My experience living in Santa Cruz, CA

When I arrived in Santa Cruz, CA, in June 7 2008, I remembered that my first impression was so exciting and stressing at the same time because my head was reloaded with a lot of new information. In Santa Cruz I am taking my intensive course of English (ELI - University of California SC) follow I´m going to begin my Studies Program in UCSC. It is very nice because we have the opportunity to share with a lot of people around the world. People from Europe, Asia, Africa and Latin America. We are sharing the experience to improve the English and at the same time enjoy and learn about different cultures.

I want to tell some details about this beautiful city. Santa Cruz, considered the overlapping portion of the San Francisco Bay Area, is famous for its idyllic beaches and Coastal Redwoods. Although there are many sub-cultures and counter-cultures living in the same city, most of the people live together in harmony and peace. In Santa Cruz the streets are very clean and the transportation system is always on time, there is not crowded traffic. The cost of living here is a little expensive, more than others big cities of USA. One friend told me that this is because Santa Cruz, with its beautiful beach and coasts, it's like a little touristic city.

Live in Santa Cruz and participate in the UGRAD Program for me is a great opportunity. I have seen that to be in other country and share with people from different cultures is a beautiful way to open our mind and begin to understand that in our world THERE IS MORE THINGS THAT CAN UNITE US THAN DIVIDE US. I hope continue enjoining and improving my knowledge in Santa Cruz and UCSC because is a beautiful place to do that.