University of Southern California
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By BBA at 9:46 am, Apr 22, 2011
University of Southern California
The University of Southern California (all known as USC) is located
in Los Angeles. California is known for its nice weather. The
weather here is perfect especially for people who are afraid of
freezing cold weather. As an exchange student in fall semester, you
would get a chance to experience every activities arrange for new
students. All the clubs are recruiting as well as sororities and
fraternities. You would also get a chance to participate in one of
the biggest thing for USC students that is USC american football
As a Thai student going to USC gives you an advantage
that is you could join and hang out with Thai people in USC
(USC Thai club). Unlike most places this gives you the
advantages of having someone to help get you settled and ease
your homesick condition. But if you want to improve your
English you can skip this and associate with mostly native
speaker. However a combination of both seems to be the
optimal solutions.
Despite the fact that there are many things to see in California, public
transportation is ineffective. Most people travel by car and it is very hard
to rent a car if you are under 21 years old. But you could still travel it just
might be a little harder than other states. But one of the advantages is
that there are a lot of America’s tourist attraction nearby such as San
Francisco, San Diego, Las Vegas etc.
Academicals aspect of USC is great for your resume. USC Marshall
school of business is in the top 10 business school in the US. This is a great
school to go to if you are business major, fortunately all BBA students are! But
don’t let the ranking scared you. The level of class difficulties is relatively easier
than BBA simply because the grading system of USC. In most cases (not all) if
you are at the mean of the class you will get B+ as your final grade. But don’t
underestimate this you should study as hard as you were as an Thammasat
student despite grading system.
Some students may have heard that the area around USC is unsafe.
That statement is correct. However USC provide you with securities guard
around campus and a free taxi service call “campus cruiser” along with tram to
take you around. So despite the fact that its unsafe around USC, student rarely
need to visit those area so you don’t need to worry about this too much.
Lastly, I would like to say that USC is a great university. The weather is nice. There are numbers of great
places to visit. It is strong academically. And last but not least you will get a chance to broaden your
would!
Pumchanut Ruangchainun
Pinyaphat Aurchaikarn (BBA#17)
“ Never a second, I regret my decision going to USC ”
If you are considering about where to go for exchange student in
the States, USC is definitely one of the best alternative you can ever think
of. The ranking in top US business schools already guarantee the reputation and quality of Marshall
Business School. If you seek for gaining educational knowledge, USC is the one! If you long for perfect
life experience, USC is the one! If you pursue to have the time of your life, USC is the most perfect place
to go!
Good to know before departure
USC is located in downtown area of Los Angeles,
and you will expect quite a good number of Thai
students there, nevertheless they mostly study in
master program. The Californian weather is nice
and warm; only gets cold around November. On
average you will be located in apartment around 20
minutes walking distance from the campus,
and you will count on your own feet a great deal so
bring comfortable shoes! Bring enough money to settle
down for at least 2 weeks as well.
Selecting Classes at USC
USC offers variety of classes, select them well! The classes
in USC are not too difficult as BBA students might find it’s
easier, yet you should expect a lot of group projects and
you will be responsible for all group meeting as it will
come frequently during semester. At last, remember that
USC is regarded as one of the top schools; you will have to
put great effort for good grades!
Food is the BEST !
In your apartment, you will have a shared kitchen with roommates, and if you can cook, you will survive
pretty easy as there are 2 grocery stores nearby. You can find pretty much every kinds of good food in
LA, recommended places are such as Cheesecake factory, Midori Sushi, Gyukaku, Joe’s Carb Shack, Urth
Café, Paulette, In-n-Out Burger and Freebirds, etc. It’s not a surprise for girls to gain weight
Travelling is crucially mandatory
There are many interesting places to go in LA such as
Disneyland, Rodeo Drive, Six flags, Universal Studio,
Santa Monica, Kodak Theater, and many museums.
However, it’s not the best recommendation to go by
bus. You can rent a car, or get a carpool from
friends. Also if you have a chance, there are amazing
cities in California such as San Francisco, San Diego,
Santa Cruz, San Jose, Napa, Sonoma, etc. which
you should not miss! Don’t forget Las Vegas,
Grand Canyon, or east coast such as trip to New
York, Chicago, or Washington DC!
USC The place where journey begins…
Welcome to LA LA LAND! information about each and every off-campus apartments
since they have reserved on-campus ones for their students.
My name is Kasinit Pansuthirangkul or GG from BBA The information given is reliable. The condition of my
17. And I will walk you through some of my experience apartment is exactly like their descriptions.
while joining exchange program at Marshall Business
Also, we had to prepare for Visa, vaccinations and all that.
School, University of Southern California, Fall 2010.
But the instructions are very thorough and in-detail (included
Why did I choose USC? Since I’m very into the American in a VERY long e-mails from Sean, director of Marshall lol).
culture and individualism, and I don’t want to go to countries Alright, phase I has already finished. Begin Phase II after my
that don’t use English as their formal language because at feet stepped in their border. I can’t deny the fact that I was
least if they speak English, I can communicate with them in
immediately in love with LA.
case of emergency or something like that so, the States is my
first choice. USC is like 15-minute away from downtown and about 10-
minute away from the Staples Center by car, if you’re
After considering all the universities in the US, I found that basketball fans, you must know what I’m talking about. LA
USC is the most interesting option because of many factors.
