Trading in their flip-flops and eternal sunshine for rain boots and 4 p.m. sunsets, Harvard students from California quickly learn that attending a college on the East Coast entails more than just a new campus—it’s about learning a whole new lifestyle. Part of this lifestyle includes adjusting to a revised schedule, room, and curriculum along with other students, but Harvard Californians specifically must also adjust to an entirely different culture and climate.
Harvard culture departs from the often laid-back California lifestyle in a variety of ways; for one, the relentless dedication to school. “People are very focused on academics over here,” said Maya Hilger ’27. Where California generally adopts a “work hard, play hard” mindset, Harvard’s is more focused on work than play. “The Northeast has a very ‘get shit done’ attitude,” noted Thomas Harris ’25. This mindset shift plays a significant role in the cultural differences.
These differences extend beyond academics and into everyday language. The stereotype of California surfer slang is a stereotype for a reason. “Sometimes I miss how friendly everyone is at home,” commented avid surfer Hayden McJunkin ’26 from Truckee, California. “People look at me funny whenever I say ‘stoked.’” Although “stoked” is deeply rooted in California surfer slang, it’s a versatile word that can be used by anyone to channel their inner Golden State. “I like to bestow the stoke and California vibes in my room,” said Harris.
A major challenge for Californians at Harvard is the change in climate. As the sunshine fades away into winter, so do the tans and highlights that California students typically sport all year long. “The winter is tough here,” noted Hilger. The stark contrast between the nearly constant pleasant weather and the frequent rain and snow storms is a lot to get used to. “No sunshine, no surfing, no beach vibes, no flip flops to class…made the move extremely challenging,” said Mason Hunt ’26 from Newport Beach, California. “I’d take California weather over Boston weather any day of the week.”
One distinct aspect that makes this transition to rain and snow so difficult is the ease of different winter activities due to the weather. A winter evening at a California college could easily be spent on an evening stroll or a picnic on the grass, whereas just going outside in Cambridge would require multiple layers regardless of the activity. This difference in accessibility is a key factor in making California appear to have much more going on. “There’s just so much to it,” Hilger commented in reference to her experience growing up in Fair Oaks, a city in Sacramento County, California. The options are seemingly endless when you can comfortably walk outside in February wearing a t-shirt and shorts. “I took my access to outdoor activities for granted,” McJunkin noted. Granted, it is a lot easier to go outside without rain and snow.
Luckily, these students manage to keep their California identities alive. You can spot them tanning on the Quad lawn, constantly talking about how much better the California Mexican food is than Jefe’s, and sporting their Rainbow flip-flops in 50 degree weather. “I wear flip flops to the dining hall despite the dirty looks,” Hunt said. “The Massholes haven’t rubbed off on me quite yet.”
Additionally, a group of these students put immense effort into seeking out the ocean. They drive hours to find the best beaches in the area, spend hundreds on wetsuits and ship their surfboards out to continue surfing in the winter, and even create groups on campus to unite their fellow beach lovers. “I co-founded the Harvard Undergraduate Surf Club,” explained Hunt. The Harvard Undergraduate Surf Club is perfect for bringing the surf lovers together, and the Californians are willing to travel to find waves. “I’ve gone on some solo surf missions up to some breaks in New Hampshire,” McJunkin remarked.
The Harvard Undergraduate Surf Club is not just for California kids. It unites a larger group of students dedicated to finding waves near Boston, revealing the bigger Harvard community these California surfers become a part of as they embrace college on the East Coast. Harris, from New York City, New York and cofounder of the club with Hunt, explained his motivation for creating the club: “It was always something I really wanted to do. I’ve been a huge surfer since I was 10 years old…so we put in the work last winter break.”
Harvard students from California additionally rely on each other to provide a sense of home. The simple fact of coming from the same state allows a sense of friendship and immediate bond between students. “Whenever I meet someone from California, it’s a connection,” Hilger stated.
Regardless of the severity of the Cambridge winter, many of these students have embraced the good weather Cambridge does have to offer. “I don’t like much about the weather here. I will say, however, there is a period of about 3 weeks in early fall where I feel at home. Sun shining, birds chirping, and smiles gleaming. It’s as good as it gets,” said Hunt. Perhaps having a limited number of guaranteed sunny days makes them all the more special and treasured.
Furthermore, for somebody used to the eternal sunshine, seeing the leaves fall and the colors shift is certainly one welcome change of the East Coast. “There’s definitely something special about New England fall,” McJunkin commented. Everlasting sunshine can get boring, and the fall brings adventure with its changes. “One day I went and drove up kind of in the New Hampshire-Vermont area, and it was so gorgeous… The fall is really nice,” said Hilger.
Given the magic of Cambridge fall, the Harvard California students are still committed to bringing their home to Harvard. In the face of the less than ideal winter weather, they find the California in Cambridge. “Most importantly, I try to be as friendly as any good Southern Californian,” said Hunt.
Heidi Heffelfinger ’26 (heidiheffelfinger@college.harvard.edu) is a Harvard student from California getting paler by the day.