While I’ve lived in big cities like Seattle, Atlanta, and San Francisco in the past, I’ve never really explored them. Hence, after accepting my offer to come to USC, I made a vow to myself to get out more and see the city. Thankfully, I’ve been able to do so by taking advantage of the free UPASS so that I can traverse Los Angeles via metro and buses at no cost. I’ve put my pass to good use, visiting friends and experiencing the different cultures in LA. Here are some of my favorite travels.
On a couple trips, I’ve visited a plaza nestled in K-Town, boasting small shops and different eateries. Not only does it have free parking (a major win in itself), but it also houses a sizable H-Mart on its ground level! H-Mart, a sanctuary of ramen packs, never fails to entice me—I often find myself selecting a different pack each visit. Moreover, the watermelons they sell there are exceptionally flavorful and crisp, something I rarely find when I buy watermelon elsewhere.
Over the summer during a program here at USC, we rode the metro to Santa Monica. Having moved from the Midwest, it had been quite some time since I had seen a genuine beach, so I was ecstatic. With a small group of friends, we explored the boardwalk, swam in the water, and played beach volleyball. We also visited a nearby mall, and since the Barbie movie had just been released at the time, we got to see Santa Monica fashion dipped in pink. It was a delightful excursion to a seaside enclave so close to USC’s campus.
While on an adventure through LA with my boyfriend, we visited Universal Studios. It was my first time to an amusement park in quite awhile, and I knew its close proximity to USC would facilitate more visits (it did). My absolute favorite ride there has to be the Mummy, which we rode multiple times despite my initial anxiety-ridden encounter. I enjoyed riding all the rides, and appreciated the opportunity to take the Studio Tour and see some famous movie sets.
For my WRIT 150 class, I signed up for the Community Engagement subject, which entailed volunteering for 12 hours as a part of my coursework. I volunteered with a group called Francisco Homes, which was conveniently situated close to campus. This proximity allowed me to walk though the southern neighborhood of USC and gave me opportunities to attend many events and meet myriad residents! It also gave me valuable insights into the diversity of the LA community.
I’ve enjoyed the many adventures I’ve had around LA yet what excites me the most is the wealth of experiences still waiting to be discovered. I look forward to continuing to fulfill my promise to myself that I will never stop exploring!
