Exchange Report (UCSD 2011 Fall – 2012 Spring)
On the 13th of September 2011, my time as an exchange student started its
countdown as I stepped foot into the unfamiliar nation - America. I was set to study
abroad for a full academic year in the University of California, San Diego. I arrived at
LAX in the late afternoon and searched for the prearranged ride that would take me to
a hotel near the college I was to stay for the next ten months. The long dark night
alone got me thinking what I actually got myself into, but beneath the anxiety and
worries, there lied the sense of adventure and excitement of a new experience.
Why go on the exchange?
My initial reasons for wanting to go on the exchange were based around the following:
1. Travel: Studying abroad provides the opportunity to travel and study at the same
time. It is a way of exploring a new area while not slowing down your academic
progress. At the same time, you could also take a visit to states or countries
nearby during holidays and breaks - places that you usually would not go to due
to the distance.
2. Culture: Being exposed to a new environment, new people and different
methods of acting and accomplishing things broadens your cultural knowledge
and awareness. One will become more understanding of others and learn how to
behave when encountering people from different cultures. This will also develop
your communication and interaction skills.
3. Differentiate: Having an experience abroad provides a point of differentiation
between you and your peers. The exchange attains a global experience and
shows that you are adaptable to new environments and changes. This may open
up a brighter future career path and job opportunities.
4. Challenges: An exchange is a nice opportunity to test yourself in many aspects,
including your ability to adapt to change, starting new without loved ones around
to help, your level of responsibility and independence, financial management
skills, and so on. Challenges in the form of different academic levels and
teachings also apply.
5. Encounters: You meet lots of different people on the exchange - it is a chance to
build new and perhaps, long-lasting friendships. New encounters to individuals
from a different part of the world will also broaden your network.
Throughout the ten months I stayed in America, I met lots of interesting and friendly
individuals. They became some of my closest friends, increasing my travel
possibilities for the future. Furthermore, from what my family and friends say of me, I
supposedly became more independent and outgoing. I now also set wider goals, if the
opportunity exists, I would like to expand outside of New Zealand and work in
America for a while after I graduate.
Personal view of UCSD and San Diego
UCSD has a beautiful campus located right beside the beach and in combination with
the great weather, it is a really relaxing place to study and have fun. It has a nice study
environment and is close to the normal touristy kind of attractions, such as the San
Diego Zoo and Balboa Park. UCSD is world famous for their biology-related research
and provides good education and facilities for those that study science-related subjects.
On the other hand, their business school is relatively new, so some of their
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management-related courses may be a bit disorganised and not up to the expected
standard.
I thought of the San Diego environment as one that is quite similar to that of Hamilton.
It is a good place if you enjoy some peaceful living. Areas such as the town get quiet
after 10pm and there are not many people out at night. As a UCSD student, you will
be able to ride some buses for free, but the public transportation does not take you far.
It is important that you can drive or know someone that can give you a ride.
Financial matters
The cost of living off-campus is a lot lower than that of living on-campus, however
this is the trade-off between convenience and money. The cost of a double room
apartment for me was $10,096 USD for the whole academic year, spreading that out
for ten months; it is around $1,000 USD per month. The average cost of living in an
apartment near the campus is $400 USD per month (this includes utilities, internet and
electricity). It may be safer to live on-campus as the place will be unfamiliar at first
and the stay will not be longer than a year and it is also easier to meet new people that
way. But living off-campus is definitely a lot cheaper and flatting is a good option if
you know someone that is already there.
Goods on campus are generally two or three times more expensive than that of the
normal price of goods sold outside. The cost of food and other basic necessities are
not much different from that of New Zealand, keeping the exchange rate in mind, cost
of living in the US may be slightly more expensive but not by much. Using food for
example, a decent sized burrito costs approximately $5 USD and all-you-can-eat
Korean BBQ is around $23 USD.
