Ask a current Northeastern student!

<p>The first day of school is Jan 6 2014 after the Christmas breakout. Does anyone know when the dorms (specifically, IV) are open for returning students? Jan 4? Jan 5? I have a freshman and she doesn’t know for sure yet and I am anxious to book her flight for the winter break.</p>

<p>When I was a freshman, I came back on the Sunday before classes restarted on Monday. I don’t recall what the specific guidelines are anymore. IV should be open, though, because there are also upperclassmen living there, who are required to be out during break.</p>

<p>Thanks, Nanotechnology
Just to clarify, do you mean that upperclassmen are NOT required to be out during break so IV will be open during the winter break?</p>

<p>For people who may have the same question: I talked to Housing at NEU. And the moving-in date is Jan 5th not Jan 4th. If for some reason the student needs to move in on 1/4, he/she needs to get an approval from the dorm’s Resident Director for early arrival.</p>

<p>The move in date in IV is not really set in stone. Last year my daughter moved in a day early because on the ride up she learned that most of her friends were already mvoed in. As nano said - IV is not closed for the break since upperclassman live there and could be on co-op and so you will have access to the building the entire break time (although the dining hall will most likely be closed)</p>

<p>IV dining hall is typically closed December 24 and 25.</p>

<p>How’s the Computer Science and Business program?</p>

<p>Personally, I’m a fan of the way the CS program is set up, starting by teaching fundamentals with the Racket/Sceme language. The business program is also one of the strongest areas of the university.
These are also both majors where co-ops can be quite highly paid and also very beneficial to obtaining full-time work after graduation.</p>

<p>Thanks. What do you do (what can you do?) in your free time?</p>

<p>Lots to do - </p>

<p>on campus - hang out with friends in various places, join clubs for every interest, eat at the different on-campus food joints, go to gym in Marino, in good weather hang out on the common, </p>

<p>off campus - explore boston, north end, greenway, boston common, faneuil hall, lots of shopping places, newbury street, the MFA (free admission), places over in Cambridge, cheap restaurants nearby or in Chinatown, etc.</p>

<p>then the things you need to do in spare time - laundry, food/toiletries shopping, etc.</p>

<p>Oh and study - in the library, in curry, in the common room in your dorm, in your room, outside (when nice), in the food court in Marino, tons of quiet places to study on campus</p>

<p>Does anyone know anything about the International Affairs majors?
(Course load, co-op experience, etc.)</p>

<p>Are you always alone? I mean everyone probably has different places to go, especially with co-op schedules…</p>

<p>Is it easy to make friends?</p>

<p>The different co-op rotations do make things a little different from most colleges in terms of hanging out with friends. It can be weird, sometimes - when you come home from work exhausted, but without homework, while your friend/significant other has free time during the day, but come evening is loaded with stuff to do. It’s totally manageable, though. When on co-op, I managed to stay involved with most of my on-campus clubs and activities, which definitely helps.</p>

<p>I had no problem making friends when I started, even though I’m an introvert. During Welcome Week, they really make a point of trying to give you a chance to interact with a lot of people. Plus there’s classes and getting involved in some clubs. It’s sort of like throwing a bunch of people at you and seeing who sticks. I initially signed up for a ton of clubs, then picked which ones I really enjoyed within the first few weeks and stuck with those.</p>

<p>Do the dining halls have gluten free options? If so, are they any good?</p>

<p>I’m an International Affairs major. Very manageable/flexible course load that you can basically do whatever you want with. Can go many different routes. I’ve done all three of my co-ops at non-profits in the area (by choice). All were paid. Many of my IAF friends have done very varied co-ops. Studied abroad three times (2 Dialogues + 1 traditional semester). Any specific questions?</p>

<p>The dining halls do have gluten free options. I know IV in particular does a big focus on foods for people with allergies, gluten intolerance, and kosher/hallal. The other dining halls do have selections, as well. Being a fan of gluten-based foods myself, though, I can’t speak to its quality.</p>

<p>@jibler, I’m in my 4th year and have done two co-ops. I found that it actually was difficult to make friends at NEU after first year. In fact, none of my friends are from NEU, they’re all from other schools or other places in MA. Initially, if you join clubs and groups, you can definitely make friends. But if you don’t, it gets tough. Also, your friends in your first-year residence hall could either stay your friends or not. People mature fast at this school and a lot of us end up focusing on work instead of play (though there is plenty of play as well!)</p>

<p>On my first co-op, I worked rotations at a hospital, and also had to pick up a waitressing gig to make ends meet. If anything that was the closest to the real world I’m ever going to get. I was alone almost all day every day except for my coworkers, hated both of my jobs and swore off ever working in a hospital again. But it depends on your co-op. For my second one I worked a 9-5 and had plenty of time to do everything and see everyone. If you choose a job with a weird schedule, you will be alone more, but that’s reprisentitive of the real world. If anything, NEU def prepares you for it.</p>

<p>Hmm, thanks for the responses everyone</p>