University: UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA SANTA BARBARA
City: Santa Barbara
Country: United States
Continent: North America
Field of study: economics
Study type: semester abroad
Information about the university
The location of the university is excellent. The campus is right by the sea and the infrastructure around the campus is excellent (supermarket, bars, food corners, etc.). The number of students is around 22,250, although this in no way affects the space available in the library or in other buildings. The supervision of guest students is guaranteed at all times with the Extension Student Service. Visiting students have the opportunity to consult the daily available service staff with any problems or questions. Questions and suggestions are thoroughly addressed and competent comments are made. However, the internet connection in the library and in other campus buildings is to be criticized. Although this is guaranteed around the clock. See mcat-test-centers for Deakin University.
From an academic point of view, it can be said that the level of study is high, but the workload is limited compared to the University of St. Gallen (HSG). Achievement of a good final grade is usually – depending on the respective professor – easy to achieve through good cooperation and preparation for the final examination. In this regard, personal contact with the professor is not only recommended, but also required and expected by the respective professors. The examination procedure varies depending on the professor, but basically consists of an intermediate examination and a final examination. In addition, smaller multiple choice tasks are increasingly being given to the students during the lectures, in order to check their presence at the lectures on the one hand and to determine their degree of attentiveness during these on the other hand. The final exams all take place in the last week of the semester, when there are no more courses. The students are given enough time to write and revise the exams (the guideline is set at 4 hours). During the semester, students are given weekly opportunities to speak to the assistant professors and consult them on questions or topical difficulties. In the case of intensive discussion, the focus of the exams becomes clear and one can accordingly concentrate on the essentials during preparation. This ensures an efficient learning procedure.
Practical information
The easiest way to apply to UCSB and pretty much skip the application process is via MicroEdu.com. This website offers help and tips in every respect and facilitates the process from registration to arrival. You will also receive a list of fellow students who are also doing an exchange at the relevant university during this period. This gives you the opportunity to make useful contacts in advance and to help each other with the preparations.
During my stay I stayed at the Tropicana del Northe student residence. This accommodation is mostly occupied by athletes at USCB and offers a reasonably balanced diet throughout the semester, which is included in the monthly rent, among other things. With regard to the cost of living, this accommodation is a good choice because there are no expenses for food. Furthermore, a pool, a laundry room, a study room with printer and PCs, a solarium and a massage room are available for use.
Due to its location, UCSB offers a variety of extracurricular activities. From Yosemite National Park to Las Vegas, there’s a lot to see and do during, before, or after the semester. There is also a lot to experience and see on the university campus itself. With direct access to the sea and many hiking trails, you can linger for a few hours. If you have an experience-oriented personality, UCSB’s Excursion Club is an excellent destination. Membership is $30, which gives access to surfboards, surfing lessons, kayaks, tents, sleeping bags, hiking trips, and more. The university also provides excellent infrastructure with regard to sports. Everything from tennis to a climbing wall is on offer and the university also offers two well-equipped fitness centres. The use of the entire sports facility including the swimming pool and whirlpool is anything but excessive for exchange students with a fee of 30 dollars and offers the right program for every type of sport. The social life at UCSB cannot be compared. The students are extremely open and helpful. Especially with regard to exchange students, a great interest and willingness to help is shown. In general, the exchange experience at UCSB was very positive for me and I benefited enormously from it both academically and personally.