“The only downside was that the whole time flew by.”
California is at the top of many students’ wish lists. In addition to the ideal weather conditions and the wide range of leisure activities, California also offers many renowned universities and a perfect environment to improve your English language skills. UCR is part of the University of California (UC), a system of state universities in California, and was founded in 1954. Furthermore, with its proximity to Los Angeles and San Diego, UCR is a very attractive university for a semester abroad.
Preparations for the semester abroad
After a personal interview at the International Office at the FHDW, I submitted my application and CV and promptly received a positive response from the FHDW as well as confirmation of acceptance from UCR. A practical phase exchange is required for a stay abroad in the fourth semester. Thanks to the support of my partner company, this went smoothly. Since not all courses are offered at UCR, I had to take a total of two courses at the FHDW beforehand and afterwards. I was able to take one course during my practical phase with the help of e-learning and weekend lectures in the first quarter of 2019. I wrote another exam after my stay abroad.
For a semester abroad in the USA, students from abroad need a valid I-20 visa. This should be applied for in good time, as the processing takes some time and a personal interview at a US consulate is required. I then had to decide whether I wanted to live with a host family or in a rented apartment during my semester abroad. I had already had positive experiences with a host family during my time at a language school in Sydney, which is why I decided to do the same in Riverside. I submitted my application for accommodation with a host family to UCR promptly and was soon accepted by an Italian family who had immigrated to the USA many years ago. So I was already looking forward to good food and could hardly wait to leave.
The first impression
When I arrived in the Sunshine State of California, a nice lady from UCR welcomed me at the airport and introduced me to my host family. The welcome was very warm and I felt at home straight away. The food was freshly cooked every day and the family was always available to answer any questions I had. The university was about a ten-minute drive away.
Very good professors and lots of leisure activities
The University of California at Riverside is a very modern university that offers students many opportunities. An orientation week was organized at the beginning of the semester abroad, during which we received useful information and advice to help us get started at the university. From a leisure center where you could go climbing, swimming and cooking, for example, to festivals with famous artists and excellent food stalls, there was a wide range of leisure activities on offer. The lectures were held by very good professors who involved the students in the lessons and were very interesting and varied.
The choice of course should be carefully planned in advance in order to avoid problems during the semester abroad. Some courses were ultimately not offered or were filled very quickly, so I was no longer able to take part in the previously planned courses.
A semester in the USA is structured very differently than in Germany. There is not just one exam that has to be passed at the end of the semester, but many different exams that make up the final grade. This includes group work, presentations, mid-term exams, final exams, quizzes and various assignments.
During my semester abroad, I got to know many people of different nationalities. In addition to Americans, other students at UCR include Brazilians, Moroccans, French, Chinese, Japanese and Africans. It was very exciting to get to know people from other cultures and to exchange ideas with them. We were provided with a UCR bus ticket for the entire time, which we were able to use in Riverside.
However, life as a student in the USA is anything but cheap and you should plan a sufficient budget for the entire period. Extra costs are incurred at various points.
California: sights and breathtaking nature
Despite numerous lectures and assignments for university, I found time at the weekend to get a better picture of California. Los Angeles, which is about an hour away, has a lot to offer: I found the Broad Museum of Contemporary Art and Venice Beach in Santa Monica particularly interesting. There are also lots of modern venues.
The trips to San Francisco and San Diego were another highlight. The journey alone along the Pacific Ocean on the so-called “Highway 1” was very impressive and I will probably always remember it. Most of the coastline is largely undeveloped and has many natural monuments. San Francisco, especially Pier 39, a part of Fisherman’s Wharf with a view of the historic Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge, also really impressed me.
In my opinion, it makes sense to rent a car during the semester abroad, as you are much more flexible and can see more in the short time available. In addition, the bus and train connections are not optimal.
Time passed far too quickly
The semester abroad was one of the most interesting experiences of my life and had a huge impact on me. I had the opportunity to gain many positive experiences, meet interesting people and see impressive places. I gained insights into different ways of working and learning and was able to attend exciting lectures by very good professors. The only downside was that the whole time flew by. Twelve weeks at Riverside felt like three weeks. I don’t regret a second and would recommend everyone to have their own experience during a semester abroad.
