Since most testimonials describe the time in SB and I would sign most of them so directly, I will focus on the time before.
Application phase:
Applying via MicroEDU is very easy. If the corresponding English test, I have done the Toefl, is passed, nothing stands in the way. Regarding the toefl itself, I would like to say that even if you weren’t that good in English at school (I always had a 3 at the gym), you can do it with a little practice. I can highly recommend the book “Barrons’s TOEFL iBT” which offers many and very “practical” examples, especially the CD that comes with the tool simulates the toefl test very well. Oh yes, by the way, the examples on the CD and in the book are the same… So in principle it is enough if you just buy the computer CD on eBay or something like that, for example. Once this hurdle has been overcome, there are basically only formalities between you and your stay abroad, since all applicants are actually accepted by MicroEDU. In addition to some forms from MicroEDU, which, by the way, will also be happy to help you fill out them ;-), the next bigger step is the visa for the USA. But even this is not a problem if you are not a criminal or something. With me they didn’t even want to see the letters I had brought with them. Oh yes, the “interview” in the embassy usually takes place in English: D You will receive information about the visa after your application or acceptance from MicroEDU by email. With me they didn’t even want to see the letters I had brought with them. Oh yes, the “interview” in the embassy usually takes place in English: D You will receive information about the visa after your application or acceptance from MicroEDU by email. With me they didn’t even want to see the letters I had brought with them. Oh yes, the “interview” in the embassy usually takes place in English: D You will receive information about the visa after your application or acceptance from MicroEDU by email.
Otherwise, I can highly recommend booking the flight as early as possible, as these are then logically a bit cheaper. I would definitely take a look at statravel.de and orbitz.com regarding the flight. Usually the flight directly to Santa Barbara is not much more expensive than the flight to Los Angeles…
From the airport you can easily take the bus (~ $ 1.25) in the direction of SB Downtown, the SB Hostel, which is located pretty much directly on the beach, is about 15 minutes’ walk from the bus center and greyhound station in SB Downtown. A taxi from the SB airport to SB downtown usually costs ~ $ 40, so the bus is worth it: D If you decide to spend the first few days in the SB hostel, it might be worthwhile to fly to LA and take the train from there (Amtrak) to go to SB, as the Amtrak station is right in front of the hostel… you will be spared long walks with luggage in SB. Otherwise there are a lot of hotels and motels in Goleta and the surrounding area.
In addition to looking for an apartment, your list for the first few days should include buying a bike and a SIM card or a cell phone. Housing and bicycles are reasonably priced at santabarbara.craigslist.org. In principle, this page should always be your first point of contact if you want to buy something used and cheap. Isla Vista, the student town right next to the university, is usually quite expensive and usually it is a shared room and not a shared apartment / studio, but a very short way to the university and almost daily parties are guaranteed. It is quite common to live in Goleta, but SB Downtown, where I lived, is not to be despised either. There you have a street with State Street that offers everything (shops, restaurants, bars, clubs, etc.) and the rents there are usually not that high. From downtown to the UCSB there is an extra express bus (24x) which takes about 25 minutes. A little tip about this, if you arrive before the start of the quarter, just ask in the UCSB Extension whether you can get your bus ticket earlier: D But you can always ask one of the very nice and helpful extension employees for all other matters. Regardless of which part of SB you choose, a bike is always worthwhile and since you can sell it again in the end via craigslist, the “bike rental” is only a few dollars for a quarter: D The only provider of pure SIM In my time, cards were offered by t-mobile (paseo nuevo mall), otherwise you buy a cell phone with an integrated SIM card, which is not much more expensive. Get more information about University of California Santa Barbara on educationvv.
Studies:
When studying via the UCSB Extension, a distinction is made between university and extension courses. The extension courses are only for international students and do not take place on campus. Accordingly, it can happen that you only sit there with Germans. Personally, I have only attended courses from the regular UCSB courses and would recommend them that way. On the one hand, you learn English better because you are usually the only German in the course (of course, it depends on the subject, in Economics there were supposedly many Germans, in Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science, where I attended courses, I was always the only one). In addition, the regular UCSB courses are actually recognized at the home university without any problems. Otherwise, studying in the USA is different than in Germany, you regularly get homework and projects in each subject, which also count towards the final grade. Furthermore, there are midterms, so that you really have something to do continuously. So if you don’t want to neglect your free time, I would recommend taking three courses…
Additional:
If you have decided to apply for an American driver’s license at the DMV, you should do that right at the beginning. As I said, I was there for a quarter and accordingly the I20 form for the visa is issued. According to the DMV employee, this period of approx. 3 months is very short because, in addition to the written test, a number of formalities have to be completed which supposedly can take a long time. He at least advised me against it, as it could happen that the driver’s license will no longer be delivered to me because the visa is expiring.
