My Favorite T Stop
My favorite T stop is Medford/Tufts. This was the answer I gave when I took part in a bingo night at Tufts. I love this T stop because it is such an awesome feeling to arrive back home. Seeing the JCC building unfold beautifully as you approach the stop is such a sweet experience. Being both the first and the last stop on the Green Line E train, which starts from my favorite T stop and ends at Heath Street (a place I’ve only heard of but never visited), makes it even more special.
The furthest T stop I have been to is Brigham Circle, which is my last stop every Wednesday when I go to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute for my internship. It is about an hour-long train ride, and although it is definitely awesome, the return journey can get a little tiring since it is usually in the evening after a long day of internship work.
One of the things that makes Boston unique is how well-developed the public transportation system is. It is very well organized and extends even to more remote locations. There are buses and trains that head to different destinations, and the fare is not as expensive compared to other alternatives such as taking an Uber or driving. I believe both bus and train tickets cost $2.40 each. In addition, it is essential to know that public transportation might take a little more time to get you to your destination, so it is always good to plan ahead. Another great thing is that the public transit system is well integrated into map apps, so it helps to check in advance to know when the train will be arriving or leaving.
One of the most heartbreaking moments is when you rush down the stairs to the platform and see the train pulling away just as you arrive. Sometimes it happens when you are already running late to wherever you are headed, and then you have to wait another 7–12 minutes for the next train. Because of this, it is always wise to check ahead and be fully aware of the schedule.
There are different train lines, including the Red Line (my favorite stop being Kendall/MIT), the Orange Line (my favorite stop being Community College), the Green Line (which comes straight to Tufts University), and finally the Blue Line (with my favorite stop being Aquarium). All of my favorite T stops are meaningful to me because, at some point, I have frequently visited those locations. The Red Line also stops in lively Davis Square, just a 10-15 minute walk from campus with a regular Tufts shuttle.
One little story I remember from my first days at Tufts and in the U.S. happened during Pre-O week. My Pre-O group, BEAST, took us on an excursion to the Boston Public Library to explore and get library passes (you can do this too). At some point, I wandered away and ended up losing touch with the whole team. We were in Copley, and I knew that if I took the Green Line, I would get back to campus. So I went down to the subway, but somehow, because of panic, I boarded a Green Line train that was headed in the opposite direction from Tufts. After two more stops, I realized I was going the wrong way. I quickly got off and took the train headed toward Medford/Tufts instead. Maybe that is why I have a special bond with this T stop.