From October to December 2009 I spent a trimester at California State University East Bay (CSUEB). I chose this university because for family reasons I preferred to be close to San Francisco, the California State Universities, despite the fact that they are state institutions, enjoy a good reputation within the states and the value for money CSUEB appeared very cheap in the first place. I saw and experienced a lot during my stay abroad and took great impressions home with me.
Location and terrain:
The university campus initially impresses with its location on a hill, which offers a wonderful view over the large San Francisco Bay and the surrounding towns. However, this view also has its price, because you are only surrounded by the “small town flair” of Hayward and have to take at least an hour’s drive or travel time on local public transport to get to breathtaking San Francisco. At this point, it should be added that the public transport network (BART) is poorly developed in contrast to German conditions and the timetables are unfavorably short, especially on weekends. So if you are planning a trip to San Francisco on the weekend, you should make sure that you get back to the campus before 6 p.m., or approx. Holds $ 60 for a return taxi ride. In my experience, given the vastness of the American road network, I generally recommend renting or buying a car. Without a vehicle you are simply lost in the States! Even the next larger supermarket could only be reached after a 30-minute bus ride. In terms of distance, we are talking about completely different dimensions than those that are common in this country. You should be clear about this! Even the next larger supermarket could only be reached after a 30-minute bus ride. In terms of distance, we are talking about completely different dimensions than those that are common in this country. You should be clear about this! Even the next larger supermarket could only be reached after a 30-minute bus ride. In terms of distance, we are talking about completely different dimensions than those that are common in this country. You should be clear about this!
According to toppharmacyschools, the campus itself is really nice. It is incredibly spacious, impresses with numerous well-tended green areas, parks and recreational opportunities. The library may not be completely up to date, but it is large and has numerous computers that allow free access to the Internet. There is also a large gym and fitness studio on site, which can be used at certain times of the day for $ 30 per trimester. The cafeteria (called: Dining Commons) is large and new and, through a franchise company, supplies all students with very varied food by American standards (large salad buffet, fruit bar, themed evenings, etc.) via a franchise company. So you were able to eat a balanced and healthy diet, without necessarily having to put six pounds more on your hips after your stay. ;O)
So if you don’t mind quiet seclusion and the small town flair, or if you are planning to get a car anyway, you can spend a great time at the CSUEB. However, if you don’t want to miss out on the big city and extensive nightlife, you should definitely consider a university within San Francisco.
During my stay at CSUEB I lived in the so-called “International House” (called: I-House). This building is part of an extensive apartment complex on the edge of the campus called “Pioneer Heights”. The entire complex is very well maintained and green. It has a laundry, lounges, internet access and a small gym that is available free of charge. The apartments are clean and comfortable. They have a small kitchen (unfortunately without a stove in the I-House), a common room (without TV) and two bathrooms. As the name suggests, the I-House is inhabited exclusively by international students who are mainly Asian fellow students. However, a considerable number of German fellow students always live there (during my stay approx.
I shared my apartment with 5 other exclusively Asian girls, which – even if all the girls were always very friendly – admittedly not always that easy, as cultural background, lifestyle and views sometimes differed greatly. However, I have learned a lot and am now much more familiar with dealing with these people and the Asian culture. So you are definitely taking a piece of experience with you!
Those who generally prefer contact with American fellow students and are perhaps looking for a little more party life are probably better off in “Pioneer Heights”. Here you would mainly live next door to American students, which I would have preferred if I had known before my stay. After all, you come to the States to improve or expand your English skills. So if you decide on accommodation on campus that is much more convenient and, above all, safer from the point of view of the connection alone! is as an off-campus, then feel free to inquire about the availability of a room in Pioneer Heights and not in the I-House.
Course program / offer / organization:
Already after the arrival and the first organizational briefing at the CSUEB, it became clear that the financial crisis had also severely affected the American education system. Due to savings measures, a not inconsiderable number of courses were canceled which we were not informed about before our stay. Some fellow students whose major was Entrepreneuship could not take a course in this specialization because simply none was offered anymore. This is of course unacceptable, especially since the entire tuition fees had already been paid into the CSUEB account. In general, the university employees seemed to be overwhelmed with the organization of the entire course of studies in the trimester in question. As a student you just felt left alone and the responsible office,
First of all, you should be aware that American students always have priority when choosing a course. You can reserve your courses several months in advance. With a reduced range of courses and the same or increasing number of students, this means that before you can register for any courses, there are long waiting lists on which only American students are. In addition, as an “international student” you only have a period of approx. Seven days until a deadline decides whether enough students have jumped off the waiting list and whether you are still able to take the desired course or not. So it’s a kind of poker game, which is currently the norm at almost all American universities.
I can only tell you so much… Of eight courses that I initially attended in the hope of slipping into three of the targeted courses, in the end I was actually able to take one. However, I was able to take two more courses that I could get credit for at my home university. However, not everyone was lucky!
Incidentally, the level of the course content in most cases remains far below what is required at German universities. However, this is of course reflected in excellent grades, which you can achieve relatively effortlessly!
