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Lifestyle

Staying Safe During the Holidays

by Megha Gupta December 24, 2020
written by Megha Gupta

The Covid-19 pandemic has altered everyday life during this past year, and the holidays will be no different. With a drastic rise in cases over the last month, it is more important than ever to follow CDC guidelines to stay safe. Although the holidays may look different than past years, there are still many ways for families to enjoy the season while staying safe.


CDC Recommendations

The CDC has consistently recommended wearing a mask when out in public as well as staying six feet apart from each other while out. Wearing a mask is one of the most important ways to protect yourself and your family members from contracting the virus, and staying six feet apart is an extra protection measure to prevent spreading the virus. While many holiday traditions may not be held due to the pandemic, there are still some holiday attractions operating under safe conditions. Sites such as Christmas lights or Christmas villages have required visitors to wear masks while visiting in order to protect themselves and their employees. They also have placed markers around the attractions to encourage staying six feet away.

At the Atlanta Botanical Gardens lights display, guests are required to wear a mask during their visit and are encouraged to remain six feet away from others to ensure the safety of their employees and others.

Zoom Communications

Zoom has become the primary video app used during the course of this pandemic to communicate with friends and family while in quarantine. With the upcoming holidays and the unchanging situation, using Zoom is the safest way to see extended family. In the absence of large family gatherings, Zoom provides an easy way for family members to enjoy the holiday together and still feel in the holiday spirit. Zoom replaces the hustle of rushing to the airport and the stress of scheduling and rescheduling flights during one of the busiest times of the year. Its a stress free way to see your family while enjoying yourself and saving money.


Online Shopping

Malls become the most crowded during the holidays as everyone is rushing to get that perfect gift for their loved ones. However, they provide the worst environment during the pandemic because of their insulated indoor buildings. In order to stay safe, online shopping is the best way to order holiday gifts while avoiding the risk of contacting Covid-19. Almost all store have a website buyers can easily access to complete their perfect wishlist and have their items safely delivered to their homes. This prevents crowding inside the malls and ensures an easy alternative and stress reliever to having to rush around the mall.


Holiday Gatherings

Every year, families enjoy visiting friends at holiday parties and throwing get togethers to celebrate the upcoming season. This year, it is unsafe to have large gatherings of people for holiday celebrations. Large gatherings don’t encourage the CDC recommendation of staying six feet apart, and being close together in an enclosed space provides the biggest risk of spreading Covid-19. Instead, spend the time with you close family members at home watching movies and cooking holiday meals together. Take the time to relax and get into the holiday spirit by only celebrating with those you live with or quarantine with.

Large gatherings are very dangerous during the pandemic. Instead, spend the holidays with the loved ones you live with and celebrate the holidays by enjoying a nice meal and trying out new recipes.

December 24, 2020 0 comment
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LifestyleLos AngelesTravelWorld

How to Figure Out if Studying Abroad is Right for You

by Victoria Delamora December 13, 2019
written by Victoria Delamora

Studying abroad is something many people see as the best part of their undergraduate experience. It can definitely be very daunting, because being in a foreign country where you know no one is a really scary thing. However, if you do decide to study abroad, it will definitely be something that you will never forget. If you have any interest whatsoever in studying abroad, there are some things that you should consider and figure out. 

Should I Study Abroad?

The first thing that you should do once you have any slight interest in going abroad is decide if it’s something that’s actually right for you. There are many factors to take into account. The first thing you should think about is if studying abroad would be financially possible for you, as some programs are much more expensive than UCLA. Once you figure out finances or are at least informed on the different variations of prices, you should decide whether being in a country you’re not familiar with is something you are comfortable with and ready to embark on your own. You should also take into account whether or not studying abroad is right for your major or if it will deter your path to a 4 year graduation. Sometimes studying abroad can make it easier to graduate in four years, but in other cases it can slow down your pace. Another thing to think about is whether or not you actually want to leave the UCLA campus and surrounding area. It seems like a trivial factor to take into account, but if you’re really invested in the Los Angeles lifestyle and couldn’t imagine yourself being away from the things LA has to offer, then studying abroad might not be for you. 

