The Academy News - July 19, 2013 by Jessica Stern

The Academy News

 Check out The Academy News online: www.usc.edu /langacad.Go to “Student Information” and then click on “The Academy News.”

 Explore the diverse cultures of L.A. in Little Tokyo. See p. 4

 Bed bugs can be a hidden danger. See p. 5

INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Language

Labs

Little Tokyo

In L. A. Don’t Let Bed

Bugs Bite Food Woes

Letter Home Filming in

Los Angeles Cyclists Bring

Hope Pics of the Week

V O L U M E

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I S S U E

J U L Y

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Students Go Kayaking in Alamitos Bay By SHANGYI CHENG and PEIYANG SHI

Which marina is the most beautiful and friendly in Southern California? The answer is the Alamitos Bay, “the best kept secret between Los Angeles and Orange County”, where the sea water is always pure and calm. On July 12, Language Academy Students went kayaking there and had a great time. Exploration The Alamitos Bay contains a quite huge area for the students to go kayaking. Students gained great sense of achievement from exploring the location of mysterious “moon jellies” and the different routes back to the starting

Language Academy students explored the bay in kayaks last Friday.

point. “I felt on top of the world when I found some jelly fish,” said Mike, one of the Language Academy students.

Collision Colliding with others’ kayaks happened quite often for starters. When approaching too closely or See Kayaking on p. 3

U PC O MING A C TIVITI ES Orange County Fair

Third Street Promenade

Saturday, July 20, 2013 8:30AM-5:00PM, FREE The OC Fair shows the rural side of the county right in the city of Costa Mesa. There are livestock shows and competitions, pig races, vegetable and garden exhibits, and equestrian events. There are also home arts and crafts, circus acts, carnival rides and lots of fair food. This is a great American summer past time! Make sure you bring cash and sunscreen.

Friday, July 26, 2013 1:30PM-6:00PM, FREE The Third Street Promenade is an upscale shopping, dining and entertainment complex in the downtown area of Santa Monica. You will find tourists and street performers from all over the world. Please bring cash if you plan on eating or shopping. Sign up today at 12:00pm in JEF Courtyard. This activity is FREE!

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Tuesday, July 23rd Time

Location

Description

Facilitator

12:30-1:30pm

KAP 150

IELTS Prep Lab (Levels 2-5)

James Hutzell Faculty

12:30pm-1:30pm

THH 107

Statement of Purpose (Levels 4, 5 & 6) Limited to 1 time per week

Marisa Garcia-Crocker Faculty

12:30pm-1:30pm

VKC 204

Grammar Q & A (Levels 1, 2 & 3)

John Esposito Faculty

12:30pm-1:30pm

JEF Courtyard

Conversation Level 1

Liza USC Student

12:30pm-1:30pm

JEF Courtyard

Conversation Level 2

12:30pm-1:30pm

JEF Courtyard

Conversation Level 3

12:30pm-1:30pm

JEF Courtyard

Conversation Level 4

12:30pm-1:30pm

JEF Courtyard

Conversation Level 5

Belen USC Student Lucy USC Student Demetri USC Student Jay USC Student

12:30pm-1:30pm

JEF Courtyard

Conversation Levels 6

Rachel USC Student

1:30pm-2:30pm

KAP 150

GRE/GMAT Prep Lab (Levels 4, 5 & 6)

Jeminah Jones Faculty

1:30pm-2:30pm

JEF Courtyard

Conversation Level 1

Lucy USC Student

1:30pm-2:30pm

JEF Courtyard

Conversation Level 2

1:30pm-2:30pm

JEF Courtyard

Conversation Level 3

1:30pm-2:30pm

JEF Courtyard

Conversation Level 4

1:30pm-2:30pm

JEF Courtyard

Conversation Level 5

1:30pm-2:30pm

JEF Courtyard

Conversation Levels 6

Blaire USC Student Demetri USC Student Rachel USC Student Liza USC Student Jay USC Student

