University: California State University Fullerton

City: Fullerton

Country: United States

Continent: North America

Field of study: business administration

Study type: semester abroad

From the very beginning of my studies, I knew that I wanted to spend a semester abroad in the USA. I wanted to get to know the country and the mentality of the people and, last but not least, to improve my English skills. So the organization and research started a year earlier and when I came across MicroEdu I was more than happy!! MicroEdu is highly recommended! People do a great job and are a great help when you want to go abroad. In my case, Aline always answered all my questions – and they were a lot of questions – patiently and kindly. She also helped me to choose the right university, which wasn’t really an easy task! Here’s a big thank you again:
I already had my acceptance in mid-April, so I had until August to take care of my visa and to get the Learning Agreement from my professors beforehand, so that the certificates I earned there can be recognized in Germany again without any problems. Check jibin123.com to see study opportunities Abroad In California State University Los Angeles.

Then it started in mid-August. At that time I lived in a student residence (hereinafter referred to as UV), which was across from the campus. The advantage is that it is very easy to make friends, as only (and very many) students live there and they are very open-minded and super nice! I shared my apartment with 2 Americans and a French woman and we had a lot of fun together. The UV also has a canteen, in which Mexican food was very often served due to the Mexican chef, a pool, a lounge with a large TV and a fitness room. In addition, the residential complex is very beautiful and very well maintained. In the end I don’t regret living there at all – despite the slightly higher rents – because I was very satisfied with the living situation and it is also right in front of the campus!!

When university started, we had to enroll in our courses, which turned out to be completely chaotic. In the beginning we didn’t get the courses we wanted, but had to run back and forth for 2-3 weeks and literally ask the professors to give us their OK and signature. Because of the budget cuts there were space problems and we Int. Students had to wait until all Americans got their places in order to possibly get hold of the free places. Which can definitely be felt as unfair, since we had to pay a lot more in tuition than the locals. This time was ultimately very nerve-wracking, but in the end I was happy that I was still able to get into the courses I wanted. I took Int. Marketing, Int. Business & Management, Entertainment Business and Consumer Behavior.
Uni life is very different compared to Germany. The level was similar to that of a university of applied sciences and was therefore easier than we are used to here at the university. Despite the extra effort there – 3 exams per subject, plus endless prep and homework – I was able to achieve good to very good results in the end and also had endless free time. So don’t worry at all about whether you will be able to cope there because of the language etc. I had also pondered in advance how it would be like there and whether I would be able to cope with everyday university life. But you get into it very quickly, get to know new people even faster and get used to them. Especially the beautiful ambience on the campus and the business building, which is very new and ultra-modern.

As far as the fun and leisure factor is concerned, I can say that there are many opportunities to experience something. Not in Fullerton directly as this is a small town, but in the surrounding “towns”. For us Int. There were students as a welcome gift from the Int. office of the university a ticket to Disneyland in Anaheim. It’s definitely worth seeing : )
LA and Hollywood are only half an hour to an hour away (depending on traffic) by car, but Universal Studios, Sea World, San Diego and Las Vegas can also be easily reached in a few hours by car. There are also beautiful beaches nearby. Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, and Laguna Beach, just to name a few;) So I never got bored there. Oh yes, if you want to enjoy the nightlife then head towards Anaheim, Newport and of course LA/Hollywood! There are clubs where you can/must really go wild 😉
What is also of interest to you: If you want to buy groceries, etc., a car is not absolutely necessary. There are 2-3 department stores/grocery stores ala Real/Wal-Mart very close to UV and it’s a great way to get there by bike, which you can also rent at UV for $25/semester. In addition, as a student you can use the bus system throughout Orange County free of charge, which, however, is very poorly developed and you only waste time unnecessarily.
Therefore, in the longer term, a car is essential to get out of Fullerton. So my tip to you: If you already know people there (also foreigners, since the Americans ALL have a car, really everyone), then get together and rent one! It’s not expensive and you save a lot of time!

Finally, I would like to say that my semester abroad in California was the best (study) time of my life. Despite the very high costs, I have no regrets at all and if I were financially able again, I would go abroad again. You gain so much experience and experience so much that I am happy to have completed a semester abroad.
Therefore: If you are able, then go out into the wide world and let everything come to you : ) You will not regret it, just as I have not regretted it…