One of the most unique things about USC is its ability to draw in students not just from California but from the rest of the United States and beyond. I happen to be one of those individuals. Aside from spending a few formative years in the Netherlands, I grew up in Portland, Oregon. Although it seems just a hop, a skip, and a jump away from Los Angeles, moving to an entirely different environment has made it feel like I’m living a thousand miles away.

By: Kristen Adams ‘25

Looking for a new place to grab dinner with friends? Whether you are a seasoned hot pot lover or a Korean Barbecue (KBBQ) newbie, I have compiled a list of my favorite hot pot and KBBQ spots around LA and especially Koreatown that I frequent with my friends on the weekend. Bon appétit!

By: Ani Antonyan ‘24

Tired of studying at Leavey Library? Need a change of scenery and to get off campus? Exploring LA and trying nearby coffee shops is a great way to motivate yourself to get started on that project you’ve been dreading or devote yourself to a study session. So grab your laptop, your TAP card, and computer charger, and get ready to power through a few hours of studying and crunching assignments at these great nearby coffee shops!

By: Lanie Brice ‘24

I left The Broad feeling inspired, excited, and giddy about art. As a writer, not a visual artist, I still felt the magic of creation transferring from these paintings into my brain and offering inspiration to rededicate myself to my own work. I can see myself returning for many more trips before my time at USC is up, and I couldn’t recommend making the trip to the museum before you leave school as well.

By: Ela Rybak ‘25

Living in the center of Los Angeles offers USC students many opportunities to celebrate unique holidays at cafes, bakeries, and amusement parks. Here are some obscure and unique holidays and ideas for how to celebrate them when you need a random reason to party.

By: Lanie Brice ‘24

In my humble opinion, one of the best parts of living in the US is access to public libraries, but unfortunately, most people aren’t familiar with all the things the library has to offer. While USC has plenty of incredible libraries, they’re more suited to research or a late night study session than finding the hottest new fiction release. If you made a resolution to read more for fun in 2023 like I did, don’t overlook the LA Public Library to save on books, get free movies, documentaries, magazines, music, and much more.

By: Amy Argueta ‘24 (USC Student Life Guest Blogger)

One of the perks of being a USC student is the wealth of discounts available to many of your favorite brands. From free streaming subscriptions to discounted or even free entrance to theme parks and museums around LA, there are many ways to save money during your time at USC.

By: Tamanna Sood ‘24

The honest and terrible truth is that finding the time to plan a cute date on a budget can be extremely stressful. Suddenly, you find yourself missing out on asking out your crush because you can’t figure out the perfect place to take them. Not on my watch! Here’s five simple, fun, and affordable dates in the USC area that you can take your partner out to!

By: Ani Antonyan ‘24

Being gluten-free in LA should be easy. However, gluten-friendly options are still hard to come by—even in health-nut city. Whether you’re looking for a restaurant to dine out with your friends for a special occasion or for when you’re too tired to cook, use this guide instead of aimlessly scrolling through Postmates for hours.

By: Dara Udobong ‘23

This Black History Month, USG’s External Affairs Committee and BSA teamed up to provide students with a taste of the local community via the first ever restaurant crawl featuring Black-owned businesses. Starting at USC and traversing the length of South Central LA, the restaurant crawl featured three restaurants that followed a three-course dinner menu perfectly curated for the eager (and hungry) college students who embarked upon this mission.

By: Hannah Skinner ‘23

Looking to plan a fun Disney day this semester but don’t know where to start? With frequent price changes and complicated ticket policies, it’s hard to keep up, but as a Southern Californian, I go a couple of times each year and have created the perfect itinerary to tackle Disney if you only have one day in the parks.

By: Lanie Brice ‘24

If you’re looking to go back in time through art, you’ll probably struggle to find inspiration outside of the Getty or the LACMA, known for its once Instagram trending installation. Luckily, there’s another hidden gem museum much closer to USC if you’re looking to immerse yourself in fine art, take a walk around a gorgeous pond area, or grab a bite to eat at the outdoor cafè that is the cherry on top of the Parisian vibes. It’s called the Norton Simon Museum, and it’s located just north of us in Pasadena.