After five years at UCLA, I am convinced that Disneyland needs
to give their “Happiest Place on Earth” motto to UCLA.
OK, maybe that’s an exaggeration, but I really feel that UCLA
is the best place for a student to be. What student wouldn’t be
happy here? The architecture and weather combine to make UCLA the
most beautiful campus in the country. We have great faculty and
abundant academic opportunity. We have one of the best sports
programs in the country. We have it all.
I first suspected that UCLA was a great place when I was in high
school and researching colleges. I took advantage of having an
older sister already in college, and I talked to her friends about
how they liked the schools they went to. Most loved their schools,
but some didn’t. The only school that everyone loved was
UCLA. I was pretty sure that I could be happy at a lot of schools,
but it said something about UCLA that everyone was happy here.
In addition to the qualities I mentioned above, my favorite
thing about UCLA is the opportunities outside the classroom. Almost
everyone I meet is involved in some activity or campus group, and
usually more than one. With almost 700 registered student groups,
there is definitely something for everyone. I personally made it a
goal to take advantage of my time here. Being involved in student
groups has made me appreciate UCLA and the students who go
here.
Volunteering for the Student Alumni Association, I have seen,
over and over again, the amazing things UCLA students have the
ability to do. Considering the size, longevity and success of
UCLA’s biggest traditions, it is hard to imagine that these
events, including Homecoming, Beat ‘SC week and Spring Sing,
are all put on by students in their spare time. I truly believe
that a group of UCLA students with a goal can accomplish
anything.
SAA has also given me the opportunity to network with alumni,
whether through the Alumni Database or at Career Network events.
Seeing how much alumni care about UCLA, and how enthusiastically
they want to help students, makes me appreciate being in the Bruin
family.
UCLA has also given me unique academic opportunities. For
example, the summer after my junior year, I participated in a
travel study course on the Battle of Gettysburg. We spent two weeks
in Gettysburg, Washington D.C. and other Civil War sites. Being at
the actual locations we were studying changed the way I looked at
history. The power of UCLA’s name, and the influence of
Professor Joan Waugh, allowed us to have rare access ““ such
as researching in the Adams County archives and hearing private
lectures from experts such as the Gettysburg National Park
director.
I joked about a new motto for UCLA, but I am proud that our
motto is “Where great futures begin.” I think it truly
represents the broad education received here, both inside and
outside the classroom.
Kaplan was the 2002-2003 SAA president.