<p>Hi everyone, i am a Commerce student (Economics and Finance) from the University of Auckland, New Zealand and am planning to go on an exchange program to UCLA for the fall quarter (september to december) of this year. I applied to UCB but i dont think i will get accepted there.</p>
<p>The university of Auckland is a nice university with new buildings, and has a business school ranked in the top 50 in the world (probably in the late 40's eg 48th), but there isnt any culture to the university and no on campus living (it doesn't have the best social life to it). </p>
<p>I am also a talented drummer/musician and am considering checking out the music scene in the USA as the scene in NZ lacks big time.</p>
<p>If i get into UCLA (i think i will be accepted) should i go? </p>
<p>I know this is a hard question but i was wondering if people could voice their opinions about UCLA and what they think about it.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone</p>
<p>James</p>
<p>absolutely; international experience is well worth while. LA has a great music scene, and UCLA has an excellent biz-econ program (note, but not undergrad business per se).</p>
<p>One plus factor for Berkeley-San Fran is that public transportation is more plentiful than it is in SoCal. LA Club scene is hot, but tends to be spread out.</p>
<p>I think you should. If you hate it, it's only for a few months, and if you love it, you can always move there after college or something. Either way, it should be a great experience.</p>
<p>Is the money going to be a problem at all, though?</p>
<p>UCLA is nothing if not hopping with social life. My daughter is a freshman down there and she always has way too many choices of things to do.</p>
<p>Go for it! I think you'd like UCLA. There is a new shuttle bus that takes you from LAX to Westwood (UCLA):
LAX</a> FlyAway - Westwood Station</p>
<p>My girlfriend's had a number of exchange student roommates over the years at college (due to the special interest housing she's in) and said all of them loved their time while visiting. I say if you can do it, then there's no reason to.</p>
<p>While you're here, if you're into the outdoors, be sure to get some other people together and make a visit to the national parks in southern Utah and the Grand Canyon. One of my friends in undergrad was an exchange student from Switzerland, and the last month before he left, a bunch of other exchange students and himself bought an old truck and used it to drive across the country stopping everywhere interesting worthwhile. They had a fantastic time, and his stories actually influenced me to drive cross-country three times.</p>
<p>No the money shouldn't be a problem, my parents have offered to pay :D!!</p>
<p>Transportation sucks hardcore, but UCLA isn't far from places like the Whiskey and the Troubadour where you can find amazing local and international talent playing in a close playing space (tickets for bigger bands does suck on occassion... damn scalpers!). Also noteworthy, I go to HS in nearby Santa Monica and I would say half of everyone I know is either in a band, plays an instrument, or is a groupie for one of the local bands.</p>
<p>I'll bet you'll loooooooveeeee UCLA</p>