Student Impressions

Been in L.A. for five days now- having lots of fun in this very big and strange city. It's very hot. So far I think we've all just about had a hamburger a day- fast food is impossible to escape with all the theme parks we've been to. Universal studios was fun and seeing all the rides was really cool, got some great pics. Next we went to six flags magic mountain. All the rides were incredible, the amount of roller coasters and the size of them was incredible- one with a 88.5 degree drop and others where you got up to 100 mph. Despite this I could only manage one, the COLOSSUS, the oldest ride in the park. Made of wood with metal rails it was noisy and rickety. Off to the beach today and the on to Santa Margarita.
Tobias Lorimer


Having been in downtown LA, suburbia and the middle of nowhere (Magic Mountain), my opinion of this vast city has varied often. Downtown is generally grey and dusty while suburbia is clean and surprisingly green. When at the top of a roller coaster ('Tatsu') you could see that California really is just a desert. Magic Moutain is just a pile of brightly coloured metal with nothing much around it. Yesterday took the title of best day so far, my first rollercoasters were exhilarating. Highlight was either Goliath or X2 as I'm sure most of the rest of the team would agree. One more hour until the first beach day of the trip. Then off to our second set of billets for the next three nights.
Matt Pogson

So far everyday has got better and better, and my highlight would definitely have to be Magic Mountain. The best rollercoaster in my opinion was X2 (search it up on YouTube). LA has
been an amazing experience and it was really interesting to stay in an American home for two nights. The weather has been extremely hot and humid (and I have been putting sun cream on!) We are currently on the way to the beach where we will spend the morning before leaving for our next group of billets.
Roddy Lockhart

Everything here has been really hot and humid but I'm enjoying the sunshine and good weather. Even at night it's warm! The Hollywood run was a good experience even though I was dying on the way up. The craziest thing so far has to be the X2, the most insane ride I have ever been on! Afterwards I was a bit lightheaded but glad to have come out alive... The Hollywood walk of fame was pretty cool too with all the flashing lights and cool shops, including a candy shop with bacon gum balls. I'm also enjoying the American food here (hotdogs, hamburgers, frozen yogurt, tacos, etc.) and overall, this is a great experience. I am looking forward to the rest of the trip.
-Sungwoo Baek

LA has been a completely new experience and as been an amazing city. My favourite place so far has been universal city, next to universal studios. In the centre is an outdoor food court filled with just about 20 different restaurants, all lit with flashing neon signs. Over looking this is a giant tv screen playing loud music 24/7. Sitting in the middle of this, at night in stifling head was surprisingly relaxing and I will definitely miss universal city.
Hamish Kerr

Universal studios was great! Went on the 'mummy' and 'jurassic park' and all that. Reminded me of our last trip to the US with mum and Terry. Then we did a Haka by the globe which was a big highlight. Then on the next day we ran through the universal city and the music was playing and the lights were shining and it was so good. Six flags was unbelievable! It was a place that should only exist in movies. The rides were awesome and the lines were short so a lot of the time we walked straight onto the rides.The Hollywood sign run was hard because it was so hot and my shoes were hurting my feet so I ran up in bare feet, didn't do that did u bro! Can't wait for my next billets, the ones in Pasadena were great. Going to a beach now and it's like 35 degrees and no clouds. Miss you guys back at home! Tell Carmel I said hi!
Ryan Martin.

Los Angeles has been completely different to how I had imagined it. Being out with students from Pasadena Poly was a great experience- an awesome way to experience how Americans live everyday life. Universal Studios and Magic Mountain were awesome. The weather is amazing when you are not running in it up Hollywood hill.
Missing you all back home.
James Grieve