The Decisions I've Made at USC
Hey everyone!! I’m Claire Li, a rookie sk8r pursuing a Cognitive Science and Business Administration double major here at USC. (If you saw me fall on my face on McClintock the other day… no you didn’t.) Being an international student has been part of my identity for as long as I can remember, as I am originally from Taipei, Taiwan, but lived in Hong Kong for the majority of my life.
As an incoming freshman, you’re really thrown into the deep end and are faced with a lot of daunting decisions. Take this class, eat at this dining hall, meet these people, buy this skateboard… no matter how miniscule they may appear at the time, some of these decisions will end up changing your life. Here are some of the most life-changing decisions that I’ve made since coming to USC.
1. Joining ISA.
As an intern at ISA, I have the opportunity to work with people who are passionate about inclusivity and diversity within the USC student body. After visiting ISA’s booth during the involvement fair and meeting some of the amazing E-Board members, I was drawn to the amiability and warmth that the club members exuded. The application process was short and sweet: after a straightforward written application and a (relatively) low-stress interview, I was welcomed into the 2021-22 Intern class. Since joining the team, I have planned events, shadowed E-Board members, and made friends with people from all walks of life. From “Big-Little” systems to weekly Coffee-Donut dates, interns have a multitude of opportunities to get involved and take on larger roles. The family-like atmosphere that ISA has curated makes joining the club one of the best decisions I’ve made since arriving at USC.
2. Dedicating my time to what I love.
When you get to college, you realize that you have so much independence. You have absolute control over how you want to spend your time. From spontaneous decisions to sleep in Santa Monica overnight, to pulling all-nighters with your friends in Leavey, I found myself dedicating my time to what I love. This was a breath of fresh air for someone like me, who had a stringent schedule back in High School. Deciding what to do with so much freedom is one of the biggest decisions one has to make when coming to college, so understanding what you value and what you enjoy will definitely help in that process.
3. Eating the right foods.
Coming from Asia, I was cautious about the difference in cuisine that the US had to offer. Though the dining hall food were better than I had expected, it seldom hit the spot for me when I craved for the thick noodles and hearty soups that I was used to eating back home. Treating myself to restaurants that remind me of home is so, so important when easing homesickness. Along with my friends from ISA, we’ve explored various cuisines around USC and LA, allowing us to connect with each other and reconnect with ourselves, all whilst enjoying delicious food.
4. Getting a skateboard.
I used to be a fervent walker. But given the influence of persistent friends, along with the combination of the tempting Black Friday sale, I bought a skateboard. Getting a skateboard and falling on your face is a rite of passage for all USC students, and I stand by that statement.