When and Where Should I Go?

Photo by Salomon10 Flickr
Photo by Mitch Altman Flickr

If you ultimately do decide that you do want to study abroad then there are some more decisions that you need to make. These decisions need to be made pretty far in advance, so figuring out what your plan is quickly is crucial. To put it in perspective, applications for Winter 2021 open as early as January, with some programs being first come first serve.  The first thing you should do is decide where you want to go. There are a multitude of options that UCLA offers through UCEAP including but not limited to Argentina, Australia, Botswana, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, and the United Kingdom. When deciding where you want to go you might want to think about how familiar you are with the language spoken in the area and the weather you would be happy with. It might also be worth it to take into account whether or not the place you are going to is convenient for travel to other areas and countries, as you may want to travel when you have ample free-time. 

Once you decide where you want to go, the next step is to decide when you want to go. There are options for one quarter, a semester (you would miss either Fall Quarter or both Winter and Spring Quarters), or a full year. Some programs have limited options for times you can go, while others give you more leeway to decide which parts of the year you would like to miss. Figuring out when you want to go abroad also affects your living situation for when you will be at UCLA. You will have to figure out finding an apartment and subletting with people who will be there while you will be away and vice versa. This is a little more of a logistic problem, so you will need to talk to your friends and see if renting an apartment together would work out. Although, if your friends do have different schedules and an apartment with them doesn’t seem to be the best option, there are always advertisements for sublets on UCLA Facebook pages. 

What Now?

Once you figure out these first crucial steps, the next thing to do is to go to the UCEAP office and figure out the logistics and actually begin to do the real planning and put everything into place. This includes figuring out how course credits transfer for your major and learning more about the cost of your trip and the room and board options you will have. This is a perfect time to learn more about the finances of studying abroad and really solidify your decision to go.

Studying abroad seems like a lot of planning, but if you are organized in the way you do it and do everything in advance, you will have no problems and will be one step closer to a truly incredible experience. 

December 13, 2019 0 comment
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LifestyleTravelWorld

Spring Break at Walt Disney World!

by Ally Chou May 13, 2019
written by Ally Chou

Spring Break 2019 was a wholesome one for me! My friends and I spent four days in Disney World, Orlando. The six hour plane right took us straight to Florida at 6 in the morning and that is where I want to begin sharing my trip with you.

At our check in (we stayed at the Disneyworld Animation Studios Resort), we were given wrist bands that, when tapped on a detector, would allow us to use fast pass tickets, get food, buy souvenirs and also enter our resort rooms. It was a very convenient piece of technology that is free of charge if you buy the Disneyworld package.

Photo by Ally Chou

Our first stop was at the Magic Kingdom, where everyone has to take basic photos of the castle. Disneyland’s castle in Anaheim was under construction the last time I visited, so I was happy to see that the Orlando Disney World’s castle is still in tact! We went on the classic rides from Pirates of the Caribbean to Peter Pan. It was a delight being reminded of nostalgic childhood memories when I visited ten years ago. Almost everything looks the same — it’s just that we are older and we feel like more children are running around everywhere!

Photo by Ally Chou

The second day we went to Animal Kingdom! Out of all the other parks, Animal Kingdom was the one with the most intense rides — but also with the longest wait times. It consisted of Dinosaur Land, Asia, Africa, Pandora (from the film Avatar) and more. The “scariest” ride — aka the one with the highest drop — was the Himalayan Mountain ride that goes backwards and drops from a really high point. In Dinosaur Land, there is also a ride that parallels Anaheim’s Indiana Jones rollercoaster, which is just moving forward with a lot of speed. The most unforgettable experience was at Pandora, where a stimulation allows us to feel, smell and see what it is like to explore the land of Na’vi (from Avatar). However, the ride was almost a 2 hour wait — and that was lucky because sometimes it would be a four hour long wait.

