student life

The Cal Falcons: Berkeley's Unofficial Mascots

April 13, 2023
Maylis P.

“Go Bears!” I hear this at least once a day, either when I’m walking to class, working in the Campanile, and especially when I give a tour.

“Oski!” I hear that at least once a week, be that on Sproul during game day rallies, or at sports games where students want pictures with our mascot.

The Golden Bear first made its appearance in 1895 and was made Berkeley’s official mascot in 1941. So naturally, hearing “Go Bears!” and “Oski!” has now become a part of daily life for all students. However, for me, the Golden...

Let’s Talk About Cal Athletics

March 16, 2023
Jordan S.

Being a large public university, sports are a big part of our college experience. At Berkeley especially, sports bring a big sense of pride as we go by “California” within the athletic sphere, allowing us to represent our great state. Now, I know what you may be thinking, Berkeley is an academics-focused school, their sports are all bad. To that I respond, you could not be more wrong. Berkeley is a member of the Pac-12 Conference, a sports conference for Western schools, which plays in Division I. Our athletics are all top-tier and we play with...

What It's Like to Intern Abroad

March 14, 2023
Mikayla H.

I am an impulsive person. While some of my rash decisions have led to some little regrets, I can safely say that my decision to go abroad was one of the most rewarding experiences in my undergraduate career. In this article, I’ll walk you through my process of internships abroad as well as tips for your own study abroad journey!

When I got to college, I knew that I wanted to, at some point, go abroad. Up to this point in my life, the furthest I’d lived from home was in Berkeley (which isn’t that far from Los Angeles). I wanted a chance to...

How (and Why) to Spend the Summer at UC Berkeley

March 7, 2023
Jazzy J.

As a member of the Haas Global Management Program, I was required to spend the summer after I graduated high school participating in the Global Edge Program at UC Berkeley. A couple of weeks after my official graduation, my cohort and I moved into Blackwell hall to spend the next two months taking classes and preparing for our move abroad.

Global Edge is just one way freshman students can get introduced to Berkeley’s campus, though it is only open to newly admitted students in the Rausser College of Natural Resources, the College of Letters...

All About the Global Management Program (GMP) Experience

February 28, 2023
Jazzy J.

When I first visited UC Berkeley during college application season, I was sure that I would not be attending. Coming from a small high school with less than 60 people in my graduating class, I imagined Berkeley to be too large and lacking the specialized study abroad programs and major I was looking for. All of that changed when my campus tour guide introduced me to the Haas Global Management Program, which she was an inaugural member of. After being accepted into this special program, I am now one of its biggest advocates. It is a truly amazing opportunity that most...

A Letter to the People I Don’t Know

March 2, 2023
Alyssa H.

A man in the red bomber jacket who sits by Sather Gate reading the news paper, a man who goes on little runs down College Ave every day at exactly 10 am, a woman who believes the sun is artificial, and a man who makes his own animal-inspired outfits and stands in the middle of Sproul. Just like The Breakfast Club, there are so many distinct beings that would not come together if it wasn’t for the welcoming and freeing nature of Berkeley, both as a campus and as a city.

Over my past three and a half years in Berkeley, a lot has changed, but...

5 Cute Date Ideas In/Around Berkeley

December 21, 2022
Mikayla Hwee

Picture this: you just asked someone out on your first date, and (of course) they said yes! But—you’re new to the Bay Area…what do you do now?

Fear not! As your new wingman, I’ve compiled a list of cute date ideas in and around Berkeley. There’s one for each season, and a few bonus ideas that work year-round. All of these places are accessible via the A/C Transit system, which all students have access to for free. You’re welcome in advance. (Keep in mind that these don’t necessarily have to be with a romantic partner—friend dates and solo...

Dear Clark Kerr …

December 9, 2021
Cordelia Varona

Returning to the dorms was something that I’d never thought I’d do. Although I had loved my freshman year experience, I was excited to experience new housing adventures, like living in my sorority house or in my own apartment. While I did end up doing these things, once COVID hit and I returned back to my hometown, I had to rethink my housing situation for senior year.

I ended up applying to be a Resident Assistant (RA), as I fondly recalled how the RAs in my freshman year building had helped me, a shy and scared first-year, navigate the university. I knew that I...

Savoring the Moment Through Selfies

March 29, 2022
Alyssa Hurtado

Some of my friends tell me I have a great eye for aesthetics – a compliment I take with honor. Since I was a little kid, I’ve loved taking amateur photos, whether with a point-and-shoot, my iPod touch, or my phone, and making seemingly mundane things more exciting. I feel as though photos can make pretty things uglier and ugly things prettier. This may seem like a hot take, but hear me out. When you take a picture of the sky, specifically the moon and stars, it never comes out as beautiful as your eyes behold it in real life. Conversely, you can take a picture of something like trash...

The Best Coffee Shops in Berkeley

March 31, 2022
Emily Conway

Coffee is central to the lives of students, working professionals, and hipsters alike. Whether you’re looking to fuel up for a day of work or relax and catch up with a friend, a cup of coffee is great company no matter what your agenda looks like. Berkeley, being a city full of college students and young self-starters, is the perfect place to explore with a great caffeinated beverage. I’m going to break down my favorite coffee shops on and around campus, and encourage you to use this as a mini coffee guide for the Berkeley area!

1. Caffe Strada...