California Dreaming

Hope everyone has had a good week. I'm struggling with reading Machiavelli for my Political Philosophy class at the moment, so this is a welcome break. These philosophers are so interesting..but it is one thing to read them but you must think whilst you read them. What do they really mean? This is the challenging part. For me, it is like pieces of a puzzle and you have to wire the arguments together..really quite time consuming! It's interesting because it's something i've never done before, new skill really, and you can see where a lot of political thought now, comes from. These philosophers are dark though, they tend to have a really pessimistic view of human nature, which I try not to have!

Another thing, it is actually so funny in class every semester whenever there is a mention of Britain. People always look round to see my reaction, especially if the Professor is not particularly complimentary of Britain...some Professor's will say 'no no Helena not you, but England is (queue negative comments)' and everyone is looking at me for a reaction. I do tend to play it up a bit, because I truly do not mind what they say. So for instance, I will say 'WHAT!!!' just to see how the Professor will react. Or if the Professor talks so lovingly about the British Royal family it is so amusing, so many Americans absolutely adore them.

This week I went to a luncheon for the Foundation of SBCC. This year I was lucky enough to be awarded a merit-based scholarship. This has been really quite helpful for tuition costs. SBCC is extremely reasonable for what it offers, but any money saved now can go towards the UC which is a lot more expensive! My donor actually wasn't at the luncheon but it was a good opportunity to meet and thank the donors.

I am trying to keep my energy levels high, I think it gets to the end of the semester and you do feel a bit tired. My mum keeps encouraging me to take vitamins and she is probably right. Thanksgiving will be a welcome short break, a couple of my housemates are staying here so we will spend the Thursday at home. Yes, we will be cooking, updates will be posted..we shall see how it goes! Then on the Friday we are going down to LA and spending Friday there, then on Saturday going to the USC vs UCLA Football game. We went to one last year, which was one of the highlights from the year. Never seen anything like it, there were over 70,000 college students in the stadium, really really good fun. Last year, we were caught in a huge downpour, so uncharacteristic for California, hoping this doesn't occur again.
Video of brilliant 16 year old Lorde, below on the right! Grammy should be hers!

One comment/question people always make to me is, why are you here? Or 'you're so brave!' I was writing my personal statement and I had to answer this question. I guess for me, California has always been the dream but my ambition was also fueled by a few emotional home events. It was a really distressing few years and this in a way was my escape. But I wanted to go to a UC since I was 13, my mum went to Berkeley and the opportunities that come with going to a school like that, cannot be compared to anything else. I didn't think it was particularly brave, I just thought it was what the right thing for me to do. I guess I didn't really think enough about what could go wrong here, because if I had done, I probably would never have gone! When I speak to my friends at home at University, their experiences are totally different. I feel like the experience i'm having will be like nothing else I ever do again. So it is extremely important I did it at age 18 to ensure I could start opening doors. Human Rights is a really competitive area and I need anything that will set me apart really!

Flashback from travelling with a close British friend

Still Sunny!

Literally, one of the best things about being in California is the amazing weather. Compared to back home where my friends and family are shivering, I can wear flip flops day in day out. It really is so nice when you have to get up really early on Friday for class, when no one else has class, but it is warm and sunny outside. Just makes it a little better.

This week, has it's probably best described as 'Research Week'. I have two research papers due to the middle of next week. So here we go push on through for those to be done, and then bit of a break, and finals. I was thinking about tips for papers, I think everyone has their own methods. Key is really to do the preliminary research, look through database journals online using the Luria Library website. My mum always told me to just keep it tight, keep it slick and straight to the point, don't go off on tangents. Oh and of course, check your work and back up your argument! I don't really mind writing papers, I think they are just time consuming. But one weekend out of sixteen for papers is really not bad!


Cannot believe Christmas is just round the corner. If you want to get excited for it take a look at this English advert for a department store.

Definitely going to try not to get too overtired from doing all this work, think my body was beginning to suffer after last week. Really important to rest and relax too! One of my greatest flaws, is my failure to relax so I'm definitely going to go for a run on the beach this weekend. I used to run all the time last year, when I had less classes, this year it's been to busy too. Actually really miss it, such a nice thing being able to run on the beach, where else could you say you could do that! Oh and yes, even though it is a British stereotype if you do want your body to feel better, drink some Green Tea.. lifechanger.

