火爆社区

Nestled among California鈥檚 coastal redwoods, UC Santa Cruz鈥檚 campus 鈥渋s one of the most unique, beautiful ecosystems I鈥檝e ever seen,鈥� beams an environmental science major, noting that it鈥檚 鈥渁 great resource for internship and job opportunities.鈥� It鈥檚 also a boon for professors, who can 鈥渢ake time to teach students the importance of being outside and how it can impact their learning.鈥� It鈥檚 not unusual for courses to include 鈥渢aking class hikes and nature journaling trips,鈥� while also offering 鈥渆xtensive labs鈥� and 鈥渞ich discussions.鈥� Whether outdoors or in, UCSC presents 鈥済uest lectures and activities that allow for further engagement in many different areas of learning.鈥� As for academic support, 鈥渢utoring is widely available on campus no matter the class, and there are online tutoring options available that make it very accessible to those that may live off-campus or with transportation issues.鈥� For all the support systems, as well as a number of professors who offer a much-appreciated series of 鈥渓ow stakes tests and essays instead of a big final and midterm,鈥� students emphasize that 鈥淯CSC is a very academically competitive school,鈥� particularly in the prized technical fields. Students who actively pursue and value STEM research enjoy 鈥渋nternships that I can do hands-on work with and earn credit for.鈥� Interdisciplinary teaching is also enjoyed, like the 鈥渁mazing鈥� resources of the Coastal Science Campus and the agroecology department鈥檚 farm.

The University of California鈥擲anta Cruz isn鈥檛 defined by any one thing, except for perhaps the way it鈥檚 鈥渆xtremely open and welcoming鈥� such that there鈥檚 the freedom to be anything.鈥� (Okay, and maybe an environment that is 鈥減erfect for outdoorsy folk.鈥�) You can see this uniqueness in the way students 鈥渆xpress themselves through clothes, gender, hairstyle, [and] speech. There is a very laid-back and accepting mentality that all of us share.鈥� And yet, for all the different communities on campus, there鈥檚 a sense that those at UCSC 鈥渉elp each other and stand with each other in times of need.鈥� That extends to the body鈥檚 activism 鈥渋n social justice and climate change cause鈥� and 鈥渟tudent clubs and organizations that promote social justice as well as inclusivity.鈥� As one student jokingly puts it, UCSC feels like 鈥渓eftist Twitter, but real,鈥� a group of 鈥渧ery carefree, very creative, and very caring people with an anti-establishment lean and strong sustainability goals.鈥�

My college experience in the redwoods is magical, marvels one student. 鈥淭he school is gorgeous and the coastline that surrounds us is second to none.鈥� This 鈥渂eautiful forest setting,鈥� ideally located 鈥渂etween the mountains and the beach鈥� means that many students 鈥渁re active in outdoor hobbies including surfing, rock climbing, backpacking, and mountain biking.鈥� Students are equally interested in preserving the environment they so enjoy: 鈥淓veryone here cares about nature and the environment,鈥� and the UCSC Climate Coalition is 鈥渁mazing.鈥� Others appreciate culturally based organizations such as Hillel and the Chinese Student Association. 鈥淚t can be difficult to meet people without joining a club or group simply due to the nature of being a larger school.鈥� Like many in California, UCSC has been affected by a housing shortage, and students wish for 鈥渕ore affordable and guaranteed student housing.鈥� Nevertheless, the school grounds provide 鈥渢he perfect getaway when things get stressful鈥� as well as the setting for plenty of college fun. 鈥淚 enjoy the forest raves as well as the arts and crafts activities,鈥� says one student. 鈥淭he Adventure Rec provides amazing programs for students to gain outdoor skills and experiences.鈥� As for off-campus experiences, students 鈥渓ove to go downtown and hang around, go to the beach at Sunny Cove or the boardwalk. They love to just bask in the California sun.鈥�

UC Santa Cruz鈥檚 Career Services creates hundreds of opportunities each semester for students looking to hone their skills and explore their options. On-campus internships through the Chancellor鈥檚 Undergraduate Internship Program come with mentorship, a leadership seminar for credit, and a scholarship of $8,200 toward school registration fees. Students may also apply to spend a quarter in Sacramento, interning with students from other University of California campuses. It鈥檚 easy to find federal, regional, and on-campus research gigs through an online database where students can search by major. Plus, Career Fairs, informational sessions, and Meet & Greets throughout the year ensure that students have plenty of chances to network and research potential fields.