The third day was spent at Epcot Center. This park had the least rides, but the most to take pictures at, to splurge at, and to walk around in. Epcot reimagines countries from all continents next to each other. Its map is also shaped in a circle, as if the visitor is walking through the world and exploring all countries. All of the staff were from the respective countries that they were situated in — i.e. in the England region of the park, there would be British staff members. Each of the regions (France, England, Canada, Japan, China, Norway, Germany, etc.) would contain merchandise from their countries, Disney characters whose stories originated from those countries, a few shows, and most importantly — AUTHENTIC food! We tried the fish and chips from England and they were indeed very crispy and tasty. There is even boba in “China”! If you are just at Disney to experience the rides though, you might want to skip this park because there are none that are fast. The only one for the adrenaline junkies is the Test Track, which is sponsored by Chevrolet, and involves you hypothetically “testing out” a car (it’s a cool ride!).

Photo by Ally Chou

Our final day (half day) at Disney World was at the Hollywood park which is quite ironic because the streets — Sunset, Grand Ave, etc. — are ones we see everyday! There are a few replications of iconic buildings and street signs from Los Angeles. Most of the shows are based off of Disney movies such as Star Wars, the Incredibles (which was an area still under construction when we visited), the Little Mermaid, Finding Nemo and more. Like Epcot, there aren’t many exciting rides, with the exception of the Rock n’Rollercoaster, which is a fast ride that goes upside down.

For any of you who want a great spring break next year, consider Disney World! You wouldn’t want to miss it for the cute merchandise! You could go out to the city at night too, or even take a trip to Miami since you’re there.

PS. Apparently at Disney, if you want to switch a pin that you bought with a staff member’s, they have to exchange it with you!

May 13, 2019 0 comment
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LifestyleLos AngelesTravelWorld

Memorial Day Road Trip Destinations

by Victoria Delamora May 10, 2019
written by Victoria Delamora

With Memorial Day coming up soon, it’s time to think about what you’re going to do with your weekend of freedom. This three day weekend is the calm before the storm in the quarter system, as Week 10 and Finals Week are not so far off from Memorial Day. So grab some friends, gear up, and plan a road trip to one of these great destinations in California.

Newport Beach: Newport is a beach town that is only an hour and a half drive from campus. It is known for its great local beaches and Lido Marina Village, a great area to walk around which many people find themselves going to for the sole reason of taking an Instagram photo. If you’re an Instagram feind, then this is the place for you!

NEWPORT, Photo by Adam Reeder, Flickr Creative Commons

Santa Barbara: Santa Barbara is just an hour and a half north of campus. It is a small coastal town known for its shopping, wineries, hiking, and Spanish architecture. Santa Barbara is a very quaint town and is definitely a place to check out if you want a relaxing Memorial Day weekend.

SANTA BARBARA, Photo by Michael Theis, Flickr Creative Commons

San Luis Obispo: SLO is three hours from UCLA and is near Pismo Beach. The city is known for its “college town” feel and beautiful scenery. It has great hiking trails and other opportunities for recreation. There is also a famous Bubblegum Alley on a street in the downtown area.

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Photo by emdot, Flickr Creative Commons

San Diego: San Diego is two-and-a-half hours from campus and is definitely a place you should visit if you have not before. It has beautiful beaches, great restaurants, and several other interesting spots, such as the USS Midway Museum, a historic aircraft carrier with exhibits, and the Gaslamp Quarter.

SAN DIEGO, Photo by Phil Dickinson, Flickr Creative Commons

Big Bear: While Big Bear is known as a popular ski and board destination during the winter, it transforms into a lake community during the Spring and Summer. It has all the typical lake activities you could dream of: kayaking, jet-skiing, boating, as well as hiking, zip lining, and so much more. This would be an ideal Memorial Day weekend destination, as there is something for everyone, and you have the added bonus of being able to stay in a log cabin.

BIG BEAR LAKE, Photo by Don Graham, Flickr Creative Commons

May 10, 2019 0 comment
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Arts and EntertainmentClub HighlightsLifestyle

UCLA Roundnet Team 5th in the Nation

by Lila Hearn April 22, 2019
written by Lila Hearn

UCLA’s Roundnet Club teammates Jason Rhoads and Ryan Baillargeon are ranked fifth in the country, after proving themselves in several tournaments this year.