In some good news, my TAG application to UC Davis was accepted. So that's really nice to know the hard work is paying off. Also, so great to hear about Dr Eskandari winning the 'Professor of the Year' award. He is truly a lovely man and a great professor, thoroughly deserved! How lucky are we to have someone of that level at City College.
 http://www.independent.com/news/2013/nov/14/sbcc-professor-wins-national-award/

Lighter note..

On a somewhat lighter note, I am so glad we have a three day weekend! Last night, I had a truly amazing time at Avicii in the Hollywood Bowl. This is my way to relax. I cannot emphasize enough how great it is that LA is close! Hollywood Bowl is repeatedly putting on great stuff. Luckily, it is never that expensive, can just about afford it on the student budget!

I had a bit of writer's block earlier this week. You probably have to be in the right state of mind to write, and it just wasn't at all. Anyway, my roommate helped me out, she said "Why don't you write about places to eat in Isla Vista or Santa Barbara?" To be quite frank, I don't eat out a lot at really fancy places...but now and again I do. However, my favorite place in whole of Santa Barbara is In N Out Burger, literally whenever I return home, I genuinely miss it. I cannot understand why they don't have it in Europe, or the rest of America..never tasted fast food like it! There is a running joke in my house about how much I love it. Especially, as last year I did have about five In N Out's in a week!

But for the healthier stuff. I really like Silvergreens, it is really fresh and yummy! There is one in Isla Vista which is ideal. Top tip for living out here though is using this https://sbmenus.com/ then you can get delivery from a range of places. Top favorites are probably, 'Sam's to Go' delicious sandwiches, 'Domino's Pizza' literally addicted at the weekends and 'The Habit' (Fast food again, I know!). This is probably one of my favorite things about America, in England it's very rare to find any delivery places or 24 hour fast food!
However, my favorite sit down places are 'Sambos' for breakfast by school, 'Backyard Bowls', 'Pascucci'- for Italian, 'Jane' or the 'Beachside-Bar- Cafe' on Goleta Beach, the view is amazing. Have a great week!

Paul Rusesabinga

Friday Class Weather!

I hope everyone has had a good week. It's been a mixed week for me, maths is causing me a few issues. I hope it gets resolved so I can successfully transfer. If not we will have to go back to the drawing board!

But it has been a remarkable week in other ways. The visit of Paul Rusesabagina, for me was truly amazing. I actually have had such a keen interest in Rwanda for a few years. In my High School, we had to write a dissertation on a world issue we deeply cared about. For me, it was always Rwanda; after seeing Hotel Rwanda, and a number of documentaries on this atrocity. I wrote around 15,000 words and a presentation, on 'Who was responsible for the Rwandan Genocide?' It was not as clear cut as the question may seem. Delving into it, it seemed that the West had a large role in allowing one million Rwandans be slaughtered, over 100 days. Whilst the West turned away, luckily, real heroes like Paul, in the midst of unimaginable horror saved 1200 lives. He let the refugees stay at the Hotel he was general manager of.

There was something really powerful about seeing the real Paul speak. I was struck by his humility, his ability to see good in the face of evil, and his bravery. I could not believe how when he was ordered by a militiaman to shoot his own family, in the face of this horrifying situation, he tries to reason, to speak to this man, offer him food and drink. This reliance on using the power of words to resolve conflict, instead of the UN or any resources was spoken about a lot. It is also scary how accurate the film is to real events. I also was shocked Paul was basically still running, he lives in exile in Brussels but is having to relocate to America because he is not afraid to speak out. I was under the false impression, that Kagame's government in Rwanda was rapidly improving things for Rwandans. Whilst this may be true on the one way, Paul spoke about Kagame's role in the conflict in the Congo which is still occurring, and has claimed over 7 million lives. It seems incredible, that a man so calm and collected, is having to continually run because of threats from Kagame's government even in Europe. For me it was really thought provoking. It was also interesting as he himself, still cannot understand why his neighbors and friends turned on one another, in such a manner for this genocide. This is a question I have always struggled with, how can a great majority of a population be completely desensitized/dehumanized and commit such acts of horror?

Regardless, I encourage you to watch Hotel Rwanda, it is not easy watching. But, I had no idea so many people were unaware of the Rwandan Genocide, for many it really is the modern day Holocaust. I always think, the more people know what happened, and is continually happening in the Congo, the less the West can ignore it. This event has always been a large reason why I have been so desperate to go into conflict resolution/human rights issues. So it is truly incredible someone like Paul could visit! 