Opening a bank account may be really helpful no matter the duration of your
exchange. An America bank account saves a lot of money from transaction costs that
would occur if using payment forms such as a New Zealand Visa card. USD could be
purchased in the home country at a desired exchange rate and then transferred through
wire; this allows you to have access to funds in two or three days. It is also important
to bring some cash or other forms of payment (like a traveller’s cheque) with you (I
took six hundred USD in cash). This is in case there are initial payments needed for
housing, rides to destination and unexpected expenditures. It is also useful to have
some quarters in hand in case there is a need to use the payphone.
10 things to see and do
1. Explore UCSD: In the first couple weeks of my arrival, I went to the nearby
places such as La Jolla Shores and Black Beach and was later told that I have not
stepped off the grounds of UCSD as they are all a part of it. UCSD is really a
beautiful place and will take a few days to explore.
2. San Diego Zoo: A world famous zoo that lives up to its name. If you like
animals, it would be worth your time. There is even a cable car that gives you a
good view of a part of San Diego from the sky.
3. Colorado: Colorado is a beautiful place to view the ocean. The two pictures
below are taken by the shores of Colorado, the bottom one shows some friends
and me by the coast.
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4.
Universal Studios (Los Angeles): Spectacular performances and 3D movies.
The Studio Tour is a must go, visiting the world’s largest working movie studio
where many famous films have been shot. Below is the display found at the
entrance to the theme park.
5.
Disneyland (Los Angeles): The place where magic is created and suitable for
people of all ages. Well-coordinated parades and firework shows. The turkey leg
and pineapple float are things to try while there.
Mount Woodson Trail: A three hour hike up to Potato Chip Rock. Great views
throughout the challenging hike and rewarded with some cool photos at the top.
There is an alternative of driving up to the rock as well. Below is a part of the
view from the mountain, only half way up.
6.
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7.
Phil’s BBQ: Only found in San Diego. It may be a long wait outside to get a seat
inside, but it is well worth it. The beef and pork ribs are delicious, it gets messy
while eating, but that is part of the fun.
8.
Old Town: A place with a Mexico theme. There are stores that sell small
ornaments that are good for souvenirs; there is also a really nice candy store and
a haunted house.
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Balboa Park: Contains multiple museums and gardens. There is also a
recreation gym for badminton and table tennis.
10. SeaWorld: Spend a day watching performances by the killer whale Shamu and
neatly coordinated seals.
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Miscellaneous things to keep in mind
About the exchange and travelling:
When applying for credit transfer, it may be useful put the descriptions of your
home courses with the exchange university’s courses on the same piece of paper
for easy comparison. This can be used by the instructors approving the credit
transfers.
What you decide to study overseas does not necessary have to relate to your
studies at home.
Homesickness or culture shock is common in the first few weeks after you arrive
there, but once that phase passes and you are starting to have fun and enjoy your
stay, time goes by really quickly. So make sure you take the opportunities to do
what you want to do, such as travelling, sightseeing or learn to surf.
You only need to get approved for travelling if you are going outside of America,
so you are free to travel to any of the other states without permission. Keep the
DS-2019 and I-20 in a secure and safe place and take it with you while travelling
a far distance.
About America/California:
You need to pay tips and the prices shown on display do not include tax.
The measures used are pounds and miles.
There are no seasons. It is typically sunny and warm throughout the whole year.
There is not much need for warm clothing, but a jacket would be nice to have in
case of cold nights or rare rainy weather.
It is quite dry there, bring lotion and sun protecting products.
About UCSD:
La Jolla is Spanish and pronounced La Hoi-ah.
There is a garage sale at the beginning of each quarter - it is a nice opportunity to
buy some basic household items (e.g., clothes hangers, lamps and cutlery) and
also a chance to get rid of anything you do not want.
International House is known as the “Party House”. The walls for campus
housing are thin, so everything can be heard clearly.
A bicycle or skateboard is a good method of transportation in getting around
campus. The campus loop may also take you places quickly.
The ID card serves as not only your ID, but also dining dollars, triton cash, free
entry into specific events and a limited free bus pass.
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