Jason Rhoads (furthest left) standing next to partner Ryan Baillargeon

Roundnet (also known by the popular name Spikeball) has gained popularity at UCLA and all across the nation as both a casual beach game and a serious sport. It can be played almost anywhere, needing only two teams of two and a Roundnet set. Junior Ryan Baillargeon is the founder and president of UCLA’s Roundnet Club, which has gained plenty of popularity in just two years since its founding. He and sophomore Jason Rhoads make up the team Musty-er (the duo’s team name is a tribute to the team name of their good friends from Cal Poly SLO, Musty, who are also nationally ranked).

Jason Rhoads practicing at Sunset Rec

The sport fosters a real sense of community. The UCLA Roundnet Club practices weekly at Sunset Rec, is open to anyone with an interest in the game, and has even applied to be an official club sport next year. More experienced players gladly help those just starting out, and several teams of two compete in tournaments representing UCLA.

Traveling members of the UCLA Roundnet Club

Rhoads describes the sport to those who have never heard of it as “like volleyball, but the change of possession happens when the ball hits the net, as opposed to going over.” His favorite part of the game is the community of players, and the “fun competitive vibe” of everyone involved.

Ryan Baillargeon (furthest right) practicing with friends at Sunset Rec

UCLA Roundnet is only getting bigger. Anyone interested in playing is encouraged to contact Ryan at [email protected] 

April 22, 2019 0 comment
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Lifestyle

Bruin Apartment Hunting: Atrium Court Apartments

by Ally Chou April 20, 2019
written by Ally Chou
Photo Source: www.atrium-westwood.com

It’s the beginning of apartment hunting season! Many Bruins are currently trying to find affordable apartments that are close in proximity to UCLA, but with such a high demand, it’s often difficult to find the perfect match. Let’s start finding apartments early! I’ll be sharing a few of the popular apartment complexes around UCLA and review them through resident interviews. This week, we will be reviewing Atrium Court Apartments, one of the more popular complexes situated at 10965 Strathmore Drive.

For those who don’t know where it is, this apartment is on Strathmore, up the hill past Landfair and before Glenrock. If you go past the fraternity houses, and over a steep hill, you will arrive at Atrium!

Their overall rating on apartmentratings.com is a 4.3. The floor plans consist of 2 bedroom 2 bathroom apartments, 1 bedroom 1 bathroom apartments, and 2 bedroom one bathroom apartments. I’ve toured one of their apartments before, so I know that the apartments are relatively large, with a big living room area, and spacious bedrooms. The bathrooms are also very new and clean which is definitely a plus! Many of the rooms are also nicely furnished, with futuristic thermostats that make the living space much more homey.

Sylvia Chang, currently a third year financial actuarial math major, has been living in Atrium Court for two quarters already. She lives in a 2 bedroom 2 bathroom complex with three other roommates. When I asked her what she really likes about the apartment, she said its proximity to campus. She also claims that there are sufficient amenities in the complex such as the gym, a hot tub, and a rooftop that has a beautiful view overlooking Westwood. Despite being relatively close to the frat houses, Sylvia claims that the surrounding area is quiet. There are also nice managers who say hi to you everyday, and most importantly, it has a reasonable cost for a nice apartment. From what I have found out from the residential manager of Atrium Court, a 2B2B apartment costs approximately $4500.

Annie Chung, also a third year student studying art history, enjoys Atrium for its cleanliness and uncarpeted floors. She also likes how each unit has a nice balcony that is a great place for friends to come over, or just to chill. Annie also thinks the maintenance staff are very nice and friendly.

E-Ming Huang is a fourth year neuroscience major. This is also his first year living in Atrium Court, and I asked him what he doesn’t like about his apartment complex. For a 1B1B he is living in, E-Ming considers $3900 monthly rent to be too expensive, and this, according to him, is one of the cheapest prices. There is also no laundry machines in each apartment, but several communal ones which means he sometimes has to wait in line to do laundry. No utilities or WiFi are included in the rent either, which tallies up to approximately $200 more on top of the rent. However, E-Ming does think that the maintenance is well done.

