard Griffin GSAS. - [GSAS Engage](https://engage.gsas.harvard.edu/) is an online tool that makes it a little easier to find your fit on campus. Search through all affiliated organizations, see what's happening, and get involved! ![person riding a bike](/sites/g/files/omnuum6836/files/2026-01/croppped.jpg) ## Transportation Students have access to numerous modes of [transportation](https://www.transportation.harvard.edu/). ### Public Transportation The subway, buses, and commuter rail that make up the [Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority](https://www.mbta.com/) (MBTA) - known as the "T" – allow you to travel easily all over the city and suburbs. Harvard students are eligible to receive a [50% discount on MBTA passes](https://gsas.harvard.edu/resource/mbta-semester-pass-program). ### Biking - [**Blue Bike** Bike Share Program](https://www.transportation.harvard.edu/commuterchoice/bike/blue-bikes-bike-share-program). Harvard students are eligible for a discounted Blue Bikes Annual Membership for only $70 (30% discount)! - $15 Bicycle Helmets are for sale at the [Campus Service Center](https://www.google.com/maps/place/1350%20Massachusetts%20Ave,%20Cambridge,%20MA%2002138/@42.3630067,-71.141038,15z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x89e37769b44244fb:0xa4ac9289be2e869c!8m2!3d42.3629919!4d-71.1307383!16s/g/11bw3fj9gs?entry=ttu). Cash or check only. - [Bicycle Parking on Campus](https://www.transportation.harvard.edu/commuterchoice/bike/bicycle-parking-campus) - [HMS Biking](https://campusplanning.hms.harvard.edu/campus-services/parking-commuter-services/bicycling) - [Additional Biking Resources](https://www.transportation.harvard.edu/commuterchoice/bike) ### Harvard Transportation Harvard offers [shuttle buses](https://harvard.transloc.com/), [evening van service](https://www.transportation.harvard.edu/shuttle-van-services/demand-van-service), and the [Harvard University Campus Escort Program](https://www.hupd.harvard.edu/campus-escort-program) (HUCEP) in Cambridge, and the [Walking Escort Service](https://campusplanning.hms.harvard.edu/campus-services/security-campus-safety/available-services) in the Longwood Medical Area #### Shuttle Buses - [M2 Shuttle Bus](https://www.longwoodcollective.org/m2-cambridge-boston) provides free service from Harvard Medical School to MIT to Harvard Square in Cambridge. - [MASCO Shuttles](https://www.longwoodcollective.org/lma-shuttles/shuttle-routes) - [Medical Area – Ruggles Station Schedule](https://www.longwoodcollective.org/ruggles) - [Medical Area – Landmark Center Schedule](https://www.longwoodcollective.org/landmark-shuttle) - [Mass General Brigham Shuttle (BWH – MGH/ MGH – Navy Yard)](https://www.massgeneralbrigham.org/en/patient-care/patient-visitor-information/planning-your-visit/shuttles) - [Harvard Shuttle and Van Service](https://www.transportation.harvard.edu/shuttle-van-services) Academic Shuttles provides free transportation throughout the Cambridge and Allston campuses. ### Walking Boston is a compact city that offers beautiful architecture, landscapes, and serene urban green spaces. Getting around is often easiest on foot, so enjoy the view and stay safe!