IELTS Preparation: Test Overview—In this lab, you’ll have the opportunity to learn tips and tricks on how to ace the IELTS test. This week we’ll discuss the overview of the test. Conversation Practice—Practice speaking English by level with USC students. This is an interactive discussion in which you will participate in group discussions about several interesting topics. This is your opportunity to practice speaking and to ask questions. Statement of Purpose Workshop (Levels 4-6): Learn how to write an amazing SOP for graduate school. Grammar Q & A—Are you confused by the rules of English grammar? Come to the Grammar Question and Answer lab for help with your grammar questions! GRE/GMAT Preparation (Levels 4-6): Find out the best ways to succeed on the new exam

MANDATORY STAY/GO MEETING ON THURSDAY, JULY 25, 2013 YOU MUST ATTEND ONE OF THESE MEETINGS ON THURSDAY. FEEL FREE TO SIGN UP FOR LANGUAGE LABS IF YOU WANT (AS LONG AS IT DOES NOT CONFLICT WITH THE MANDATORY MEETING THAT YOU NEED TO ATTEND). Transfer to USC Grad School Meeting (12:30 PM-1:30 PM THH 301): Attend this meeting if you plan to start USC Grad School during the Fall Semester. Attend this meeting even if you are taking Language Academy classes concurrently with your Graduate Classes during the Fall (Do not attend the Stay at Language Academy meeting). Stay at Language Academy Meeting (1:30 PM-2:00 PM THH 301): Attend this meeting if you plan to stay at Language Academy for the Fall 2013 Semester (or plan to take a vacation and return for Spring Semester 2014) Going to another school or leaving the United States Meeting (2:00 PM-3:00 PM THH 301): Attend this meeting if you are done studying in America or if you plan to transfer to a different school in the United States.

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Thursday, June 25th Time

Location

Description

Facilitator

12:30-1:30pm

KAP 150

GRE Prep Lab (Levels 4, 5 & 6)

Peter Guekguezian Faculty

12:30pm-1:30pm

THH 107

Statement of Purpose (Levels 4, 5 & 6) Limited to 1 time per week

Marisa Garcia-Crocker Faculty

12:30pm-1:30pm

VKC 204

Grammar Q & A (Levels 4, 5 & 6)

John Esposito Faculty

12:30pm-1:30pm

JEF Courtyard

Conversation Level 1

Liza USC Student

12:30pm-1:30pm

JEF Courtyard

Conversation Level 2

12:30pm-1:30pm

JEF Courtyard

Conversation Level 3

12:30pm-1:30pm

JEF Courtyard

Conversation Level 4

Belen USC Student Jay USC Student Demetri USC Student

12:30pm-1:30pm

JEF Courtyard

Conversation Level 5

Blaire USC Student

12:30pm-1:30pm

JEF Courtyard

Conversation Levels 6

1:30pm-2:30pm

JEF Courtyard

Conversation Level 1

Rachel USC Student Blaire USC Student

1:30pm-2:30pm

JEF Courtyard

Conversation Level 2

Belen USC Student

1:30pm-2:30pm

JEF Courtyard

Conversation Level 3

Demetri USC Student

1:30pm-2:30pm

JEF Courtyard

Conversation Level 4

Rachel USC Student

1:30pm-2:30pm

JEF Courtyard

Conversation Level 5

Liza USC Student

1:30pm-2:30pm

JEF Courtyard

Kayaking Continued from p. 1 colliding to each other, they had to say hi and make small talks to ease the embarrassment. Isn’t it a great opportunity to make new friends? Collaboration Except for single boats, twin boats were also popular among students. Some felt safer with another person sitting in the

Conversation Levels 6

Jay USC Student

same boat. However, it was challenging for two newly met students who tried kayaking for their first time. Xi Kang, a student from China, described their first half journey as uncontrollable. “Both of us rowed very hard in order to keep the Kayak moving straight forward, but it just didn’t listen to us.” Having communicated with each other, she and partner tried several plans and managed to find the right way to control the boat. In their second half journey, the boat went smoothly on the water just as they had hoped. She

said, “We felt like Olympic athletics! Not only did we improve our collaboration, but also our friendship. ” Fight On, Trojans! Though kayaking requires endurance and perseverance, it turned out that everyone from Language Academy passed the test. Matt told us that having chosen an arduous route, he almost gave up on the way back to the beach. He kept saying to himself “Fight on!” Finally, he managed to get to the destination.

