[Destination] San Diego State University (USA)
[Study abroad period] August 2019 to January 8.
[Type of study abroad] Long-term study abroad at a partner university
Q.The surroundings of the university (whether there are shops/restaurants, recommended shops and dishes)
There is a wide variety of shops and restaurants around the university.Many are within walking distance from the university, while others are within driving distance.First of all, in terms of shops, there are many supermarkets, malls, etc. near the university, so you can get whatever you want.My favorite store is a Japanese supermarket called Mitsuwa.Almost all Japanese products (rice, sweets, daily necessities, sake, etc.) are available here.Also, there are many restaurants around the university, such as hamburger shops, Mexican restaurants, Middle Eastern restaurants, Chinese restaurants, and Japanese restaurants.Out of all the restaurants I've been to so far, the one I thought was the most delicious was Alforon, a Middle Eastern restaurant.The pizza-like dish called Chicken Tawook here was very delicious with a very thin skin and exquisite taste.
Q.Inside the university
The campus is the best environment to live in both physically and atmospherically.In terms of physical aspects, there are supermarkets, restaurants (restaurants, Starbucks, bars, etc.), amusement facilities (gyms, bowling, table tennis, pools), train stations, and libraries, so it is possible to live without leaving the university.Also, the atmosphere in the university is very lively.On weekdays, many students come and go on campus, and on weekends, many students hold parties in their dormitories and apartments on campus, and you can hear lively music even when walking at night.Also, my impression is that many of the students and teachers are very kind and friendly, and I can live a very comfortable university life.
State of campus
Q.Transportation within the city and fees
There are three major types of transportation within the city. The first method is to use something like a train called a trolley.The trolley ticket is very cheap at $3 for a one-way ticket and $1 for a one-day unlimited ride ticket. The second method is to use something like a taxi called Uber.I don't think many people in Japan are familiar with Uber, but in the United States it's quite a major means of transportation.If you make a reservation using the Uber app on your smartphone, it will immediately pick you up and take you to your destination, so you can reach your destination much faster than by train.However, the price is a little high.It's cheaper than Japanese taxis, but students may feel it's expensive. The third method is to use a scooter such as Bird or Lime.Many people may not be familiar with these, but in California they are a popular mode of transportation for short distances.Just read the bar code of the scooter randomly placed on the roadside with a smartphone app and you can use it immediately, and the fee will be added according to the usage time.The fare is fairly cheap at 2.5 cents per minute, but you need to be very careful while using it as there is a danger of tipping over.