‘America's College Town' – coming from New Zealand, I didn't really understand what an American college town actually meant. 

Was it a place with numerous colleges located together? Was it the environment, the level of education, or the opportunities that were offered? Through my time at Harvard, I came to understand that choosing to study in Greater Boston, home to 70+ colleges, was the best decision I've made. 

One of the biggest ways to have college spirit and pride is through sports, and I made the most of attending sporting events during my time at Harvard. For Harvard College undergrads, home games are free, which meant I was given many opportunities to show up and get involved in the school spirit. 

This past year, I have attended many games, such as Basketball at the Lavietes Pavilion, Ice Hockey at the Bright Hockey Center, and, most exciting of all, the annual Beanpot Tournament at TD Garden. 

The Beanpot was my first sporting event at TD Garden, and it was a genuinely surreal experience. Standing among students cheering on one of the four major college hockey teams in Greater Boston gave me a real sense of college spirit and what it means to live in America's College Town. 

Due to classes, I was not able to attend the Harvard vs. Northeastern Third Place game that day (which we won!), but I did make it to the Boston University Terriers vs. Boston College Eagles final. I was not rooting for either side as I was staying loyal to Harvard, but it was exciting to watch students from all around Boston come together to support their school. That night, I felt the magic of college hockey, from the school bands that kept the energy up to the intermission games and events, which made the whole night feel more interactive! 

Another tradition I look forward to every year is the Harvard-Yale football game. It is one of my favorite fall semester events, as I cheer on Harvard while being in the moment and watching the band and cheerleading squad perform on the sidelines. It truly feels like the American college movies I see on TV. Although I am not a student athlete, going to sports games like these is what makes me feel part of the college community, and I am very excited to attend more in the future.

Looking back at that question that I asked myself when I first arrived – what does it mean to live in a college town? And it is not a single thing. It is not just the 70+ colleges, but also the crowd at TD Garden, the band playing at Harvard-Yale, and the students whom I meet on the bleachers at the basketball games. College town spirit comes from so many different perspectives and angles, and sports bring it all together nicely. This is exactly what makes going to college in Boston so special.