New Places I Got To Visit Because of the UCI Resident Housing Association
As an international student, I wanted to explore California as soon as I arrived. I told my roommates about my goal, so we planned road trips and short day trips that we would embark throughout the school year. When I first moved in, I quickly realized that me nor any of my three roommates had a car. Our initial plan to visit different cities to build our friendship was almost impossible. That was until we found the Resident Housing Association. Almost every month, they arrange field trips around California where all you have to do is sign up and meet at the flag poles where the bus awaits.
Every month, we’d scroll through our emails, checking to see if the Resident Housing Association has put out a new field trip to sign up for. If they did, we’d be scrambling to jot down our names quickly because the sign up list fills up so fast. After being put on the waitlist a couple of times, we were eventually able to attend The Broad museum in Los Angeles. We spent time taking pictures of each other, imitating art pieces, and simply having fun. We quickly realized how quirky we all were, and how weirdly we matched each other. After our first trip, we found ourselves searching for more field trips. The trips don’t just serve as a way to create a friendship bond. They were also a great way for us to destress and give ourselves a little breather. It was a chance for us to take a step back and give ourselves a little time-out before diving into classes again.
The next city we went to was Venice Beach. It was during the middle of a stressful week for all of us, and we desperately needed that chance to practice some self care. We felt like tourists — going into different shops, running across the beach, dipping our feet into the ocean, and giggling as it tickled the tips of our toes. Every time the RHA drives students to their destination, there is no plan. They recommend places for students to go but you’re basically on your own. It’s like your own little adventure where you get to be spontaneous, which made these trips stress relieving.
Other places that me and my roommates were able to visit are Downtown Disney in Anaheim, the Urban Lights and Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles, and so much more! The RHA is there to help students deal with stress by working in partnership with various other resource centers on campus such as the Center for Student Wellness & Health Promotion, the International Center, UCI Volunteer Programs, and UCI Campus Organizations.
If you ever come across an email that says “RHA, Resident Housing Association”, make sure to sign up for one of their free field trips! Everything is planned for you, which means you can have fun without having to worry about spending too much money. You’ll find yourselves coming back home to your dorms or apartments with a refreshed state of mind, and a phone filled with photos of a memorable time. You can look back to them and say “Yeah, I was there! I had so much fun!”
