It’s been just about two weeks since I've been at Berkeley, all pumped up for this new stage of life. It's really only just hit that I am truly, actually, a legal grownup in college but the fear of that realization is significantly lightened when I reflect on why I'm here in the first place. The day I attended International Orientation was the first time I had ever been on the UC Berkeley campus, and it felt like coming home. So with that, here’s 5 reasons why I’ve already fallen in love with Cal:

1. The campus: To anyone who hasn’t seen the Berkeley campus yet, you’re seriously missing out (anyone not attending Berkeley is missing out if you ask me). Sure, I can’t find my way around campus without Google Maps yet, but all the better, because every day I’ll find a new place to fall in love with.
2. The people: If you’re lucky, you’ll get a really good housing assignment. But if you’re even luckier (like me), you’ll get a really awesome roommate (Sunny G if you’re reading this, you’re welcome). As another consequence of living communally, some of the first friends I made were the people on my floor, who made the process of living alone for the first time so much easier (and better) because we were all in the same boat.
3. The Food: Safe to say everyone’s heard that the food at Berkeley is amazing, and living in the Units guarantees close access to good food outside the dining halls as well. Names like The Asian Ghetto and Artichoke Basille’s Pizza, among others, have become familiar places to grab some grub in case the dining hall just isn’t cutting it.
4. The Weather: I’ll be honest; I was expecting warmer weather. I thought Berkeley, being in California, would be all beaches and sun and cute dresses. Nope, definitely not. But I’m quickly growing to love the temperamental nature of the weather here. It’s surely colder than I’m used to (especially in the shade), but its pleasantly warm to sit in a patch of sunlight with some Boba tea (how classically Californian I am becoming) and spend a few moments soaking it all in.
5. The Diversity: The benefit of having a huge undergraduate class is definitely the sheer diversity of people you get to meet. In classes of 400 students, I’ve sat next to a different person every time and we’ve got a world of experiences between us.

I know it’s only the beginning of the semester and I know that the real pressure Cal is known for has yet to kick in. But if I’m starting my freshman year on such a good note, I know I can only expect better things to come. Sure, home is halfway across the world, but I’ve never felt more blessed to call Cal my home now too. Go bears!