Connor (Sem 2, 2023)

My Exchange at The University of California

I wish I had known that it does truly take a while to feel settled into your new environment. For myself, and speaking to other freinds on exchange, this took around a month. During this time, it’s important to go easy on yourself!

Q&A

What were some of the highlights of the academic experience at your host university?

My classes were smaller in size than back home, meaning it was really easy to interact with other students. The teachers also facilitated a very interactive classroom environment, rather than purely delivering content. I found my classmates to be very eager to participate and contribute.

Would you recommend any particular activity/activities unique to your host country or university?

At UCLA, I definitely recommend joining a club! It’s a fantastic way to meet new people. Club culture is very big at US universities.

What are your top 3 tips for future students attending your host university or going on exchange to your host country?

For the USA – definitley get a USA bank account. I didn’t, and it was a struggle because you couldn’t set up Cash Apps such as Venmo, which are needed when trying to pay and receive money between friends. Second, I would definitely recommend staying in university-affiliated housing, as it’s a very social environment. Lastly, don’t be shy to say hello and try to strike up conversations with anyone you meet! People in US colleges are super open to making new friends.

How much did you budget for your exchange? Was this enough? Were there any lessons learned that would help future students budget for their own exchange?

I budgeted around 15k NZD and this was sufficient for me. I would definitely work out how much your housing cost will be – as this is paid in a lump sum at the start of the semester.

What are your most significant takeaways from your experience abroad?

I learnt a lot about myself – that someone from a small town can go abroad to a massive city and most definitely thrive and make lifelong friends! I also learnt a lot about New Zealand and our place in the world – recognising what I love about our country and living here, and also what isn’t so great here!

Final Comments

Make the most of every day! Your time truly goes fast here, but it is so worth it. Take lots of photos and videos!