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Heart of Japanese Culture in L.A. —Little Tokyo By SCARLETT CHEN and YUAN FENG

Downtown Los Angeles has several ethnic districts. Little Tokyo is one of them. It’s a great getaway place for Academy students. Little Tokyo, entitled National Historic Landmark District in 1995, is the biggest Japanese and Japanese-American community in Los Angeles. It inherits the essence of Japanese spirit. It is also the hub for Japanese food. Sushi is a representative of Japanese food. Little Tokyo has many authentic Japanese restaurants that all serve sushi dishes. Besides sushi, there are other choices too. Four Leaves Tea and Crepes and Ozero Tea & Desserts are two popular afternoon tea places on Yelp.com. They are different from American cafes. Instead of serving coffee, they are famous for their boba tea, or milk tea. This will help international students from Asia soothe homesickness. Other than that, Little Tokyo also has many Japanese bakeries and supermarkets. One of Little Tokyo’s shopping areas is Japanese Village Plaza Mall. The building of Japanese Village Plaza is constructed in Japanese traditional style. It’s noticeable and easy to find. The plaza includes around 40 stores from clothes boutiques and cosmetic stores, to gift shops, as

well as various restaurants. Weller Court is another shopping center located at the west side of Japanese Village Plaza. Students also can enjoy shopping there in the department stores as well as boutiques along the street. The biggest Japanese supermarket—Marrukai, is also located in the shopping center. In addition to shopping, students can also experience traditional Japanese culture in Little Tokyo by visiting the Japanese temple in the Little Tokyo district. The Koyasan Buddhist Temple is located a few steps away on First Street. The community holds festival celebrations every year. An upcoming activity is called Obon. It is a Japanese celebration in honor of its ancestors. This will be a cultural experience for Academy students. The festival will be held at Higashi Honganji Buddhist Temple on July 24 and 25. There is no admission fee.

HOW TO GET THERE Take Metro Silver Line 910 towards silver Line-El Monte Sta Via Downtown on Harbor -Transitway/ 37th Street. Get off at Spring/1st Street City Hall. Then walk to Civic Center / Little Tokyo. Estimated travel time: 26 minutes

MORE INFORMATION Find information about the Obon Festival by accessing this website:twww.hhbtlaorg

REFERENCE Little Tokyo, Los Angeles (n.d.).Wikipedia. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Little_Tokyo,_Los_Angeles Festival (n.d.). Little Tokyo Community. Retrieved from http://www.littletokyola.org/

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Bed Bug Infestation Forces Students to Move at Midnight By YATING ZHAO

Two new Language Academy students were forced to move to their friend’s apartment for accommodation on July 10 due to bed bug infestation. “This is the first time that I have seen bed bugs in my lifetime!” one girl said. They are both new Annenberg’s students and currently studying at the Language Academy. A sign of bed bugs had already been noticed on the first day they moved to their sublease apartment. They reported to the manager who did give the apartment some chemical treatments, but the bed bugs just wouldn’t go away. “We were sitting beside the table and discussing something when my roommate suddenly found out there was a bed bug moving around and finally crawling inside the drawer. Then my roommate opened the table, and I surprisingly saw a family of bed bugs. I was so scared that I started crying.” The other girl said, “Bed bug infestation may probably

Second, know how bed bugs are able to get into your house or apartment. The most common way in which bed bugs enter your house or apartment is that you go somewhere else where bed Bed bugs are found in places with poor bugs are present and then acsanitation and sometimes campsite. cidently take them back with result from inadequate sanita- you. So be aware of the place tion of last renters.” The two that you go and stay. girls finally found a new Third, know how to keep apartment and finished their yourself away from bed bugs. fight against bed bugs. Bed bug infestation is very As long as you have good common here in America, es- sanitation habits, such as pecially in L.A. According to cleaning your rubbish more frequently, carefully choose Orkin, one of the nation’s the house or apartment that leading pest control compayou move to (try not to rent nies, LA is actually number three on the list of worst bed hundred-year old house or bug cities 2012. What do USC apartment) and double-check the place you stay and go for new students do to protect themselves from bed bug in- short trips or visits. Then you festation? You may find some can largely reduce that chance of bed bug infestation. helpful tips here: First, learn how to identify a I hope every Language Acadbed bug. Bed bugs are reddish emy students has a happy and healthy life here in USC. brown with a flat, oval body that measures approximately ¼ of an inch (6.35 mm) long. Bed bugs usually hide close to the bed but can spread to other areas of the room or home over time.

