Hello,
This week I will provide you with information about community and campus life because it’s important to keep work-life balance while in grad school. This is only a short list of things to experience but there are always great things coming up weekly in and around UCI.
I also want to remind you to register for the Graduate Welcome and Orientation on September 19 and 20 if you haven’t done so already. You should have received a separate registration email from Graduate Division. I’ll be at the events and look forward to meeting you there.
Irvine
Our city is located 40 miles south of Los Angeles and 90 miles north of San Diego and is minutes away from the ocean and borders Laguna and Newport Beach. Each beach has its unique characteristics. As one of the Top 25 cities to live in the United State (Ranked by Money magazine), Irvine features more than 40,000 acres of open space for hiking, jogging, and biking. With the great weather, people like to spend time in the outdoors. Irvine is home to the Orange County Great Park which host many of the city’s outdoor events to attend with your family and friend.
The City of Irvine website provides information on city services, the history of the city, and resources for those who are new to the area. Irvine also has multiple shopping areas and entertainment activities including Irvine Spectrum, The District, Diamond Jamboree, and the nearby Fashion Island in Newport Beach. I recommend that you make your own list of things you want to see while you are here.
Taste of America Program
During the month of November, you will have an opportunity to connect with families in the local Orange County area in the Taste of America Program with a group of 2-5 international students and a GIC Peer Mentor. Last year, over 100 students applied and were matched with local families for dinner. Online application will be available in the coming weeks. This is a great opportunity to expand your network and learn more about American culture.
Life at UCI
UCI graduate students come from all 50 states and from 65 countries. UCI is really a diverse community with many things to do outside of the classroom that can impact your graduate experience. When not in the classroom, library or lab, graduate students can …
- Work out at the Anteater Recreation Center or join an intramural sports team
- Attend a talk by world-renowned speakers
- Attend concerts like Shocktoberfest and Summerlands, plays, and dance performances at the UCI Claire Trevor School of the Arts
- Watch UC Irvine’s nationally ranked Division I sports teams
- Attend workshops or participate in certificate series offered at Graduate Resource Center
- Get involved in the local community – Look forward Graduate InterConnect Community Service Day in October.
- Mingle with fellow students and postdoctoral scholars at the Anthill Pub & Grille on campus
Getting Involved
Graduate students get involved by joining clubs and organizations, including the Associated Graduate Students — UC Irvine’s officially recognized graduate student government.
You can also consider becoming a Graduate InterConnect Peer Mentor like myself. In this role, you will assist the incoming international students with their transition to the UCI community, build professional and leadership skills, and network with graduate students, faculty, and administrators on campus.
Your school or program may also offer student groups related to your field of study. You will learn more about these in your school/program specific orientations in September.
If you will live in on-campus graduate housing communities, you can get involved with Residents’ Council or can attend events in the communities to meet your fellow residents.
I hope you found this information useful in your preparation to come to UCI.