All in all, it seems that Atrium Court has decent reviews, despite it being on the slightly pricier side of the apartments in Westwood. Stay up to date with BruinLife’s blogs if you want more upcoming apartment reviews!

April 20, 2019 0 comment
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Health & FitnessLifestyleVolunteer

Saving Lives – Giving Blood at UCLA

by Lila Hearn April 11, 2019
written by Lila Hearn

It’s a fact of life – happiness can be achieved through helping others. As a college student, it can sometimes be hard to find meaningful ways to benefit other people. The life-saving act of giving blood has been made incredibly easy by the UCLA Blood and Platelet Center located in Ackerman Union right across from the Bookstore. It can be a little intimidating, especially for people who have never donated blood before, but ultimately it’s quick, easy, and saves people’s lives. Here are five things you should know about giving blood on campus.

Photo by: Jake Choi

Who can donate? Almost everyone, but there are some restrictions. Generally speaking, if you weigh more than 110 lbs and are feeling healthy, there’s a good chance you’ll be good to go, but it’s important to be sure. For the complete list of requirements, click here.

Is it safe? Yes! The equipment is sterile and completely safe, so there is no chance of contracting any infection by donating.

Photo by: Jake Choi

Giving blood is very easy to fit into your schedule. It takes less than 15 minutes. The Center asks you to set aside an hour, but most of that time is spent relaxing and eating snacks (that they provide, of course). 

Photo by: Jake Choi

The UCLA Blood and Platelet Center does not pay people to give blood, donations are made strictly on a volunteer basis. This ensures that everyone wants to be there, and is happy to take a little time out of their day to help others. If saving lives isn’t rewarding enough in itself, however, there are some small incentives working as a nice ‘thank you’ for coming in.  Movie tickets, meal vouchers, and promotional items like t-shirts and water bottles are among the list of things you could receive for your time.

Photo by: Jake Choi

Does it hurt? Pain is hard to quantify, but this is a really common question. The short answer is yes, it does hurt a little bit, but it’s a small pinch that lasts about one second, NOT the entire time the blood is being donated. 

If you have the time, or are looking for ways to help others, giving blood at the UCLA Blood and Platelet Center is a great opportunity. Everyday is a great day to save lives. 

April 11, 2019 0 comment
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FoodLifestyleLos AngelesTravelUncategorized

Dates in Downtown LA

by Sarah Seran Bae April 8, 2019
written by Sarah Seran Bae

Over the past few years I’ve lived in Los Angeles, I realized that there are so many things to do in Downtown LA other than barhopping. I started to make a list of places to go with my family and friends who would visit from overseas or out of state and now that list is three pages long!

Here are a few ideas for the next time you want to be a tourist in your own city.

Walk from Grand Central to The Broad

Photo by Sarah Seran Bae

Grab a quick bite at the historical Grand Central Market. There are so many food vendors that you could choose from, including diverse options reflecting Los Angeles’ rich cultural variety like German, Thai, Chinese, Mexican, and so much more. I recommend DTLA Cheese or Eggslut. When you’re done eating, you can take the famous Angel’s Flight trolley on South Hill Street to start heading towards The Broad Museum.

Angel Flight is a railway that is 117 years old and costs $1.00 to get to the top in less than a minute. In the past, it connected the tenement communities of the city, and after being closed for awhile, it’s a can’t miss spot! Alternatively, you could take the never-ending stairs if you’re feeling like doing a mini workout.

Photo by Sarah Seran Bae

When you get to the top, it will be a short walk to get to The Broad museum.

Make sure to reserve tickets online (it’s free) ahead of time to avoid a line! The Broad has some of the most influential modern art from artists like Ragnar Kjartansson (beautiful music installation), Cindy Sherman, Andy Warhol, Ed Ruscha, Roy Lichtenstein, and of course the instagram-worthy Robert Therrien & Yayoi Kusama.

