Global Observer

Northeastern students talk about the coronavirus pandemic.

[Video] Northeastern students discuss coronavirus before major outbreak in the US

Huilin Li March 19, 2020

The world has been hit hard by the coronavirus. What's surprising is how fast it has all happened. The United States has gone from a handful of cases to a shutdown in a few weeks. The Global Observer...

A tax form.

Do international students have to file a tax return this April?

Ha Ta March 4, 2020

The answer is always “yes.” Students need to at least file a federal tax return, and possibly a state tax return, by April 15. I can’t remember how many conversations I’ve overheard from...

Recording equipment.

[Podcast] Abroad in America: Students discuss coronavirus stereotypes

Suhra Nahib March 2, 2020

The Global Observer is excited to launch the first episode of our podcast titled Abroad in America. In Episode 1, we ask Chinese international students about their worries and the behavioral and attitude...

The performer at Northeastern.

Rising comedic star takes the stage at Northeastern to fundraise for Wuhan

Izzy Harris February 28, 2020

Not many American stand-up comedians make it in China, especially when their language of performance is Chinese. But Massachusetts native Jesse Appell has beaten all the odds and is rapidly becoming...

Public transit in Boston.

My thoughts on Boston’s infamous public transit

Jin Kim February 18, 2020

Tuesday, 12:53 p.m. Jogging across the pedestrian crossing to Malden Center station, I hurriedly swipe a few commands into my phone to pull open the MBTA schedule. The app says that the inbound train...

Hearts.

Valentine’s Day with a Valentine thousands of miles away

Maria Aguirre February 6, 2020

I have never been a big fan of Valentine's Day. It's not quite an important holiday in Guayaquil, Ecuador, where I come from. But spending the day all by myself this year while America celebrates...

A screenshot of a spam call.

3 actions to take to avoid being a scam victim this tax season

Ha Ta February 3, 2020

With the tax season of April coming close, my voicemail is inundated with messages asking me to call them back so they can help me, among other things, pay my overdue tax to the IRS and offset my enormous...

Snacks for homesickeness.

A food recipe to relieve homesickness abroad

Maria Aguirre October 28, 2019

“Leaving home and coming to a new city is not an easy task.” People told me this before going abroad but I couldn't agree enough until now. For a girl coming from Guayaquil, Ecuador like me,...

Diwali celebration.

Celebrating the festival of lights in Boston

Avantika Panda October 27, 2019

The blinding lights decorated along the streets, the chaos outside from Bollywood music and fire-crackers and the constant visits from friends and family to your home with sweets and gifts. If these...

A scammers ID.

International students are especially vulnerable to scams

Yushu Tian October 24, 2019

I nearly got swindled out of all the money in my bank account during my first week in the U.S. from a phone call. It was a lesson I want to share with others, that international students -- unfamiliar...

Facing loneliness and overcoming it

Facing loneliness and overcoming it

Yunjia Hou October 16, 2019

“A man can be himself only so long as he is alone; and if he does not love solitude, he will not love freedom; for it is only when he is alone that he is really free,” German philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer...

Your ideal Boston neighborhood finder tool

Your ideal Boston neighborhood finder tool

Ha Ta October 1, 2019

There are more than 20 neighborhoods in Boston and each boasts its own distinct features and personalities. However, as someone who is new to the city looking for a place to live, this long list of neighborhoods...

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