How do you get to and from school and around the city?

If you don’t have a car you can either walk, bike, or take the bus. If you live too far away from campus to walk or don’t have a bike, then there are lots of buses that take you to campus, the marketplace and downtown. The buses are free for UCSB students, if you pick up a bus pass at the beginning of each quarter. The bus schedules and routes can be found online, so it is not too difficult to figure out what bus to take and where the bus is going. You could also make friends with someone who has a car and bribe them with treats, so they will drive you around.

How is the student/teacher relationship different than your previous college(s)?

Since I became a student at UCSB, I have found that the teachers here are more approachable. When I go to office hours, I find that I am asking more questions about grad school, the process of become a mathematics teacher, and advice on research projects more than I am asking about homework problems.

Where do you like to shop for groceries?

There are a couple of markets in Isla Vista, the Co-op and the IV Market. These stores are great because they are so close by, and you can pick up ingredients on your way home from school. There is also the AS Food Bank, located in the University Center, where students can come and pick up free produce and nonperishables. Albertson's is where I do most of my grocery shopping. I go there when I need to shop for more than a couple of items. If you have a car or a really nice friend with a car, there is also a Trader Joe's on Calle Real.

How did you meet your roommates?

The housing process is very easy, if you are looking for university owned housing. All you need to do is fill out a form about what you are like and what type of room you want to live in. I lived in the El Dorado Apartments. I got a single room with two roommates. I ended up living with myself or the first month of school, until one of my roommates showed up. Then a quarter later, my second roommate showed up. I didn’t know either of them until they came to the apartment.

What spots do you think transfer students should know about (on or off campus)?

The Transfer Student Center is a great place to go to study, talk to counselors, and meet other transfer students. Besides the beach, another one of my favorite spots to visit is the butterfly gardens.