My stay abroad in the USALife in Santa Barbara

I have always dreamed of spending a semester abroad in the USA. During the course of my studies, I was able to fulfill this dream. The organization was time-consuming, but it was more than worth it. In September 2023, I went to the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), where I stayed until December 2023. This semester abroad helped me a lot both academically and personally.

Universität von Kalifornien, Santa Barbara

UCSB is one of the most beautiful universities in the USA. It is located directly by the sea and offers several beach access points. The campus is huge - you may have to walk up to 20 minutes to the next building. There are numerous food and coffee options on campus, including two Subway outlets.

The choice of courses is large and ranges from yoga to data science. When spending a semester abroad, you should make sure that the courses you take match the requirements of your home university. I took three courses: Business Development and Sales, Foundations of Business Leadership and Entrepreneurship. A clear difference to studying in Germany is the type of assessment: in the USA, regular assignments are common, which are also graded. This has the advantage that the final grade does not depend on just one exam. At my dual university in Germany, on the other hand, there are exams at the end of the semester, which form the overall grade. Overall, the lectures in the USA were exciting and very interactive.

Life in Santa Barbara

Life in Santa Barbara is like that in American movies. I lived with a total of 18 girls in a house right by the sea. There were four of us in my room. That experience alone was incredible. I lived in Isla Vista, a college town right on campus. My walk to college was only about 15 minutes.

There are lots of leisure activities in Santa Barbara. You can go to the beach and surf one day and hike in the mountains the next. A trip to Santa Barbara itself is also easily possible and offers many wonderful experiences. I never got bored.

Santa Barbara is also an ideal starting point for weekend trips. Los Angeles is only about 1.5 hours away and Las Vegas is about a five-hour drive. Various national parks such as Yosemite Park and the Grand Canyon are also within easy reach and definitely worth a visit.

Conclusion

I can only recommend a semester abroad to anyone. It doesn't have to be the USA; the Cooperative State University offers many other opportunities. A semester abroad promotes personal development and helps to build an international network. In the short time I spent abroad, I made great friends for life and always had a reason to travel.