Language barriers cause culture shock


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I thought that part of studying abroad in an English-speaking country such as England meant that I would be spared the confusion and hassle of living in a place where communicating with the locals is difficult and generally awkward. I was wrong. It’s not that I can’t understand the people here; I can, most of the […]

Tarantino script leak could set legal precedent


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Director Quentin Tarantino has chosen his next project: a real-life legal drama. And like so many of his blood-splattered protagonists, the director of Kill Bill and Django Unchained wants revenge. A week after calling Deadline’s Mike Fleming, Jr. to announce that someone in his inner circle had leaked an early draft of his planned ensemble […]

Salads make for healthy alternative


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Week three of classes and we are all still alive and kicking. Congratulations and Happy Wednesday, Trojans! I hope everyone is managing their time well and that their New Year’s diets are still intact — if not, I have a great recipe that might help you stay on track while still satisfying those stubborn cravings. […]

Learning to love LA takes patience


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During the third period of the National Hockey League Stadium Series last weekend, the Anaheim Ducks fans started a particularly obnoxious “Beat L.A.!” chant. True, they were ahead 2-0 in what was turning into a frustrating shutout of my beloved Los Angeles Kings, so Ducks fans had every right to go ahead and gloat. Or […]

Copyright battle reveals competitive side of industry


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Copyright law is about as much of a headache as anything in the U.S. legal system. When it comes to         issues of trademark and the rights to certain terms and  concepts, it inevitably gets messy. Such is the case in the current legal battle between King.com, the purveyor of games such […]

LACMA fútbol exhibit fuses art and athletics


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Over winter break, I came into the possession of a Los Angeles County Museum of Art pass. Being the broke college student that I am, I’ve spent a lot of time in recent weeks trolling the LACMA website, looking for exhibits to attend. One show in particular caught my eye: “Fútbol: The Beautiful Game.” I […]

Voice acting and the Oscars


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On the heel of the Academy Award nominations last week, there has been plenty of analysis over who got just recognition and who got snubbed. There will always be performances that are overlooked by the Academy (and the seemingly endless string of yearly awards that precede the Oscars). This year, one in particular is not […]

Edible holidays satisfy any craving


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Happy Hump Day, foodies! On tap this week is a slew of scrumptious holidays that are sure to inspire you to get out and try them or go invade your local grocery store and fill your carts with sweet-smelling noms that will bring your friends from far and wide. I hope everyone has a tasty […]

Decision to study abroad as exciting as it is difficult


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“Do you plan on studying abroad?” It’s a question that every advisor asks, and it’s a decision that all USC students must face. It seems like just yesterday I was walking into my first advising appointment as an eager freshman and answering that question with a firm yes. Now it’s two years later, and I’m […]

Jack Ryan is a rare diamond in the rough of January movies


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It’s no secret that January is considered Hollywood’s dumping ground: a mass grave for misfits and miscreants whose releases have been strategically timed to go relatively unnoticed amid the plush pageantry of awards season. Every year brings the same ragged procession of interchangeable demonic possession movies (Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones, this weekend’s Devil’s Due), […]