San Diego State University (SDSU) is located in the San Diego, California. Because of warm weather and its location near the beach, it is a good place to enjoy city and cultural life. Transportation rather also convenient. SDSU was founded in 1897. It constitutes a part of the University of California System and SDSU is the second largest university in the system. Also, the tuition is cheap compared to other universities because of it is a state university. The university has a total of 8 undergraduate departments, which are Arts & Letters, Business Administration, Education, Engineering, Health& Human Services, Sciences, Professional Studies & Fine Arts and American Language Institute. Because of its geographical advantages, academic research in the fields of Genetics, Ecology, and Zoology are active. Popular classes for Korean students are Business/ Marketing and Psychology. 94% of college students come from California and 14% of students were Asian.
Application
All conditions needed to apply for San Diego State University are on the university’s web page (http://www.isc.sdsu.edu/prospective/res_resources.html) but there are certain requirements which are mandatory.
-An IBT TOEFL of over 88~89 or PBT TOFEL of over 550.
- Application for admission
- Program applications (www. Americanlanguage.org/Client/ali/pdfs/ali_application.pdf)
-Send regular course support funds to ALI San Diego State University.
-A copy of your school–leaving certificate or a copy of your high school diploma
-An online database if accommodation is needed
Tuition
The total tuition is 31,800 dollars for international undergraduate programs, 30,800 dollars for graduate programs, and 35,400 dollars for business programs per 9 month academic year. Students may also be able to receive financial aid through various scholarships. More information regarding this can be found at the university’s web page.
(http://www.isc.sdsu.edu/prospective/sdsu_financial.html)
Accommodations
For on campus housing (on San Diego campus), the Housing Administration offers on-campus housing for single undergraduate and graduate students. Over 3500 students live on campus each year. They choose to live on campus for a variety of reasons including convenience, proximity to campus, and the ease of meeting friends. Housing payment amounts will vary depending upon the type of accommodation and meal plan you select. All payments begin with an $800 initial payment due at the time you submit your License Agreement. More information regarding this can be found on the site (http://housing.sdsu.edu/housing)
For off campus housing, there are many options for students to live off-campus in the communities surrounding SDSU. Public transportation to campus is easy for students with the San Diego Trolley.
Student Service
They have an international Student Center. This place offers many services for international students such as academic support, counseling, employment authorization, health insurance, housing referrals, Immigration advising and tutoring/mentoring. All information is on the web page(http://www.isc.sdsu.edu/Current/iscservices.htm).
Their recreational facilities and amenities are excellent. SDSU operates the Aztec Recreation Center which has a gym, aquaplex, bowling and personal training programs.
Learn Language & cultures
SDSU has many programs for International students. They have a weekly newsletter of events and calendar of events which encourages students to participate in the semester’s activities. Also, international students can have many opportunities to study English or the culture of San Diego through many programs.
For example, through the International Student Association, learn more about International Coffee Hours, the Intercultural Peace Village, Scavenger Hunt, International Film Nights and more.
And, through Tutoring / Mentoring program, student can receive help with English and the US culture.
Besides, there are many programs such as the Intercultural Ambassador Program, International Partners Program and the Email Partner Program.
And also they have an English language class. English lessons are given at the International Students Center by English teachers to any student who wishes to learn.
Interview with Hyun-sun Park
The Chung-Ang Herald interviewed Hyun-sun Park, who went to San Diego State University as an exchange student. After she spent one semester at a language school in other place, she spent one semester at San Diego State University living with foreign friends in an apartment near the university.
CAH : Why did you choose this school?
While looking for universities, a lot of people who were exchange students recommend this school. Also, the tuition is cheaper than other universities because it is a state university. In addition, I wanted to go to San Diego because of the weather and people. So I chose SDSU.
CAH : I heard the number of Koreans is small in San Diego. Was there any difficulty in adapting?
It was not so hard. After obtaining information through the internet, I lived with foreign friends. There was no difficulty that I become friends with them because they are pure, bright and first approached me. Some people said that this place boring. The reason is without a car it is difficult to get around because there isn’t good public transportation. But, I lived with friends who have a car. I often went to the beach because the weather is always good. In addition, I didn’t feel any racism. There are a lot of foreigners here because of multiculturalism. So foreigners, including Asians, seemed familiar to everyone and they are used to racial differences.
CAH: Was there any difficulty in your school life? How about your class atmosphere?
My class atmosphere was not different from CAU. But it was too hard to keep up with course content because there are so many assignments and exams. I took classes that had a few people to more than 60 or 100 people. So, at first, I sent a lot of emails to the professors. Professors sent messages of support or some study files or gave me a TA’s phone number. Many professors paid attention to me. Also, there is a building for only TAs. If you get an appointment there, you can get remedial help. I think the college students’ care system is good.
-CAH : Besides the student care system, what is the advantage of the SDSU compared to CAU ?
You need to study careful for each course. Unlike taking 20 credits at CAU, at SDSU you can take only 12 credits. Also, they have exams about once every month though the number of subjects that one can take is small. In addition, team play is impossible due to the structure that too many people attend the same lecture. In addition, the gym has various facilities such as a swimming pool and bowling alley etc. This is really good.
CAH : What impressive things such as food, places, experiences are there ?
San Diego is famous for Mexican food due to its geographic location adjoined to Mexico. And it is very delicious. In addition, SDSU is famous for its party culture, to such an extent as to rank on a TOP 3 list. There are party clubs in the university and parties are held every week. On Friday or Saturday, a lot of people wear party dresses. Also, drinks are very cheap compared to South Korea. So, I remember eating Ramen introduced as a Korean food while drinking wine. Furthermore, on weekends, I went to the beach or volunteered with friends because the weather is good most of the time. I highly recommend this place, because I have only good memories.
CAH : Is there any advice or tips you could give to future exchange students?
I do not recommend taking 2 semesters because of the limitation earning credits. If you are not person who earned pre-credits, you must take classes during vacation.
Also, you must study English before going on student exchange. If you study English before you go there, you could gain more things such as friendship through smooth conversation or taking more classes instead of the language program which forms a great deal of the total credits. You must remember you should not think to learn English there because you’ll be limited in the words you use. I saw many students who had a lot of difficulty in English, and who do not make progress in English by the time they go back to Korea.
Wants of the International exchange Team in CAU
I have many questions about exchange procedures because I went to San Diego after taking a language program in another place. But even though it turned out that the procedures are very simple, the international exchange team at CAU did not know any information. So I want to make things smooth.
If you are thinking about being an exchange student, which is a rich experience and where you can meet warm, friendly people, why don’t you go as an exchange student to a place like San Diego State University?
CAH recommends it! To borrow the words of Hyun-sun, we “highly recommend San Diego State University!”
Hwang Ji-yea
wldpdndrk@naver.com