How do you know what you want to study before you have had the chance to study it? This was just one question that led Amina and Khadicha to American Collegiate, Los Angeles.
Amina, who moved from Kazakhstan to Los Angeles, was unsure of what she wanted to do in her future career and was not yet ready to commit four years to a particular major. For Khadicha, who moved from Kyrgyzstan to Los Angeles, American Collegiate, LA was a path to earning credits while strengthening her writing and communication skills — without taking a gap year.
Read on to learn why both students chose American Collegiate, LA as their first step to studying at a top-tier US university.
The Flexibility of American Collegiate, Los Angeles
As Amina admits, part of the appeal of American Collegiate, LA is its location.
“Almaty [where I am from] is a big city, so I knew from the beginning I wanted to study in a big city,” she said. “I did not want to be on a smaller campus.” While she also considered schools in London, New Zealand, and New York, the flexibility of American Collegiate, LA is what ultimately brought her to Los Angeles.
“Here, I can explore any subject I want,” she emphasized, noting she was interested in business-economics and communications and could test out both.
After taking courses in economics, sociology, and mass communications, among other subjects, she made her decision: business-economics. “But it was important for me to understand what a communications degree involves,” she added.
American Collegiate, LA combines small, rigorous academic courses through UCLA Extension with personalized support for international students. This support was what attracted Khadicha to the program, allowing her to explore and adapt to American academics and culture before deciding where she wanted to continue her studies.
Khadicha is focused on business management, but is currently taking courses in chemistry, statistics, and world literature.
“Chemistry and statistics help me to understand the meaning behind the numbers and improve my analytical and critical thinking skills, which are vital for my future business career,” she said. World literature is helping her “better understand people and their actions. This is also beneficial in business, where understanding customers is key to success.”
Living in Los Angeles
“I did not expect [Los Angeles] to be very chill,” said Amina. Because LA is a big city, she expected everything to be fast-paced, and was pleasantly surprised to find the opposite. “People here are open. They do not rush,” she observed, contrasting it with New York, where she felt everyone was rushing. “I fell in love with California.”
Since beginning her two-year transfer program in 2023, Amina has also traveled to San Diego, and wants to visit other cities around the US. “LA is beautiful,” she stressed. “I love the UCLA campus.”
Khadicha agreed. “The UCLA campus is big and beautiful. I really enjoy walking around — there are so many plants and green spaces, which make it a relaxing place to be.” She cited the UCLA Recreation Center as another highlight, where she is able to balance studying with yoga and other fitness classes.
Amina, who is part of the UCLA Russian-speaking club, has met a lot of people through the club who have helped her find her go-to study spots around campus. She especially loves the UCLA classrooms because they feel straight out of a movie.
Both students appreciate the diversity of Los Angeles and specifically the UCLA community. “Everyone is open and kind,” observed Khadicha. “It is easy to meet new people and build connections.”
“I made a lot of friends from all over the world,” Amina said, which surprised her at first. “I did not think I was the kind of person to connect with people from other cultures. I did not think I was as opened minded as I am now.” She shared that she loves that she has made so many great friends from places like Mexico and Germany. “Seeing and experiencing diversity is the most beautiful part of [being here].”
Finally, Amina and Khadicha both highlighted the added bonus of Los Angeles’ perfect weather: sunny and just-right temperatures throughout the year.
Support from the American Collegiate, LA Team
When asked about the American Collegiate, LA team, a huge ear-to-ear smile filled Amina’s face. “Miss Amy and Miss Lupe are my favorite people,” she emphasized, citing their enthusiasm and energy. “I am speaking for so many of the students in my program right now — we just love them!”
“They reply instantly. They are like our mothers,” she continued. “They help us a lot and especially with the application cycle.” Amina recalled Lupe noticing she was stressing over her applications and essays, and was there for her any time she needed. “You just feel better after talking to them.”
Khadicha also appreciates the help she has received from the Center for Academic Success. She has worked with a math tutor, who helped add clarity to challenging calculus concepts, and academic skills tutors, who offered guidance with her application essays. “[They have taught] me how to structure and polish them effectively,” she said.
Continuing Their Studies Beyond Los Angeles
With the support of American Collegiate, LA, Amina and Khadicha have submitted applications to several US universities and are currently awaiting admissions decisions.
Amina has applied to a mix of sunny California-based schools and a few schools on the East Coast, too. She wants to work as a marketing strategist, but is also considering the financial side of business administration. Having both skillsets is important to her.
Amina completed a virtual internship as a social media manager for a magazine based in New Jersey. “It was transformative. I did not expect that,” she says.
Khadicha also completed two virtual internships in marketing, which deepened her interest in business. “My mentors consistently provided professional feedback, helping me improve my work,” she shared.
Beyond their internships, both students built on their skillsets through volunteering, too. Khadicha volunteered as a student ambassador for new students. The role “boosted my confidence and improved my communication skills,” she said.
For Amina, volunteering is a way to get to know American culture better, too. “Thanksgiving, Valentine’s Day, Halloween — there are so many holidays [where] we have volunteered.”
No matter your goals beyond university, Khadicha and Amina both stress the importance of making the most of your experience in the US.
“My biggest advice is to be well-prepared and really work on improving your English,” offered Khadicha. “Good language skills will help you a lot, both in the classroom and everyday life. Do not be afraid to step out of your comfort zone, meet new people, and explore the culture. The more open and adaptable you are, the easier it will be to make the most of your experience in the US.”
To get to know the culture better, Amina suggests learning the rules of American football. As she has observed, people know their teams and stick to them. She chose her teams, too, but focused more on understanding the rules of the game. “It was important that, come Super Bowl time, I at least knew what was going on.”
“Just try everything,” added Amina. “If you came here with a purpose, with a goal, do not waste this opportunity, socially or academically. Make friends all around the world. Try hard. Study hard. You will be good.”