Insider tip: If you take the glass elevator down to leave, go back up the stairs to get a sneak peek of where the museum stores their art! This place is called “the vault” and it’s pretty cool to look at.

Arts District and Little Tokyo

On the eastern edge of Downtown LA is the Arts District and Little Tokyo. These two locations are for those who truly love galleries and boutique stores. I love visiting this part of the city because there’s always something inspirational that you wouldn’t expect to find. The last time I visited, I went to Hauser & Wirth and was deeply moved by the works of Alexander Calder.

Photo by Sarah Seran Bae

Nearby, there is also a cute store owned by a married couple called Poketo. This place is one of my favorite stores near Little Tokyo. They have cute stationery, accessories, and home items that are sensible and aesthetically pleasing.

If you’re feeling hungry, I recommend Wurstküche for German sausages and dessert at The Pie Hole in the Arts District. If you’re willing to wait in line, the ramen at Daikokuya is phenomenal and so is the matcha ice cream at Tea Master in Little Tokyo.

And for those of you over 21 and do want to go barhopping…

Here’s a list of a few favorites:

  1. EightyTwo (drink and play classic retro games)
  2. Perch (french restaurant & rooftop bar)
  3. Birds & Bees (romantic speakeasy)
  4. Prank (walk-up cocktail bar)
  5. Breweries: Angel City Brewery, Arts District Brewing Company, and Mikkeller DTLA
April 8, 2019 0 comment
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FeaturedFoodInterviewsLifestyle

Maya the Vegan

by Bao Yi Tan April 5, 2019
written by Bao Yi Tan

Photo by Bao Yi Tan

This week’s blog post will be an interview with a fellow Bruin and good friend, Maya. She is an English major and she is a second year at UCLA. She has been a vegan for 2 and a half years and stands strongly in support of it.

Why do you like food?

Maya: It is a human thing that we have to eat to survive, you know? It’s the most human thing, makes us human. The fact that we can choose what to put in our bodies is very interesting. It makes it a part of life. I have fun when I eat!

When did you choose to become a vegan?

Maya: I started 2 and a half years ago. I was vegetarian for 4 years before. I always knew I wanted to be a vegan, but I also didn’t know. I thought “I am a vegetarian — I could never be vegan”. I was one of those people who didn’t think I could do it. All of sudden, it was easy. “F**k this shit,” I told myself, “I am not eating anything”. The date was 7/7/17 when I first started.

Why are you a vegan?

Maya: I am a vegan for a couple of reasons. The first is because of love. Animals have heartbeats, veins, and eyes that speak things that words cannot. We have the ability to spend time and energy with animals and pets, so we should treat all of them with the same level of respect. We shouldn’t be judging which animals are better than others, letting some get killed and brutally consumed while protecting others.

There is also a health incentive for being vegan. It’s simply better for my body to not put animals inside of it; eating meat is proven to lead to heart disease and America is a great example of the consequences when a proper diet isn’t followed. So I stay as natural and green as possible for my mind, body, heart, and the hearts of other beings.

What places would you recommend for vegan food near UCLA?

Maya: Grocery stores! It is so fun to make your own food, and when you are a vegan the possibilities are endless. Any combination of beans, rice, vegetables, fruits, oats, and more can turn into a great meal. Experimenting with food and seeing what you can come up with, DIY-ing things on your own, is the best part about it.

When I do eat out, Thai and Indian restaurants are very accommodating to vegans and always have fantastic options.

Any last advice for your vegan/non-vegan fans out there?

It’s important to be aware of the fact that we have the ability to be socially conscious and spiritually progressive in many of our daily lifestyle decisions. We can understand that it is morally incorrect to be consuming living entities that have the capability to love. Our habits should reflect that understanding.

April 5, 2019 0 comment
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Travel

Hong Kong could be your next destination

by Bao Yi Tan March 21, 2019
written by Bao Yi Tan

During spring break, you might have some time off. If you are thinking of traveling somewhere internationally, it could be nice to travel someone east or as Nick Young would ask, “What about us taking an adventure east?” in Crazy Rich Asians.

