University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB)

If you are lucky enough to go to this university on exchange, be sure to make the most of all it has to offer- varied courses, a massive social scene,incredible sporting facilities, and a great interaction between international and American students.

Buy an International Student identitification card at sta travel. It gets you discounts on greyhound, various accomodation chains, restaurants and clubs. Also it is sometimes more accepted than passports believe it or not! (e.g. my friend had his danish passport rejected at albertson's (supermarket) when he was trying to by wine!)

Santa Ynez appartments are in my view the best student accomodation available. The appartments are massive and include a lovely kitchen and living room and huge balcony. The village is a quick 10min cycle from campus. The rent is extremely reasonable and includes utilities and village facilities (such as the pool hall, the gym, the study hall etc). And there are lovely resident assistants who organise community BBQs, and drop by often to just to say hello. I highly recommend Santa Ynez for those of you who like independent living (i.e. cooking for yourself and having your own appartment) and enjoy the idea of village living!

Buy utensils, pots and pans/ furniture from the thrift stores (either downtown or in Goleta). Live in Santa Ynez then you don't have to pay for utilities (if you live in private flats in Isla Vista the electricity and water bills can bve quite expensive)

oh! everywhere! Downtown: Ruby's diner in Paseo Neuvo mall (best shakes ever!), the art museum (free entry on thursday nights), Palazzio (cool pasta place--must go for any SB visit), Velvet Jones- nice clubbing, Q's -- techno Goleta Beach: the beachside cafe-- gorgeous seafood! Fairview: China Seafood Restaurant-- $5.95 lunch buffets excellent value for the poor starving student! the Outback nextdoor is excellent for the occasional birthday splurge-- baby back ribs...mmMMmmm