Gems of the Santa Clara Experience

Your days at Santa Clara are numbered. Have you accomplished everything you wanted to? Thought not. Here is a list of some must-do's before you get your diploma.

Travel

Picture living with a host family in Burkina Faso, exploring the Jesuit history in El Salvador or even painting murals in rural Nicaragua. 

At least once in your four years at Santa Clara, you should take advantage of the numerous opportunities to explore the world that this school provides. From study abroad placements and immersion trips to Global Social Benefit Fellowship placements and the Jean Donovan Fellowship, the travel possibilities are boundless. If financial constraints limit you, do not fear; the school is mindful about financial aid and travel scholarships when they are needed. Don't miss out on the many opportunities available here at Santa Clara.

Take at least one class you enjoy

It's quite easy to go through two years and realize you have yet to take a class that wasn't forced down your throat. 

It's easy to forget to stop and smell the roses when we're required to take numerous Pathway courses, enroll in three religion classes and satisfy a variety of other requirements.

If you strategically plan your schedule, you can squeeze in a few classes you actually want to take. 

This sounds wild, I know, but it's been done. If you're a civil engineer balancing classes on concrete, earthquakes, and structural design, take advantage of the core curriculum to try that ballet class you've always wanted or explore digital photography.

Live in Swig Hall, or befriend someone who does

As one of the most dense concentration of humans in the Santa Clara County,  Swig Hall is much more than a residence hall: It's a way of life. 

Few times in your life will you get to live in a building with so much insanity and young blood. Though there are drawbacks to living in such close quarters (like the swine flu outbreak of 2009), if you've survived Swig, you can live anywhere. 

Living in Swig is a continuous string of invaluable, unforgettable life lessons you must experience if you really want to say, "I went to Santa Clara." 

Adventure with a fellow Bronco

When was the last time you did something spontaneous? Next Saturday afternoon, hop on the Caltrain and explore San Fransisco. Maybe head to Santa Cruz for a hike with some pals. Regardless of what you do, utilize the beautiful Bay Area environment. In short, pop the Santa Clara bubble every once in a while.

Attend Bay to Breakers

Imagine every student you've ever met at this school unleashed, uninhibited and adorned head to toe in neon or some other outrageous ensemble marching to the Caltrain at 4 a.m. 

Consistently, Bay to Breakers is the single most powerful occurrence of spirit I have experienced at Santa Clara. Packed like sardines, Broncos are literally dangling from the second floor, plastered with silly smiles and overflowing with anticipation. 

What's in store the rest of the day? You'll just have to see for yourself. For now, mark your calendar for this year's - May 19.

Buck the Zags

If you feel like you haven't gotten your fill of school spirit, attend a Santa Clara game against Gonzaga University. This is compulsory. Clad in crimson with painted faces and raging adrenaline, our student body is a sight to see. Plus, when you see your classmates on Bellomy Street at 2 a.m. lighting a couch on fire in the middle of the street, you can't help but wonder what havoc would have erupted if we still had a football team. 

Crash the Grad Picnic

After four years at Santa Clara, you will quickly find that the best parties at Santa Clara are the ones thrown by Santa Clara itself.  Featuring gourmet food, hot California summer weather, several ice cream dispensers, multiple bar and drink stations, catchy music, entertaining dancing, and all your favorite graduating seniors, the Graduation Picnic is amazing. Not to mention, if you're 21 and have always wanted to play beer pong or flip cup with  your roommate's mom, here's your chance. 

Basically, there's no reason to ever spend a Saturday alone and bored here. This school has many hidden gems, and you only have four years to  discover them.