I’m Naveen, a Queen Mary English student, who has just finished studying at UC Santa Barbara for the past year. Although it has not been without its challenges, I can state that it has been the best year of my life.  

The feeling I got when I first received my University of California acceptance email was a sense of pride I had never felt before. I must have looked mad as I could not contain the smile on my face as I walked through the O2 outlets.  

I would be lying if I said that the process of getting into a University of California school was an easy one. However, despite the longevity of it, I can look back and say it was all worth it in the end. 

In all honesty, getting onto the plane by myself was one of the hardest things I have had to do. My parents took me as far as they could through the airport, but as soon as I got to security, it finally felt real; I was doing this all on my own. So many worries went through my head that whole plane journey. How was I going to manage, not only in a different city but a whole other continent when all I have known is London? How was I going to cope with sharing a bedroom with a complete stranger? If I didn’t make friends, how would I cope? However, I can look back at my worried self and say that it all ended up being way more than just fine.  

I wondered how as a 20-year-old I was going to find it, feeling like a teenager again because the legal age to drink and go to clubs is 21. However, UCSB lived up to its status of being a top party school! I loved how there were so many events that could pique the interest of anyone. From basketball and soccer games, which felt like professional matches to band shows or backyard parties. Halloween events were not limited to 31st October, it was celebrated the whole month! 

I loved how UCSB had its own traditions that had been passed on through generations. Traditions like throwing tortillas onto the soccer pitch. Also, yearly events like Deltopia (a whole day of parties in the streets) and Extravaganza, where they had artists like Galantis perform.  

For an international student I would really recommend getting involved in the many university hosted events, especially ones hosted by the Education Abroad Programme. This way you can form connections with other international students. This led to me going to Yosemite with other international students for Thanksgiving, which was an amazing experience.  

It still feels crazy to think that I have not only formed strong connections with Americans, but people from all over the world. I have UCSB to thank for the friends that I have made over this year. They made me feel more than welcome and gave me glimpses of what it is like to be a young American; especially after having had the pleasure of staying in their hometowns with them.  

Don’t get me wrong, I also made time for my studies, as education in America is no joke, but the social aspect created the balance that I needed. What I really liked about studying in America is that I did not only have to take classes that were specific to my degree. So, for one quarter I took a history course. After only studying English these past years, I really enjoyed doing something different.  

After having dreams about coming to California since I was a little girl, I knew I had to visit places like Los Angeles and Disneyland. I was grateful for the Turing Scheme as it helped me in being able to travel across California, as there is so much to see. I got to visit natural landscapes like Yosemite, partied in Hollywood and walked along the Golden Gate Bridge. These are just a few of the adventures that I was fortunate enough to experience.  

I know it sounds cliché to say, but this year really did help me to grow as my confidence has significantly increased. Although UCSB was amazing at supporting their students with any difficulties they have, especially those like me with learning difficulties, I have confidence that I can deal with so many more things independently.  

After living in London my whole life, going abroad really opened my eyes to all the opportunities available to me outside of this city. This world has so much to offer and living over 5,000 miles away from home has made me aware that the world really is my oyster.