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As seen through movies, television, news, and radio, Los Angeles is a trend setting and progressive, global, urban metropolis with rich cultural roots and a dynamic history. It is a business, entertainment, and trade hub with renowned museums, attractions, and 75 miles of sunny coastline. It is also extremely diverse with more than 200 languages spoken and dotted with rich vibrant neighborhoods from Little Tokyo to Little Armenia. By virtue of its convenient location, many USC students have a front row seat to enriching experiences in Los Angeles.

The University Park Campus is directly across the street from the Natural History and California African American Museums as well as the California Science Center and LA Memorial Coliseum. A couple of miles from campus is Downtown Los Angeles, a home to historic landmarks, innovative museums, and entertainment venues like Grand Park, The Cathedral of Our Lady of Angels, Broad Museum, Disney Concert Hall, Staples Center, and LA LIVE. Students will also find that exciting nightlife, dining, and sports events are only a short drive away. Finally, for those venturing outdoors, Los Angeles has a beautiful and diverse landscape with numerous hikes through mountains, deserts, and beaches merely an hour’s drive from USC. There is always an abundance of things to learn, see, and do in Los Angeles.

Office of International Services (OIS) The Office of International Services (OIS) serves the needs of international students and visiting scholars through a variety of advising services, programs, and information resources. Staff are available to assist international students with issues related to immigration regulations, personal and academic concerns, employment in the U.S., adjusting to life in the U.S., and more. OIS also provides additional information about temporary housing and locating a rental apartment or house near USC or elsewhere in the Los Angeles area. For more information, please contact the Office of International Services at ois.usc.edu or (213) 740-2666.

International Students

Welcome!

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Near CampusBelow are property management companies with housing options around the UPC Campus: For the official Off-Campus Housing Listings website visit: http://usc.offcampuslisting.com/

Autumn Leaf Apartments: www.uscapartmentrentals.com CDI Management: www.uscspots.com City Park Apartments: www.cityparkusc.com First Choice Housing: www.firstchoicehousing.com GF Property Group: www.gfpropertygroup.net Malin Assess Management: www.malinapts.com Nupac Apartments: www.nupac.com R.W. Selby & Co.: www.tuscanyonfig.com Stuho Student Housing Management: www.stuho.com University Gateway: www.livegw.com

On CampusAlthough USC offers graduate housing, most students tend to live off-campus in rented apartments or houses. There are many private apartment buildings and houses within walking distance of the University. In addition, there are many suitable neighborhoods within a 20-30 minute commute (see page 3 for map of L.A. Neighborhoods).

Most landlords will require a security deposit and some require long-term leases before they will rent. One option to bypass the apartment search is to take over the apartment of a student who is graduating.

Those considering living farther from campus will have many more choices. You may choose to drive to campus or take public transportation. The Metro Expo line runs along Exposition Blvd, with three stops around the USC campus.

Off CampusThe university offers a variety of housing options, on and off campus. While most on-campus housing is reserved for incoming freshmen, there are facilities available for undergraduate and graduate students depending on availability. Accommodations include apartments, residence halls and suites in a variety of locations and sizes. Amenities include laundry facilities, furnishings, cable, internet and phone, and a computerized entry monitoring system. All housing is within walking distance of main campus.

In order to live in on-campus housing, you should submit your request promptly. Housing is processed on a first-come, first-serve basis, and rooms fill quickly. The University does not guarantee availability of on-campus housing. Please visit the USC Housing office website at housing.usc.edu for further information.

Housing

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A. Arcadia/Pasadena/GlendaleHome to many malls and parks, this is a great area forfamilies with children. Arcadia is a 40-70 minute commuteto USC and a 30-60 minute commute to Pasadena andGlendale. Metro: Gold Line

B. San Fernando ValleyThe San Fernando Valley offers an incredible array of finedining, shopping, and attractions. Located 20-30 miles northof USC, many students find the San Fernando Valley to bean escape from the major metropolitan area. Metro: OrangeLine

C. Echo Park/Silver Lake/Los FelizConveniently located less than 10 miles from USC, thisarea is home to many attractions, including Griffith Park andObservatory, the Los Angeles Zoo, and Dodger Stadium.Metro: Red Line

D. Downtown Los AngelesDowntown Los Angeles living offers easy access, withfreeway and transportation hubs. Downtown LA offers agreat deal for those who like to keep busy, including LALIVE. Within downtown there are several neighborhoodsand districts, each of which has its own style and excels inits own specialty. Metro: Expo, Blue, Red, Purple, and GoldLines

E. Koreatown/Mid-Wilshire/West HollywoodThis area is along the Wilshire Blvd. corridor as you headtowards West Los Angeles. Each community has nice areasand cultural characteristics worth seeking out. Metro: Purpleand Red Lines

F. West LA/Culver City/Palms/Venice/Santa MonicaLocated less than 15 miles from USC and a 20-40 minutecommute, this area has many apartment buildings, some ofwhich are reasonably priced. Prices may increase as youget closer to the beaches. Metro: Expo Line

G. Marina del Rey/El Segundo/WestchesterThis area is minutes from the beach. It is often crowded onweekends. It is close to the LAX airport. This area is located16 miles from USC and is a 30-40 minute commute.

