By: Grace Carballo ‘17

Last weekend I set several alarms for 3 AM Friday morning, strapped on my massive backpack filled to the brim with assorted snacks and jackets, double-checked I had my passport, and hopped into a taxi with my friend and fellow Trojan, Francesca, for our obscenely early flight (saving some moola, gaining some time) to El Calafate in the southern part of Argentina, a region called Patagonia. It may come as a surprise to some of you that your trendy-yet-functional-cold-weather-Patagonia-brand gear is named after a real place, but I can now officially confirm this fact first-hand and let me tell you, it sure is a beauty.

By: Grace Carballo ‘17

I entered USC as an Undecided Major and I hope to exit triumphantly next spring with 2 majors and 2 minors, pending how some of my abroad credits transfer in. Though I do not work in the Admissions Office, I do in fact, know almost all of the majors USC offers simply because I’ve considered declaring most of them.

By: Felicia Zhu ‘17

This past Sunday was the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books, 2016. USC hosted several panel discussions, and homelessness in Los Angeles was one of them. Here’s what was discussed in case you missed it.

By: Grace Carballo ‘17

This week, from April 11 to April 15 is Sexual Assault Awareness Week at USC. The gravity of the problem of sexual assaults on college campuses is starting to be recognized nationwide and hopefully this week will serve as a step towards addressing the issue on our own campus. If you or someone close to you is a survivor of sexual assault, then you know how important recognizing this week is, although it can be difficult or triggering.

By: Megha Gupta ‘18

We land in Baltimore one early, early Saturday morning, and what do we see first but a Trump family? This trip did not get off to a favorable start. After flying for 6 hours from chilly, windy California the first day of freedom after two and a half grueling months of school, I don’t think anybody was ready for what was to come our way in the next week.

By: Grace Carballo ‘17

In my experience, the most difficult times abroad, whether for the culture shock or the homesickness, are during holidays back home. If you would like anecdotal proof, last Thanksgiving I was probably going on hour ten or so working in front of my laptop and a fan on my ISP in Nicaragua when I FaceTimed by family during Thanksgiving dinner. Eating a bag of peanuts and raisins from the pulpería while everyone I missed dearly passed the phone around mid-feast, including my new “brother” Kevin (who’s from Nicaragua studying in my home town), was a less than festive experience.

By: Emily Young MA ‘16

What does Los Angles California and Venice Italy have in common? They both have canals. You can save your money and a very long plane flight by just visiting the canals right here in sunny Los Angeles, Ca.

By: Grace Carballo ‘17

Last Thursday, I did what any productive exchange student would do in between classes- checked my instagram and ate yesterday’s dinner leftovers from my new tupperware. Such multi-tasking was dangerous and nearly caused me to choke on a spoonful of lentils because within the first few photos alone, I realized my fellow Trojans were with Hillary Rodham Clinton.

By: Grace Carballo ‘17

Last week I went to my first asado, which is essentially what in the U.S. we would call a barbecue. After speaking with the Argentinian students present, apparently this wasn’t a “real asado” because it was more of a meet and greet (or meat and greet if you catch my drift) for the international students than the extensive sit-down affair that asados normally are. Still, I’m counting it as an asado because it had all the makings of one (chorripan, which is sausage on a toasted bun, a parilla, which is the big open-fire grill, and lots of sides and ensaladas, thank goodness.)

By: Samantha Romero ‘16

Perhaps you have already dabbled in freelancing or would like to know what’s required to become one. Here are some tips to consider before delving into the world of freelancing.

By: Samantha Romero ‘16

You’re rushing to class only once you are re there an annoying stomach grumble reminds you that you forgot to eat breakfast again. We’ve all been there!

By: Emily Young MA ‘16

My last spring break at USC has come and gone. I posted a picture encapsulating my trip with the caption, “good friends is what brings you pleasure in paradise.” I’m so fortunate to have taken a trip to Hawaii with my USC Beach Volleyball teammates. They are my best friends and amidst competition, we still find a way to have fun.