An aficionado of international education – the colorful diversity reflected in schools across cultures – this wanderlust has always dreamed of visiting the world-famous Ivy League schools, the long-established universities in the east and west coasts of the United States, widely regarded for their high scholastic and social reputation. I have always been impressed with such universities not only because of their prestige, but also because of their students and graduates who have significantly contributed in all fields of human interests and endeavors and helped shape the history of mankind.

Filled with wonder and amazement, this "self-confessed school girl at heart and for life" had wanted to know, before setting foot in the university, how it is like to be a student there, or even just a tourist. It must be marvelous.

SNOWY HARVARD YARD.  The elated author in front of Harvard University.

Coming from Portsmouth, Rhode Island, a small town in freezing New England, we took the Greyhound bus from Providence towards Boston. We left at 9 a. m. and arrived an hour later. Along the way, we passed by another Ivy League, Brown University in Providence, and the highly competitive Boston University. We disembarked at Boston’s South Station. Setting foot in Boston, I felt that I was truly in the United States – that it was truly America. Although very busy a city it could be expected, Boston is homelier and more reserved than the very open, loud, and crowded New York City and Los Angeles. It is also highly "American", not to mention being a home to gorgeous and reserved American yuppies! And yes, this city is also the hometown of handsome 90s boyband New Kids on the Block whom my sister and I are diehard fans of! Definitely, Boston impressed me so much. It is very peaceful compared to other American core areas. Once settled there, one can live a decent and professionally rewarding life. Being a reserved city, it encourages reflection, like one can just be pensive and ponder about life and its meaning. Life is worth living, I guess, when one is in Boston, Massachusetts.

From South Station, we took the subway train going to Cambridge. Adjacent to Boston Chinatown, South Station is part of a systematic transport system maintained by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, an agency that is responsible for the upkeep and smooth-sailing management of subways, buses, and the commuter rail system. While at the terminal, I saw Chinese people waiting for the train as well. They must be international students who are common in such "melting pots" like the United States. Offering a whole world of courses and facilities, inevitably, migrant countries such as the United States continuously lure intellectuals and professionals all over the world to gain academic and professional experience at its finest. We passed by the Charles River, the body of water identified with Harvard University. The Head of the Charles, the annual October regatta, is held in this river.

Cambridge, Massachusetts is home to two illustrious institutions: the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Harvard University. MIT runs through the extensive Massachusetts Avenue, a couple of blocks away from Harvard.

What I appreciate about the United States, not just in Harvard, is the American culture of reading. Books, magazines, and other intellectual materials are enjoyed by the people. Wherever you look, you will see people reading a pocket book or a newspaper. They love to browse either to kill time or to spend it productively wherever they may be – whether in the restaurant, in the train station, in the bus, in the car – everywhere! I also remember when I was in third grade in Pennsylvania, there was this RIF Program.

RIF stands for "Reading is Fun." This goes to show that from their early years, Americans are encouraged to make reading a habit. No doubt, Americans are intellectuals in their own right and America is certainly a powerful country.

Finally, it was our stop, Harvard Station. Ascending the stairs, we came across a group of kababayans. My Dad spoke to them, confirming our way to Harvard Yard. In the States, I noticed that fellow Filipinos easily recognize their kababayans and willingly accommodate them. My Mom told me that they are eager to help their fellow Filipinos because they miss the Philippines – their Motherland. When we reached the top of the stairs, it was already the opened gates welcoming us towards Harvard Yard. It was Harvard University already. Wow!

It was pretty chilly at that time being a winter day, but a visit to Harvard was, indeed, spectacular. The weather was sunny even if it was winter and the streets and the pedestrian lanes were coated with snow. The first thing that I saw at Harvard Yard was a statue of an 18th-century-clad fellow sitting noticeably in the middle of the Yard, in front of a building with the American flag flying. Harvard Yard is the area where visitors get the feel of the University. It is where they savor and get acquainted with Harvard. Akin to a household, this is the living room in which guests are welcomed and entertained.

It was lunch time already so we stopped for a while and looked for a place to dine in. Along Holyoke Street, there is Au Bon Pain (ABP for short and French for "In the Good Bread"), one of the popular restaurants in Harvard. I never really knew it was the famous hang-out of Harvardians, but obviously so because of its proximity. Wonder what Harvardians eat? Well, their menu is "human" for those curious about what and how these brainiacs eat. I saw subway sandwiches, Caesar’s salad, vinegar-soaked potato chips, and spring water (Harvard water for that matter). Students, professors, and visitors frequent ABP. And so did we.

After eating, we strolled at the shops nearby. We bought souvenir items like pens, postcards, a bag, and a shirt at I August Company, a souvenir shop established in 1891 along Massachusetts Avenue.

Inside the Holyoke Center, we went to the Harvard Events and Information Center. This department of Harvard is responsible for providing information to visitors. Information of all sorts is abundantly available like maps, event listings, and general information. Being a collector of school brochures, prospectuses, and clippings, it was, indeed, a feast for me! I took a handful of Harvard information materials – from the coloring book, entitled "Harvard in Color", the leaflets, bookmarks, pamphlets, and catalogues all for my perusal – I got one from every type! I asked the information officer at the desk if they have a bag available to hold the materials which I have in an armful but they said they do not have one available. There is also an artwork by French Impressionist Edgar Dégas entitled "The Dance Class" which I saw at the corner. Seeing it reminded me of my lessons in my aesthetics and art appreciation class in college.

The Harvard Events and Information Center promotes the Harvard Walking Tours. This program enables tourists to explore Harvard through a free student-led walking tour. The student tour guides deliver an engaging view of the life and times of America’s oldest institution of higher learning. These expeditions are scheduled and so we went to register. We learned, however, that during winter breaks, the student-led walking tours are not available. Hence, we returned to the University and continued to savor the University ourselves.(The author is currently taking up Master of Arts major in Political Science at the De La Salle University-Manila. For comments, email scubul@mb.com.ph.)