I lived my freshman year as a hermit crab. 

Coming in as a spring admit with no previous knowledge or preconceptions of Los Angeles, I was lost. I was already in a drought of friends from not attending USC in the fall, but the idea of venturing out into the unknown, bustling city seemed even more frightening to me — someone born and raised in the same place their whole lives. From the endless HBO Max binge nights in my dorm to the unlimited swipes at the dining halls, USC was a little too convenient for me. With no resources on where to go outside of campus and little to no transportation, I felt shelled off from South Central.

Flash forward to sophomore year. After adding one or two friends to my contact list, and even a boyfriend, I quickly re-entered my freshman worries. When it came down to planning where to eat or what to do in the area with my newfound friends, I found myself at a loss. Again. Since I didn’t explore the surrounding South Central area my freshman year, and hardly my sophomore year, I was at a loss for words on where to take my friends to hang out or what to eat with my boyfriend. 

Though I’m thankful for the people around me for stepping up to the plate and pushing me outside of my comfort zone to explore South Central, I felt ridiculous for not knowing the hottest spots in the very city where I attend school and have lived for two years – like a tourist in my own city

Now entering my junior year, I’m determined to finally immerse myself in L.A.’s culture. South Central’s vibrant colors, concrete jungles and the melting pot of food is a community I’ve ignored for so long, but grew so quickly to love. From the local taco stands to the friendly corner stores, South Central is a hub for small businesses and mixed cultures from every part of the globe. 

As college students, most of us only have a set time in South Central to explore such a diverse city that some people across the country can only hope to move to. I say we take advantage of what the city has to offer before we graduate and have to kiss USC goodbye, because once we leave we’ll regret it forever. 

I hope that our guide in this supplement not only serves as a starting point, but encourages you to discover your own South Central secrets. Some of us worked so hard to get to this school, so it’s about time to cut loose, eat the best food in town and explore L.A.’s diverse culture. 

Now step out of your shell. Explore the city. Try that street vendor. I promise, South Central will welcome you.