Hashley (Sem 1, 2023)

My Exchange at The University of California

The UC Berkeley campus is very different and large compared to Auckland. Berkeley is a college town about 30 minutes away from San Francisco so it was quite closed off from the working city and was mostly surrounded by students. The campus is dominated by neoclassic buildings very symbolic of the academia they take pride in so I definitely had feelings of intimidation but mostly excitement.

Berkeley’s orientation is called Golden Bear Orientation. It is a 4 day long schedule filled with all kinds of activities from campus tours/ information to social programs to meet all the other new students. Keeping an open mind and being as outgoing as I could be was important in this overwhelming first week. Knowing that everyone else is in the exact same boat made it easier for me to reach out and make conversation.

The architecture program at Berkeley wasn’t too different from Auckland. It was structured very similarly so I didn’t find it too difficult of a transition. The instructors were really passionate about what they teach and they were easy to approach whenever I needed help. The one thing that they hold really important is attendance. Most classes have it as part of their grading system and you could only have a limited number of excused absences.

The architecture studio was well supported with resources. There was always a lot going on in Sproul, where clubs tabled and protested. My favourite spot to be at in between my classes was at the glade – a field of grass in front of the university library where everyone just bathes in the California sun. The people I met and friends I made along the journey was one of the best things I could take away from my exchange. Living and sharing my days with my roommates was something that was very special to me.

I lived in one of the Berkeley Student Cooperative houses called Casa Zimbabwe. A coop is a student run house, meaning we had to do workshift (5 hours of chosen chores per week) and in benefit, we get a fairly cheap rent rate that comes with the utility bills, serviced dinner, a fully stocked fridge and pantry for any other meals we wished to make ourselves, and a calendar of social events. CZ was a real community. It was one of the most social houses in the coops hence it was not hard to make friends nor feel lonely, which is one of the reasons why I chose to live in CZ.

The dinners at CZ was always good. There was always plenty of protein and salad options at every dinner line. There are also a lot of restaurants around campus, mostly non fast food. They are a bit on the pricier side but was always worth the try. Taco Tuesdays were always everyone’s favourite.

The dollar exchange rate can make certain things pricier in America compared to Auckland. California in general is just one of the states with the highest cost of living but I was lucky enough that my rent covered a lot of the miscellaneous bills and social costs that would’ve added up. I would recommend being somewhat financially prepared for unexpected things that might come up and it really helped me to do a weekly spreadsheet of my budget.

I mostly took my time travelling while on exchange in the weekends. I visited some family in Baltimore, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. Outside the Bay Area, my friends and I have travelled to Vegas, Arizona, LA, and New York. Over spring break, we flew down to Cancun and Tulum in Mexico. It was a very interesting experience seeing all the different cultures in different US state as each one is unique to its own despite being in the same country.

To anyone who is considering going on exchange, I would definitely recommend going for it. It is a very profound experience that will give you a lot to learn outside the university. Everyday becomes a new opportunity to learn something about the world and yourself. The moment of overcoming the challenges become a highlight. Sometimes, it can get exhausting navigating new things alone in a foreign place but it was important for me to remember how it is a privilege to be going through it.

Q&A

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

Doing pin-up reviews were always a significant event for me. These moments were always an important time of conversational learning from not just the instructor but my peers too. Successfully completing my design studio course during our final panel review was a very satisfying end to the work that I have made throughout the semester. It was such an honour recieving quality feedback that I will take on and learn from in my future study.

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

It was always a lovely day being at Baker’s beach next to the Golden Gate bridge. Every Monday is jazz night at Eli’s in Oakland. The atmosphere in their live gigs is one of the coolest things I have experienced. Apart from the uni dorms, I highly recommend looking into the coops. It is a very unique living experience being in a truly communal home. Within the university, take advantage of the oppurtunities! Berkeley is well resourced with all sorts of interest, from social outdoor groups to career networking clubs.

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

Always keep an open mind.

Set yourself some goals and know your intentions before going on exchange.

Be involved in the community you find comfortable and put yourself out there.

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 had to set aside a lump sum for the major expenses such as accomodation, insurance, and airfare, well before applying for exchange. Rent (with food and bills) came to about $350NZD per week. This is at a coop rate which is the cheapest option I could find. In Berkeley, this could easily double or triple in other accomodation arrangements. I managed to waive the uni insurance fee with another provider and only had to pay a third of the original cost. I had some assistance from Flightcentre to figure out the best dates to fly and booked a flexible ticket. It took a hefty amount of research to figure out the best financial options and it definitely helped reaching out to the UoA alumnis who have been to Berkeley for their exchange.

My friends and I took advantage of the cheap flights that came up in the weekends. Travelling in groups not only made it more fun but also helped with spliting costs.

I expected not to get a job overseas while doing study, so I had to live off the savings I left with. I tracked my expenses by constantly updating a weekly spreadsheet. I comfortably got by with around $100USD as an allowance expense when I was not travelling, but sometimes unexpected costs come up so it is important to be prepared for it. It was handy to have a credit card during those times.

What are your most significant takeaways from your experience abroad?

I have gained a broader perspective living and meeting people overseas. It has made me realise how big the world is and how there is so much more to see. Knowing that I only had a limited amount of time made me stop taking things for granted and made sure to make every moment count.