Mandatory Housing Stay/Go Meeting All Language Academy Students living at Troy East Apartments must attend the Housing Stay/ Go meeting on Tuesday, July 23, 2013 at 3:00pm in VKC 100. Thanks!

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Do Not Be Hasty to Try New Food You might have determined to adapt to AmeriAs a Chinese, who can lifestyle as soon as might have already eaten possible, but your body all of the elements on may say “no” at first. periodic table, I assume Feeling lucky to get that I have an “iron rid of the poor-quality body” and can digest Chinese milk, I excitedly every countries’ food bought a large bottle of perfectly well. low-fat milk at Ralphs (a The reality, however, my alternative bedroom. local supermarket). But blows me heavily on the Finally, I yielded and my life afterwards belly. During the last decided to share my sug- turned out to be “a glass week, the food here up- gestion with the future of milk everyday kept my set me so often that the newcomers: do not be stomach hurting all the restroom almost became hasty to try new food. way.” By WANG JINGYI

Knocked off by milk, I came back to traditional soy milk which I used to drink everyday in China and later got my strength back. Choosing the food your body is familiar with is always a wise strategy when you move to a new country. As for that tasty new food, why not take some time till your body says “Yes, I’m ready”?

A Letter Home miss you and everything I am so familiar with in the city I have lived for twenty years. Every time I feel hungry, I will Los Angeles think of the homemade dishes Dad cooks. Sunday, July 14, 2013 Every time I put the coins into a washing machine, it seems I can hear Mom says: Dear Mom and Dad, “Go to sleep, I will do that.” Every time I look up to the blue sky of Los Angeles, It has been one month since I left which sets off the mansions, the illusion home. Now I am sitting in the Leavey that I am home comes to my mind. Library of USC and writing you about There are plentiful shortcuts, but I everyday and keeping early hours. my life in Los Angeles. have chosen the most difficult way to See, Los Angeles has changed me Schoolwork is not as easy as I used to realize my dream and better myself to be think. We are facing a more challenging indeed. And I have met awesome friends: the person I want to be. I will definitely Alia and Candice. They help me a lot academic environment, which will cost go through good times, hard times but with my annoying car-parking problem as me some days to adjust to. And the felnever bad times. The opportunity of bea new driver. low students are extraordinary and ing in USC and starting a brand new life Last week, we went to a shopping area knowledgeable. Talking with them makes is one of the best things in my life even me feel that I still have a long way to go. called the Grove and had a great time though homesickness is painful. It is you But I welcome challenges. They push me there. It was the first time that we exwho give me this opportunity. plored the auto city by bus even though to strive for excellence. I will see you soon at Christmas. No worries about my daily life. Cook- sometimes we got lost. But I think that is Thanks for all you have done for me! I ing is no longer a problem for me. Maybe the most interesting part of studying embrace you with all my heart. abroad. We tackle different kinds of because I am from a city of delicacy, I was born with the talent of cooking. I am problems all by ourselves. Without your Vivian a LOHAS (Lifestyles of Health and Sus- help, we have to grow up. I enjoy the new life here. But I do tainability) now, keeping workout almost By WEI WEI and VIVIAN YU

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Filming Locations in Los Angeles By YUMENG (VALERIA) WEI

Walking around Los Angeles, have you ever had a feeling of déjà vu with some of the street views that you saw? That is probably because you are in the actual filming set of a movie or a TV episode. In fact, the production of a movie or an episode is not limited to the indoor studios, Los Angeles and its surrounding communities together are a giant movie set beloved by the producers. In the movies or TV series of which the stories occur in Los Angeles, the places that are symbolic representational places of L.A. are frequently chosen as filming locations, such as the Sunset Boulevard, the Hollywood sign, Marina Del Rey, Malibu or Rodeo Drive. Believe it or not, the downtown area is also a popular filming choice. Most scenes in the movie 500 Days of Summer were shot in the downtown: the leading role Tom’s ecstatic routine after the first night he spent with Summer is performed in front of the Civic Center Mall; his favorite spot is a bench at Angel’s Knoll where he can overlook the entire downtown; his job interview, his breakup with Summer…all happen in this central, historical part of the city.

