As one of the most populated states in the U.S. with some of the most eco friendly colleges, California offers study abroad students and world travelers a place to have fun and to experience an American adventure.
Students can take part in UC Berkeley’s PLAYgreen festival or become part of Northwestern University’s new green freshmen dorm. A true study abroad USA trip would not be complete without a stop in what is called “The Golden State.”
Studying in California can include:
A summer study abroad program near the beaches of Santa Monica. Why Santa Monica? Because Santa Monica not only has the most beautiful beaches in California, but it also has the famous Santa Monica Looff Hippodrome and Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, both of which are cultural and historical landmarks.
An entire semester abroad exploring the beauty of Lake Tahoe. Known as America’s second-deepest lake, this popular tourist attraction offers visitors everything from ski resorts and casinos to bike trails and cruises.
Joining a study abroad California program gives international students a chance to see the best that America has to offer.
Best Universities and Study Abroad Programs in California
California has the third largest land area in the U.S., which means that is has plenty of room for world-class higher education institutions.
Founded in 1868 and located on a 1,232 acre campus, the University of California, Berkeley is a major research university with over 130 academic departments. Some of the most popular majors include Electrical Engineering, Computer Science and Political Science. It is also the only university in the U.S. to receive top 5 rankings for its PhD programs.
Students interested in art can join a study abroad program at the California College of the Arts, which is the largest non-profit school of art and design in the western half of the U.S. Students can attain undergraduate and graduate degrees in fine arts, architecture, arts and business and administration. The school is also known for its numerous sustainability projects, including green architectural designs.
Students can take classes from professional makeup artists and learn the secrets behind special effects makeup at the EI School of Professional Makeup in Hollywood. A wide variety of classes include Airbrushing, The Psychology of Beauty, Mask Making and Beginning Prosthetics. You’ll have a lot of fun playing with makeup in class, and at night you can tour the streets of Hollywood.
One school with an excellent reputation that offers majors in Arts, Sciences, Architecture, Landscape Architecture and Art & Design is California Polytechnic State University. The university is located on a 6,000-acre campus that is very close to California’s Central Coast beaches, and it also has its own theater, performing arts center and a 203, 605 square foot library named after Robert E. Kennedy.
Other top rated universities in California with study abroad courses for foreign students include:
• Fullerton College
• California State University
• California State University, Chico
• Sacramento State
If you need ideas to help pay for your trip you can visit student budget plans and study abroad scholarships, grants and fellowships.
Guide to Studying in California
Modes of Transportation in California
Since California is a heavily populated state there are many different ways to get from one city to another.
The type of transportation that you choose depends on where you are:
If you want to get to San Francisco from any surrounding city the Bay Area Rapid Transit is the way to go with fares as low as $1.50. Other famous railways include AC Transit and Caltrain.
Golden Gate Transit, which operates the Golden Gate Bridges, offers both bus and ferry rides. Youth, Senior Citizens and the Disabled get 50% off the ticket price.
Taxi rentals are also available in California, but you need to choose your taxi company carefully. Some companies offer luxury taxi cabs while others allow up to 6 other passengers in the cab with you.
You can also rent a car to drive in California.
You can choose any method of transportation you want when studying in California, but just be sure to follow study abroad health and safety guidelines in case of any unexpected accidents.
Currency Exchange Rates for California
U.S. currency is known as the dollar.
Here’s what you need to know about the American dollar:
Coins = 1, 5, 10 and 25 cents
Bills = $1, $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100
You can use a universal currency converter like the one here to compare other amounts of international currency against the U.S. dollar.
Travel and Free Time
When people think of California they usually think of sandy beaches, palm trees, movie stars and popular sports teams.
Here are a few locations that you have to see:
Located off the coast of California, the Monterey Bay Aquarium is the perfect place to view up to 550 different species of marine life, both plants and animals. Animals on display at the aquarium include sea otters, jellyfish, sharks, penguins and more. It’s also the first aquarium in the world to feature a living Kelp Forest exhibit.
You can’t visit California without seeing the architectural wonder that is the Golden Gate Bridge, which is a national symbol of San Francisco.
You’ll be saying “Hooray for Hollywood” when you visit this cinematic location. Besides being full of famous celebrities, Hollywood also has some cultural landmarks such as the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the Hollywood Wax Museum and Universal Studios. Students interested in film should definitely study in Hollywood.
Sacramento, which is the capital of California, is a great place for theater, music and art enthusiasts. The city is home to the Crocker Art Museum, the Sacramento Theatre Company, the Sacramento Jazz Jubilee and the Sacramento French Film Festival.
If you’re old enough to drink wine you should visit at least one of the 300 unique wineries located in Napa Valley.
San Francisco is one of California’s most popular tourist attractions because of its diverse cultures and amazing attractions. Some of the best places to visit are the Museum of Modern Art, the San Francisco Zoo, the famous Alcatraz Island, the Transamerica Pyramid and Telegraph Hill.
When you study in California you always have something to do, so don’t miss the opportunity to study in this amazing U.S. state.
Important Study Abroad California Information
You should always keep a list of important numbers with you in case of an emergency. Also, be sure to check with your school or program for any additional information you might need.