H. Torrance/Redondo Beach/Manhattan BeachThese communities are also near beaches and offer lots ofshopping. This area also has houses that are as affordableas apartments to rent. Metro: Silver Line

I. San Pedro/Palos Verdes/Rolling HillsLocated 20-25 miles away, this area offers condos,apartments, and houses available for rent or lease.

J. Long BeachLocated 25 miles from USC, Long Beach is home to manyattractions, shopping, and an active night life. Metro: BlueLine

K. East Los Angeles/Alhambra/Monterey ParkLocated minutes away from USC Health Science Campus,East LA is one of Los Angeles’s oldest communities. Alhambra features converging cultures and artistic expression.Monterey Park has a significant Asian community. Metro:Gold Line

L. University ParkUniversity Park refers to the main USC campus as well asthe neighborhoods immediately surrounding the University.Metro: Expo Line

L.A. Neighborhoods

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Antelope Valley

San Fernando Valley

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SouthSan Gabriel

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Getting around LA is easy without a car. Los Angeles is home to one of the country’s best public transportation networks, including subways, light-rail, buses, and shuttles to nearly every corner of the Greater Los Angeles area.

USC Transportation USC Transportation offers daily and meter parking, as well as monthly and semester-long permits. Also, free tram and campus cruiser services around the University Park Campus area, to and from LA Union Station and the Health Sciences Campus are provided. USC Campus Cruiser Service offers either a walking or vehicle escort to your destination, on or around University Park Campus or Health Sciences Campus. For more information, visit: transnet.usc.edu

• Many students ride bicycles on and around campus. Consult USC Department of Public Safety(DPS) for information about semester bicycle sale, bicycle registration, and safety at:dps.usc.edu

• USC is a Metro corporate partner. The USC Graduate Student Government administers aGraduate Metro TAP card program specifically for graduate students.

Metro Buses, Subways, and TrainsMetro Buses/Trains and Trip-Planner: www.metro.netCommuter Express and Dash Bus Lines: www.ladottransit.comMetrolink Trains: www.metrolinktrains.comMetro Expo Line: www.metro.net/projects/expo-santa-monica*Students are eligible for a discount on public transit passes.

Other Transportation-Related WebsitesCalifornia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV): www.dmv.ca.govAccess Para-transit: www.accessla.orgSuper Shuttle: www.supershuttle.com

Driving in Los AngelesVisitors to California who are over the age of 18 and have a valid driver’s license from their home country may drive in California without getting a California driver’s license, as long as their home country license remains valid. When purchasing a motor vehicle and auto insurance, most insurance companies require a valid California driver’s license.

The DMV office located closest to the USC main campus: 3615 S. Hope St. Los Angeles, CA 90007

Transportation

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Popular destinations and directions from USCLos Angeles Metro MapGrand Central Market: 1. Take Expo Line to 7th St./Metro Station2. Take Purple or Red Line to Pershing Square

Station

The Broad Museum: 1. Take Expo Line to 7th St./ Metro Station2. Take Purple or Red Line to Grand Park/Civic

Center Station

Staples Center/LA Live: 1. Take Expo Line to Pico Station

Third Street Promenade1. Take Expo Line to Downtown Santa Monica

Universal Studios: 1. Take Expo Line to 7th St./Metro Station2. Take Red Line to Universal City/Studio City

Station

Hollywood: 1. Take Expo Line to 7th St./Metro Station2. Take Red Line to Hollywood/Highland Station

Downtown Arts District:1. Take Expo Line to 7th St./Metro Station2. Take Red or Purple Line to Union Station3. Take Gold Line to Little Tokyo/Arts District Station

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EntertainmentDowntown LA Art Walkwww.downtownartwalk.org

Greek Theatre www.greektheatrela.com

Hollywood Bowl www.hollywoodbowl.com

LA Live • The Novo• Lucky Strike• Regal Cinema Stadium

Pantages Theaterwww.hollywoodpantages.com

Walt Disney Concert Hallwww.laphil.com

The Wilternwww.wiltern.com

SportsChivas USAwww.cdchivasusa.com

Los Angeles Clippers Basketball www.nba.com/clippers

Los Angeles Dodgers Baseball dodgers.mlb.com

Los Angeles Football Club www.lafc.com/

Los Angeles Galaxy Soccer www.lagalaxy.comLos Angeles Lakers Basketball www.nba.com/lakersLos Angeles Kings Hockey www.lakings.com

Los Angeles Rams Football www.therams.comLos Angeles Sparks Women’s Basketball www.wnba.com/sparks

BeachesMalibu Beach 23050 Pacific Coast Hwy. Malibu, CA 90265

Hermosa Beach Pier1 Pier AveHermosa Beach, CA 90254

Santa Monica Pier 200 Santa Monica Pier Santa Monica, CA 90401

Venice Beach 1800 Ocean Front Walk Venice, CA 90291

Popular AttractionsAttractionsThe Broad Museumwww.thebroad.org

Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) www.lacma.org

Universal Studios www.universalstudioshollywood.com