03 Apr School Life in SF State

Written By: Soy Ahn

Hello everyone! I’m an exchange student from South Korea and I’m majoring in English Literature. For my first blog, I would like to talk about how my school life was for the first month in SF State.

The Atmosphere of the Classes

            In the first week of the semester, I was a little bit shocked because the atmosphere of the classes I am taking is different from what I’ve experienced in Korea. I feel like most of the classes here are more open to talk about each other’s ideas, and also it’s free to talk with the professors in class. At first, I felt kind of awkward and shy but I could feel more comfortable and excited to hear others’ thoughts and express mine as time went by. Also, most professors respect everyone’s ideas! Therefore, for those who are shy or worried about expressing their thoughts in class, I want to say to feel free and use this time as a chance to practice speaking in front of people!

To give one tip, I would like to advise everyone to preview the class materials before class to have a meaningful conversation during class!

What Classes to Take in SF State

            Next, I want to recommend some classes that me and my friends are currently taking. For English literature majors, I want to recommend literature classes focused on specific topics that you are interested in. For example, I am taking a literature class focused on the vampire tradition, and a class focused on Bob Dylan’s works, which I found super fun and interesting! Especially if your home university doesn’t have English literature classes that are focused on very specific topics, I would highly recommend those classes for having new experiences studying literature.

I also want to recommend classes in ethnic studies or women and gender studies! I am having a great time studying and sharing thoughts in “Introduction to Women and Gender Studies” class in such a free and active atmosphere.

For people who want to make a new hobby, I will suggest that you take art or kinesiology classes. I will tell you about one of my friends’ experiences of taking a drawing class in SF State. She says that she’s having so much fun with that class because the professor respects and compliments everyone regardless of their drawing skill or artwork, so that she can be more comfortable and prouder of herself during class. Since there are a lot of various classes that you can enjoy and improve your art or sports skill, it would be a great chance to make a new hobby!

What To Do at School in Free Time

            Now I would like to tell you what I did at school in my free time between classes or after classes. First, if I have homework or class material to preview, I usually go to J. Paul Leonard Library. I love the free and also the calm atmosphere of this place so much! There are plenty of spaces to read books or study, and what I love is that there is a separate place called “Quiet Study” for those who need absolute silence to focus on studying. In other parts, you can freely chat with your friends while doing homework-but of course you should not be so loud-so I really love to do homework together with my friends in the library. For those who want to study outside later in the evening, I recommend Cesar Chavez Student Center. There are many desks and chairs that you can find randomly, and they are open until 10 pm during weekdays! If I want to study with my friend when all other places are closed, I always go there!

Second, if the weather is good, I usually hang out with my friends at school. Sometimes I just walk around in school enjoying the clean, blue sky and sometimes I grab coffee and snacks and chat with my friends on the lawn in front of the library or any benches between buildings. Tips for where to get coffee and snacks, you can go to Peet’s Coffee in the library or Café Rosso next to the Fine Arts building or shops in Cesar Chavez Student Center.

About My First Dorm Life

            For the last topic of this blog, I would like to talk about life in a dorm. Since this is the first time living in a dorm and using a room with another person in my entire life, I had so many new experiences!

            What I’m enjoying is that I can live with friends. Luckily, I’m living with sweet roommates, and imagine how it will be if you can live with your best friend! Sometimes I sleep at 2 am after chatting and eating midnight snacks with my roommate! Of course, it is sometimes inconvenient to share a place where I’m living but it’s so much fun to live with friends.

            Also, living in Village at Centennial Square is very convenient. The Dining hall is right in front of Village, and there’s a supermarket, Subway, and a restaurant on the first floor. Especially for students taking Humanities classes, I’m sure you will love the location of Village. As a person who takes every class in the Humanities building, I’m so happy that it literally takes 30 seconds to get out of my room and take a seat in class!

            For exchange students who are new in this city, I highly suggest living in a dorm or at least in housing that is close to school. It feels safe and comfortable to be around school where I can be protected. Also, it’s easy to go to other places in San Francisco by taking buses passing through the school or train right in front of the Health & Social Sciences building.

            That’s it for my school life in SF State! I’ve only been here for a month, so I hope to find out more interesting things to do in school. I hope it was helpful for exchange students curious about school life here! Thanks for reading!