UQ Program: Bachelors of Commerce/Laws
I attended the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) for the winter quarter of 2011. I am currently in my fourth year of a Bachelor of Commerce/Laws degree and studied Economics subjects at UCSB. The University of California’s unique quarter system is fast paced. Each quarter is a quick and intense version of a semester at UQ, however consisting of only ten weeks of classes. Nevertheless, I found that the work load was quite laid-back in comparison to UQ.
UCSB is definitely a paradise in its own right. With year-round fine Californian weather, the Pacific Coastline literally on campus, and a variety of opportunities for student involvement, UCSB was an excellent college in which to get the full "college experience". Despite UCSB being renowned for its reputation as the ultimate party college, UCSB manages to maintain high academic standards. The college strikes a good balance between its academics and social scene, in a laid-back beach atmosphere.
5 Tips for UCSB:
1. Enroll intro classes as early as possible, as it is quite hard to get into classes.
2. Experience the American house party scene in Isla Vista on weekends.
3. Attend the orientation at the start of the quarter, as it is the best way to meet other exchange students from around the globe.
4. Buy a second hand bike off Craigslist when you arrive, as most students ride around campus.
5. Make the most of Santa Barbara’s location by visiting nearby locations such as Los Angeles, San Diego, Laguna Beach and San Francisco.
Overall, attending UCSB has been a great learning curve, providing a great balance between academic, social and cultural events.