Angels Knoll is a famous landmark in Downtown L.A. In the Fox hit New Girl, the exterior scenes of the loft where Jess and his three roommates live are also filmed downtown, at 837 Traction Avenue to be exact. Some movies also set their stories elsewhere but were made in Los Angeles. For example the Oscar winner American Beauty tells a story that happened in the Chicago suburbs, but in reality was shot in the greater Los Angeles area. The William McKinley High School in Glee which is supposed to be in Lima, Ohio, is actually the Helen Bernstein High School in N.

Wilton Place, Hollywood. Now you have one more way to explore this amazing city – find out the filming locations of your favorite movies and go visit; picture yourself as your favorite character and literally put yourself in his/her place. You may have a brand new interpretation of the story. For more information about the filming locations, please check out these websites: http://www.movielocations. com & http://moviemaps.org

cross country trek every year to spread the message to help people with disabilities. By ZHAKA SHULENBAYEVA Journey of Hope is the trek across the America, starting from Almost every student in LanSan Francisco and ending in Washguage Academy makes the morning ington D.C. The team of bikers cy10 minute trip from home to the camcles an average of 75 miles per day, pus. Have you ever considered goa total of 4,000 miles. However, the ing further than campus? What about main object of this journey is not bikmaking a cross-country journey riding. ing a bike? Riders spend time with people When I first heard about this with disabilities in different commuidea, I laughed and did not believe “After meeting the people who nity events and activities, calling for that someone would venture to ride we were supporting, my focus on the community integration and helping to from one part of the country to anjourney transformed from pushing break the barriers that keep people other. However, the guys from the of all abilities from enjoying the life. See Journey of Hope on p. 8 Phi Kappa Psi fraternity make this

Journey of Hope Silvia

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ple to live a better life and the organizations dedicated Continued from p. 7 to increasing social awaremy body to supporting those ness of the plight that these people whose only wish was people are facing. Now the positive spirits to be able to walk”, says Troy, one of the participants of this activity not only push of this fascinating program. America forward but also have been spread to other During the 67 days of the trip, the bicyclists raised regions of the world. The Journey of Hope shows that $475,000 in total. Each of with determination, teamthe members contributed work, and sympathy, we can around $5,000 on the money went to the fundrais- make our planet and life wonderful. ers that help disabled peo-

Journey of Hope

USC Language Academy Rossier School of Education Phone: 213-740-0080 Fax: 213-740-0088 Web: www.usc.edu/langacad Check out The Academy News online at www.usc.edu/langacad.Go to “Student Information” and then click on “The Academy News.”

The Academy News is a weekly newsletter produced by students in the Journalism Elective of the USC Language Academy. All students in the Language Academy Program are encouraged to send news stories and photos to Sonja Lovelace at slovelac@usc.edu.

THE ACADEMY NEWS STAFF Editor: Valeria Wei Assistant Editor: Leo Wu Reporters: Faisal Almutairi, Zhiqi (Scarlett) Chen, Shangyi Cheng, Fitsum Fanta, Yuan Feng, Xi (Silvia) Feng, Ranran Li, Zijun (Mike) Lu, Peiyang Shi, Zhaka Shulenbayeva, Mingxu Sun, Lun (Allen) Tian, Jingyi Wang, Yumeng (Valeria) Wei, Daojun (Leo) Wu, Meiyi Yu, Weiwei (Vivian) Yu, Yerkanat Zaitov, Assyl Zhakupov, Yating (Evelyn) Zhao

Pics of the Week

Language Academy students tried kayaking in Long Beach last Friday afternoon. Kayaking requires careful balancing, which the students soon figured out.