By: Samantha Romero ‘16

Welcome 2016 with thousands of Angelenos at a free event hosted by The Grand Park and the Music Center. The event will consist of three music stages, two interactive projections, large art installations, a photo booth and a variety of food vendors. For more information about the event check here…

By: Grace Carballo ‘17

During my last few days in Managua, I had the absolute privilege of celebrating La Gritería with my amazing host family, our last hurrah. The holiday was described to us by our program director, Anita, as a mix between Fourth of July, Halloween, and Christmas, so my expectations were obviously high

By: Samantha Romero ‘16

This fall the Performing Arts Committee hosted Battle of the Band’s. The three competing bands were Mark Adam and the Fine Fellas, Heartwood, and Gypsum.

By: Judy Lee ‘17

1. Know yourself: by this, I don’t mean understanding what you like to eat/what you don’t like to eat/where you like to go/etc. Nothing superficially preferential really cuts it in the real world, and if you don’t know yourself on a deep enough level, you may not be able to organize your life accordingly…

By: Lauren Brose ‘15

We all have our opinions on 2015. If I could put mine into one word, it’d be tumultuous because 1) the word tumultuous cracks me up and I love using it and 2) my year was a riot. My entire attitude about my year and how I see 2016 going can be accurately illustrated in this GIF below. Last year, I wrote a post on resolutions that are possible to achieve. It included self-improvement goals such as loving yourself, trying new things and treating your body like a temple. These are objectives I believe we all should be achieving even after college. But right now, during your glorious college years, your new year’s resolutions should be focused on ways to enhance your USC experience. I came up with 10 solid ones I wish I had someone tell me take on when I was still a student at USC.

By: Judy Lee ‘17

It’s December 31st and you know what THAT means. If you’ve got that special someone for the countdown (or that person at the party you’ve been eyeing), or if you want to start 2016 with amazingly soft lips, read on!

By: Samantha Romero ‘16

Performances by I LOVE MAKONNEN and Miguel, the traditional burning of the bear and a firework show were just a few of the highlights from this year’s CONQUEST. Here is a behind the scenes look into the fun filled event that took place last week.

By: Grace Carballo ‘17

For all those who have studied abroad and those who are welcoming home loved ones who were abroad, it is important to recognize that reverse culture shock is a very real phenomenon; it takes time and patience to readjust to life back in the U.S.

By: Judy Lee ‘17

Stuck in LA for winter break? No problem. Finals are over, and a staycation doesn’t get any better than:

By: Emily Young MA ‘16

One of my favorite shows, Scorpion, recently had an episode that was filmed at USC. After watching, I got to thinking….how many other great TV shows have used USC as a backdrop? The answer? Keep reading to find out!

By: Lauren Brose ‘15

It all started when my dad got his first teaching job in Oahu back in the 70′s. He was 22 and had $2,000 to his name. The simple life was all that interested him and the surf in Hawaii was spectacular enough to make my dad move out there for a year. He suggested that his mother check out Hawaii for herself. She fell in love instantly and today, over 30 years later, my grandma and her husband retired from teaching and live in Hawaii permanently. Naturally, I escape the Southern California “cold” (in my defense, it was pretty cold the days leading up to my departure) and spend my Christmas’s in Hawaii. This isn’t the most traditional form of Christmas considering Hawaii is the polar (pun totally intended) opposite of how Christmas is normally imagined.

By: Judy Lee ‘17

If you’re trying to live off campus this year, you need to have started planning for it by now! But if you’re having some trouble starting out, here are some things you should consider before you sign that lease!