Reconnecting with your roots

If you are Chinese-American and you have not been to Asia in your life, it would be a great time to go to a Chinese country to experience it for yourself, such as modern Hong Kong. The weather is a little chilly and not too hot at this time of the year. There is the convenience, safety, culture, and food. Of course, it would be ideal if you can speak Cantonese and Mandarin, as those two languages are mainly spoken (but locals prefer to speak in Cantonese than Mandarin). People do speak English here and you can get an English menu if needed in some places. Hong Kong preserves its old buildings, but there are many new buildings as well. Walking through the streets will be charming itself, but having the opportunity to interact with the people will be cherry on top of the trip.

You can never get enough of food

In America, everything is far apart and there is a need for a car. Food is everywhere, but portions are huge and there is a need for doggy bags and that would probably be dinner tonight and lunch tomorrow. In this sense, there are lesser opportunities to try different food in a period of time. However, this isn’t the case for Hong Kong. The portions are smaller and there is a huge food culture here. Instead of going to the movies at Westwood or Santa Monica for a beach day, people plan to go out for food. One day it could be Dim Sum (a style of Chinese cuisine prepared as small bite-sized portions of food served in small steamer baskets) for lunch, then a famous Hong Kong style cafe like Mrs Tang Cafe for dinner. Then there is also the option for snacks like fried chicken and other small eats due to walking around a lot – starting at Goldfish Market to Sneaker Street and eventually, Lady’s Market could last for hours. The probability of getting hungry will be very high and when that happens, there are many food shops around to get yummy snacks from.

There is a lot of things to do

As I implied before, there is a lot of walking to do as everything is close to each other. The MTR (short for Mass Transit Railway) is very convenient for both locals and tourists. People barely drive in Hong Kong, even when they do have driver’s licenses. It is too expensive and unpractical to own a car in Hong Kong. So it isn’t a shocker when there are many things to do in Hong Kong. For instance, there is a lot of shopping to do. There are sneakers, imitated branded bags, goldfishes, and clothes to get from. There are a ton of varieties and when one is tired, there are plenty of beauty parlors to choose from as well. There is just an abundance of everything here. I would definitely recommend getting a massage when you are tired of walking and shopping. There is also the option to play darts for HKD 5 (about USD$0.64 at Joe’s Billards & Bar) at night or taking the ferry to see an amazing city view – filled with lights everywhere.

The Final Closer

The air ticket to Hong Kong ranges from USD$400-$700 during spring break and it is a round-trip ticket. It is not too expensive if you are planning to go on an international trip. The food and transportation will be affordable and living at hostels would be a great way to save some more money too! It’s an option, but I would definitely recommend a trip to Hong Kong and one week will be plenty of time to explore this beautiful island.

March 21, 2019 0 comment
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Alex Lewis, 2nd Year Political Science and Cognitive Science Double Major
Photo by Ariana Fadel
”I’m more likely to cry when I hear other peop ”I’m more likely to cry when I hear other people’s stories and I rarely cry for myself.” Nancy Zhang, 1st year, Computer Sciene Major. 
Photo by Catherine Wang
"I love poetry" Yasmin Siyad, 1st year transfer, P "I love poetry"
Yasmin Siyad, 1st year transfer, Psychology major
Photo by Catherine Wang
“I'm away from home, but at the same time very c “I'm away from home, but at the same time very close. This hot breeze reminds me of summer nights where I would play guitar and sing with my brother. The start of spring motivates me to go out, have fun, and take care of myself; it gets me excited for summer.

I started taking photos during my junior year of high school, which was one of my worst years. Photography helped me in my hardest moments because I instantly found my surroundings more beautiful. Honestly, I never found the sky to be beautiful until I started taking pictures. It sort of popped out of nowhere and completely changed that year around and who I am now." Elizabeth Pinos, 3rd year, Psychology
Photo by Anna Yang
“One time Lady Gaga threw her jacket at me.” M “One time Lady Gaga threw her jacket at me.” Maria Roman, 3rd year, American Literature and Culture Major
Photo by Catherine Wang
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