My Exchange at University of California
I first learned about the 360 International Exchange program through on-campus advertisements. After discussing possibilities with an advisor and attending an information session, I decided to apply.
When I arrived in Berkeley, I was amazed by the unique blend of historic and modern architecture on campus, as well as the breathtaking views of San Francisco from the hills. Berkeley’s walkability stood out to me from the start.
My accommodation situation was incredibly fortunate: I sublet a room from an MBA student who happened to be going on exchange to Columbia at the same time. This option saved me a lot of stress, and I highly recommend looking into sublets offered by current students if you can.
Orientation at the University of California, Berkeley was fantastic. The entire program lasted about a week and included a variety of activities, from free meals and campus tours to social events and even a Bay Cruise. These initial events helped me form friendships that lasted throughout the semester. In addition, the smaller class sizes in my engineering courses allowed me to build personal relationships with my professors, who were highly knowledgeable and supportive. Although the content was sometimes very theoretical and complex, the faculty made themselves readily available for help during office hours.
Berkeley itself is a vibrant city known for its great restaurants and walkability. The proximity to San Francisco and Silicon Valley made getaways easy, public transport is convenient, and there are plenty of options for exploring the wider Bay Area. That being said, the cost of living is higher than in Auckland, so budget accordingly. I found it helpful to plan my meals, utilize student discounts, and look out for free events on campus.
During my exchange, I took part in social basketball and football teams, traveled to Yosemite National Park, and even made a trip to Las Vegas. Campus life was never dull: Sproul Plaza was constantly buzzing with clubs, student groups, and the occasional protest. For meals, I opted for a five-meals-per-week plan at the campus dining halls, ironically, even that was sometimes too many meal swipes for my schedule.
Balancing a heavy workload was a challenge. I took four upper-division courses and one graduate-level course, which demanded consistent effort to stay on top of the content and assignments. However, by keeping organized and seeking help when needed, I managed to meet deadlines and enjoy the experience.
To any future exchange students considering Berkeley: don’t hesitate, it’s worth every effort. The biggest challenge for me was the upfront work: getting credit transfers approved and selecting courses was difficult, especially since many Berkeley engineering classes are restricted for exchange students. My main advice is to sort out course equivalencies early and make full use of the support offered by 360 International and academic advisors. While planning can feel overwhelming, the rewards, academic growth, new friendships, and lifelong memories, far outweigh the difficulties. I would do it all over again in a heartbeat.
Q&A
What were some of the highlights of the academic experience at your host university?
One of the most refreshing things about UC Berkeley was how genuinely knowledgeable and approachable the professors were. Even though they taught advanced material, they took time to answer questions and engage in conversations outside of class. In my highly theoretical engineering courses, the emphasis on critical thinking and problem-solving made a huge difference, I never felt like I was just memorizing formulas.
Would you recommend any particular activity/activities unique to your host country or university?
- Cal Football Games: Experiencing a Cal football game at Memorial Stadium is a must. The energy, traditions and passionate fans make it an unforgettable experience.
- Visit the Campanile: The Campanile on campus offers stunning panoramic views of the Bay Area, including San Francisco, the Golden Gate Bridge, and Berkeley itself.
- Explore San Francisco: Just a short BART ride away, San Francisco has endless attractions to explore.
- Go to a Warriors Game: If you’re a basketball fan (or even if you’re not), catching a Golden State Warriors game at the Chase Center is an incredible experience.
What are your top 3 tips for future students attending your host university or going on exchange to your host country?
- Start Early with Housing: Finding single-semester housing is tough, so be proactive on platforms like Facebook Marketplace and rental sites.
- Use Campus Resources: Help is everywhere, seek out academic and social support to improve the experience.
- Plan Your Time: The semester goes fast; balance academics, travel, and fun to make the most of it.
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 $15,000 USD, which was enough for my exchange, supplemented by my student loan, which eased the financial load. Don’t forget to account for insurance, it’s a significant expense. Sticking to a strict budget can be challenging due to unplanned costs, so ensure you have a cushion for emergencies. If you do run out, Berkeley offers many resources, including free groceries and meals for students in need.
What are your most significant takeaways from your experience abroad?
I arrived expecting to feel like an outsider, but I soon realized that everyone, no matter where they came from, was in the same boat, sharing similar challenges and uncertainties. Students at Berkeley were just as overwhelmed at times as I was, and instead of cutthroat competition, there was a collective push for everyone to succeed. People genuinely wanted to help each other pass, which helped alleviate the pressure.
Is there any advice you could share about accommodation options at your host university and/or in the local area?
I lived off-campus in a two-bedroom apartment that I sublet from a student who was also going on exchange. I found the accommodation through a Facebook Berkeley housing group, which was a great resource for connecting with other students and finding housing options.
Do you have any advice on what mobile phone apps and/or phone plans that were useful in your host country?
- Grubhub: Used to spend Flex Dollars from the meal plan, allowing easy food orders from campus and nearby locations.
- Snackpass: Convenient for accessing local restaurants, offering discounts and pre-order options.
I used the Tello eSIM for my phone plan, which was easy to set up and worked seamlessly throughout my exchange.