UQ Program: Bachelor of Environmental Science
By choosing to go in the first semester 3rd year of Environmental Science (it has 3 compulsories) I had immediately limited myself to a small number of universities that offered my required courses. However, the University of California, Santa Cruz campus caught my eye. It is perfect for outdoorsy people; it’s the central coast (so it doesn’t get too cold in winter), overlooks the ocean, is famous for its surf breaks and is situated in the middle of a red wood forest filled with raccoons, squirrels and dear. However a big bonus is its only 1.5hrs drive from San Francisco if you’re missing the city or craving an all night party.
I chose to live on campus in the international living centre (ILC). It is an expensive choice (approx $5000 US per quarter including meals and a shared room) but definitely worth the money. The ILC has a mix of domestic and international students, so you meet both the locals and exchange students from all over the world. Locals are great for knowing where the party’s at and meeting other Americans, exchange students are great because they’ve got the same plans to travel during the weekends and breaks.
UCSC works on the quarter system which means there are 3 ten week quarters per school year. This means school can feel rushed, however if you take the minimum required 12 credits it works out you’ll probably only have about 9 or less hours of class. Compared to a UQ science major that’s practically nothing! Generally I found the standard of work a lot easier too. One bad thing about the American system is classes fill up really quickly. If you know which classes you want, sign up ASAP or if there’s a prerequisite, email the professor teaching the course your transcript. If you don’t you will have to “crash” the class at the start of the quarter, which is where you show up to the first lesson and beg the professor for an enrolment code. Play your “confused international student” card.
Santa Cruz is a way of life and my experience here was amazing and I would definitely recommend this campus and town to anyone. I wish I had applied for the full year. I’m certainly sad to be going home and I’m going to miss my new friends which have become my second family.
TOP TIPS:
• Sign up for OPERS trips and classes; they offer cheap camping/white water rafting trips to national parks and surfing, kayaking and sailing classes.
• Take a hike around upper campus; the red wood forest is beautiful.
• Make some friends and go on a road trip up to Seattle or down to San Diego. It was the best week of my life.
• Check out the music festivals here; they attract way bigger line ups and are much cheaper than Australian festivals. Coachella was mind blowing and I’m excited to check out Bonnaroo.