Thank you!

This week my blog took off like I never thought it would, reaching over 1000 hits in a day. So thank you very much for all those who took a look. It is still work in progress. I am hoping as time develops my topics continue to help you delve into life at SBCC.

In other news, SBCC International Ambassadors are putting on a Soccer tournament. So if you are a budding soccer play, collect a packet from the International Office on campus. Or if you don't fancy playing, please come down and watch on the 23rd and the 24th of November. We will have raffles, lots of fun games and free food! I will give you more details closer to the time. Make sure you've liked this https://www.facebook.com/SBCCambassadors and details will be posted there first.
Update: FACEBOOK EVENT POSTED 
 https://www.facebook.com/events/1432235563662648/?previousaction=join&source=1


I can't believe that we are in the 11th week of the semester already. This semester has been quite tough academically, and actually on a personal level.  The first few weeks back here I missed home a lot. However, I don't know what it is about this place, but every morning is never a drag. I might have an exam or something stressful that day, but it is never a feeling that I don't want to be here, or I wish I was somewhere else. Literally, for years at home the cold weather made me just want to stay in bed all day, that's a thing of the past now! It's been a great weekend, Halloween here is huge and such fun. Back in England, we barely celebrate so this is such a good opportunity to dress up.

"How will I fulfill my potential and achieve happiness"
This is on the SBCC Campus-
Poor quality picture apologies!
But that's what it's really about!

I met with a transfer counselor this week, for the first time and it was really insightful. It really makes all the difference when someone is willing to take the time to go through everything, thoroughly, and give you honest advice. At the moment, I am working on my UC application, this has to be done by the 3rd week of November. i'm sure i'll have to do it a lot more in the future. Luckily, if you are part of the Honor's society, the teachers that are part of this are willing to read over your personal statement, and also advise you. Seems that there is a lot of help at SBCC, if you make sure you reach out to the transfer center and the Honors Society. This is one of the greatest lessons I learnt, help is everywhere but it is up to you to get it. It won't just come to you! I know also that there are Personal Statement workshops, none of these worked with my schedule, but a friend of mine went to one, and said it was really helpful. If you are trying to transfer, and have the grades and the extra-curricular activities, strive for a great personal statement too! I'm pretty reserved, and the personal statement is meant to be really selling yourself, which I am finding quite tricky! But this is all a learning experience, and I better get good at doing this kind of thing soon.

I am absolutely obsessed with the UK artist Hozier, he has such a nice tone to his voice. His latest single has just gone viral. The video is quite striking as it has directly raised the issue of institutionalized discrimination against the gay community in Russia. Lastly, my friend asked me 'what is the weirdest experience you've had in America?' There actually have been a bunch, just because you don't realize how different it is here! But, by far it is the first class every semester or whenever I first participate, heads swivel and people just stare. It is really quite odd, but you learn to laugh at it, and then the Hermoine Grainger comments come!

Perspective Brits

I know a lot of people at home have asked me how I went about going to American College. If you are interested here are some outlines of what you need to do. It does really vary from College to College. But also, these are just brief guidelines, what I would like to emphasize more is what it's like on a personal level.

1) Research Schools you like: There are hundreds of Colleges out here, ranging from two-year to four-year. If you decide to go to SBCC you can transfer into a four-year, for a fraction of the price. If you have a dream school you would like to go to or literally no idea, i'd have a look at 'The Best 378 Colleges'. Here, you can get a good idea of what the schools out here are like, and make a short list of ones to apply to. As there are just so many schools here, you might want to narrow it down by location. For UK students California and New York are the most popular areas. SBCC's location is like none other, it is literally on the beach. The research process is really lengthy but it is really important you gain as much information as you can, before deciding whether or not to apply. Look at the schools' websites for a better idea of what the school is like. But stay away from forums about universities online, in most cases they are completely inaccurate! If you decide to go to a two-year, like SBCC you can then transfer into your dream school after two years. Your dream school may include the UC's listed in 'The Best 378 Colleges', SBCC has a guaranteed transfer admission with them. These include UCSD, UC Davis, UCSB and UC Irvine. 