Lakers is their most popular team there. But if you’re not a
First, the weather is great. Sometimes, it can be very sports fan, shopping and sightseeing is your second most
(freaking) hot, but I think it’s better that going out and about desirable option. All the choices, I include in the boxes below.
in cold weather all semester long. Second, California is one
Check them out!
of the most fabulous cities in the whole world. The people
are outgoing and casual and very friendly. And it’s also close Don’t forget the other important point which is to STUDY.
to many other cities, such as San Francisco, San Diego, and USC has very good facilities. Teachers are very nice and kind.
Las Vegas. So it’s good for my travel plan. :) One of the privileges we get is to be able to reserve the seat
in many classes before their students. The campus is not too
After being chosen from USC, they were very helpful for all big to walk around. The places to visit on campus are
the international students in all means. Housing has been included in the boxes below as well. As some of you might
provided by the USC housing website that includes all the
USC
have or have not known about the USC location, let’s put it EXPLORE – get yourself out of the box and explore the
this way. Let’s think of the campus is like a square, 3 sides of outside world. Go see what you haven’t seen, eat what you
them are fine, it’s where most of the apartments and never had. Life is short guys, live it up!
fraternity/sorority houses are but the last side is the place
where you shouldn’t go by yourself. However, don’t panic, HOMESICK – my advice for you is not to think about it in the
USC has a very good security around their campus. There are first place. There are only 5-6 months for you to be there,
make the best out of it. But if you really can’t help it, phone
like security guards standing every block corner 24/7 to
is your choice, call it up! (see phone advice below).
assure your safety.
MAKE FRIENDS – this is very important. USC has many TRAVEL – don’t forget to plan your trip! Domestic flights are
way cheaper when you book early. I recommend you to
friendly and helpful Thai seniors there but I recommend you
not to stick with them too much. Since the main point of check with priceline.com (they have both flights and hotels).
going abroad is to learn other cultures, grow up and at least Last but not least, I hope you enjoy going abroad no matter
improve your English. Other exchange students are who you you are going to USC or any other places in the world. And I’d
should look forward to. Start with your roommates, for like to give thanks to BBA THAMMASAT for giving me the
instance. Go hang out with them, they are fun especially the most precious opportunity. THANK YOU. :)
Europeans. Based on my experience, they are so friendly and
very nice!
TAKE CARE – don’t get yourself in trouble, that’s all I want to
suggest you guys. I know for fact that your heart almost pop
out after knowing that you could be far away from home and
have full freedom (been there, done that). BUT! Freedom can
be two-way sword for you guys. So, behave yourself and stick
with good friends.
PHOTO DIARY
GET TO KNOW USC
Must-Visit beaches Must-Visit restaurants
Must-Visit malls
Attractions in LA Gyu-kaku *** (Jap BBQ)
Santa Monica Beverly Center Furaibo (Jap)
Venice beach *** The Grove – Nordstrom,
Hollywood walk of fame Cheesecake Factory
Malibu farmer’s market etc.
Hollywood hill BCD tofu house (Korean)
Etc. 3rd Street Promenade
Disneyland Paulette (Macaroons)
Century City
Universal Studio Sprinkles (Cupcakes) ***
Six Flags Rodeo Drive Karnda (Thai)
Barneys New York
Griffith Observatory Jitlada (Thai) ***
Around campus Saks Fifth Avenue
ETC. Kagaya (Shabu) ***
restaurants/supermark Melrose Trading Post flea Shabu House (Shabu) ***
ets market *** Daikokuya (ramen)
Melrose Place *** Wakko (katsu)
General Fact about USC Superior Fashion district *** And SO MANY MORE…
Ralphs Desert Hills Outlet mall
UCLA rival University Village ***
USC mascot is Tommy University Gateway
Trojan
Well known for football On campus
Fraternity and Sorority are restaurants/snacks Phone Advice
like hi-so people there. Be aware of..
Canteen around Bookstore Family plan it’s a
(they even have chef in
Lemonade *** Fasten your seatbelt even monthly service, need
their houses)
Another café opposite to you sit in the back contract (have contract-
RICH PRIVATE school full of
the gym If u get caught by police breaking fee, can be
party-loving people
Seeds for salad, for not fastening your waived in some cases),
At night, you can call
sandwich, snacks and seatbelt, J-walking, normally around $60-70
campus cruiser which is
drinks exceeding speed limit, monthly. Same service –
like taxi for USC people –
underage drinking ($300). service so-called data
housing, I recommend
Night Life Homeless plan, weekend and after
Regal Trojan (same
Blackout LOL 9pm, cross-service free
standard room size but live Frat parties (free drinks) e.g. T-mobile calls AT&T.
only 2 people, others have 901 (closest to school) Rebtel for international
4) and Annenberg (I lived Velvet Room (Korean) *** calls. You can check their
there) Nariya (Thai) website. (50 satang per
GREAT PLACE to be! Soi 56 (Thai) minute!)
Cork Bar (downtown) Skype
ETC. Phone cards buy at Thai
town
*** = highly recommended
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