2) SAT or No SAT: Some Universities will require you to take the SAT or ACT, this is their version of testing standardized testing, it is multiple choice. There are various test centers across England for SAT testing. Some Universities do not require SAT's or ACT's. SBCC does not require SAT's for international students but of course you will have to have completed your A Levels. Personally, I did begin studying for the SAT on top of my A Levels but found that it was a lot of work to manage. I think it is manageable with good time management, or just go somewhere where you don't need to do it! A Levels are enough work themselves! Another side note, unlike the UK system you will not have a conditional offer for American Colleges. It is either a yes or a no, this takes the pressure away from you when you do your A level exams, you will just need to complete them, at C grade and above.  

3) I think it is really important to consider the whole picture on venturing to the other side of the world. On the one hand, it has given me a whole new life, with brilliant opportunities, met amazing people and learnt so many new things. But you are away from home for four months at a time. On the plus side, FaceTime and Skype are brilliant. Your family can always visit and the breaks here are super long. I think it really depends on you as a person. I wouldn't say I was particularly confident or really independent before here, I just took the risk and went with it. But of course, it is not for everyone. The lifestyle here in California is very different from England, it is a lot more relaxing with the beach around you, but you do have to work hard here. I would say my first two years have been at an A Level standard for the majority of classes. Even so some are easier than this, but some are definitely much harder than that. What you gain here, is that you have a lot more classes than you would in an English University. The Professors are available during office hours, to speak with you and help you. What is so great is that in some classes I have literally reevaluated any thoughts I had before. So you really are gaining value for money. As I mentioned before, SBCC is very affordable, tuition is cheaper than at home. However if you opt for a four-year straight away this can be pricey. It is worth looking into scholarships, sport, academic or others are available. The thing to bear in mind when looking at UC's is that these universities are some of the best in the world, so you are spoilt for choice! 

4) If you do decide to apply to SBCC, the application deadline for Fall Semester is June 1st. http://www.sbcc.edu/apply/apply_to_college.php

If you need any more information or anything please just comment and I can blog about this. 

Here are some more links for extra info, that you might find helpful. 

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/educationnews/10334140/US-universities-seeking-to-recruit-more-British-students.html

http://www.fulbright.org.uk/study-in-the-usa

http://international.collegeboard.org/study-around-the-world

Midterm Nerves

Don't let midterms do this to you!

I haven't been able to blog as of late due to so many exams! I was actually discussing with a friend the other day, how I am a huge sufferer of exam nerves, as is he. From my experience, most people are absolutely fine about exams. However, I am the complete reverse! I am paralyzed with fear, I really want to do well and this does eat away at me. Exams here are less intense than my British exams, but I still put a lot of pressure upon myself. So if you are in the same boat, here are some tips.

1) Breathe and Believe- Everyone always says just breathe, relax, it will be fine. For some reason this never sinks in for me! But what I have been trying to do, is plug my headphones in for a few minutes before I go in and just breathe slowly in and out. Music really helps too! And most importantly, you have to believe that you can do this, you will do well. I try to tell myself again and again, 'Helena it is going to be okay, you do know the content'.

2) Acceptance- I accept that i'm going to be nervous prior to the exam, and for about the first five minutes of the exam. It is my body pumping adrenaline, and preparing to either fight or flight. What is really important, I find is to literally just go with the flow! I know it is going to be horrid, that I might not think I can go to the exam/take the exam, but I will and it will be okay. If you continually tell yourself this, it does go in.

3) Plan- With the knowledge that the first few minutes, I will be a bit of a mess my thoughts are not going to produce a great essay from the outset. So, I try to spend the first few minutes planning what the essay is going to entail. Which points am I going to make, just so i'm focused. My favorite English teacher always said if you do not plan, the essay is all over the place. Especially, if you are nervous this is a good way to ease yourself into the exam.

4) Perspective- I think the cause for most exam nerves is pressure. If one thinks that an exam such a make or break situation, it seems so much worse. I am guilty of always doing this! Truth is, most times even if you do not perform there are other opportunities to bring your grade up. Also it is just an exam! Yes it is important, but it is not meant to cause you overwhelming stress. It is simply to test you on how well you've understood what has been going on. (I write this and need to take this advice myself the majority of times!)

5) Do something fun to celebrate! All that hard work you have put in, all the days of stress, reward yourself. Last night, myself and the roommates went to see Katy Perry and Ellie Goulding at the Hollywood Bowl. It was absolutely fantastic. This is the best way to let your hair down and pat yourself on the back! Doesn't need to be as elaborate as a concert but enjoy yourself! Take a break!