When I left my job with HP France in July 2006, I was interested in relocating to the to work in sales. In order to achieve this goal, I knew I would need to improve my English as well as familiarize myself with the American business environment. While researching various language and business programs, I learned about ALC through a French study-abroad agency.  I selected ALC’s English program based on strong recommendations, on the prestigious image of UCLA as well as the variety of available levels and elective classes.  ALC also appealed to me because I wanted to pursue a business certificate program at UCLA Extension and apply for Optional Practical Training, and ALC seemed to provide the right preparation for that goal.  Before I made my final decision, I also got in touch with a couple of previous ALC students, who gave me positive feedback about the courses.

Overall, I’m very proud of my tremendous experience at ALC! My interactions with my classmates & teachers and developing knowledge about new topics relevant to American culture left a lasting impression on me.  The complete English immersion experience (listening, reading, writing, speaking + elective classes) helped me transition from an intermediate to an advanced speaker, where I was finally able to actually read an original novel in English, make a speech about teamwork in my Business English elective class, and express myself in English on my website.  The four courses I took also helped me develop knowledge about American culture and gave me a deeper understanding of the American mentality and way of life.

Although I spent 80% of my free time doing homework, I still found plenty of time to socialize, work out, and explore Los Angeles and its variety of cafes, clubs and beaches.  In fact, I’m still in touch with several classmates I used to hang out with, who come from every corner of the world, such as Brazil, Turkey,  Argentina, France, Japan and Saudi Arabia .

In August 2007, before starting the Certificate Program in General Business, I accomplished a “solo” road trip though California. In 10 days, I drove 1800 miles, and I discovered Salinas, Monterey, Oakland, San Francisco, Sausalito, Napa Valley, Sacramento, South Lake Tahoe, Seaside, Carmel by the Sea / Monterey, Big Sur. During this road trip, I fell in love with Carmel-By-The-Sea.

Feel free to visit UCLA Extension website. It's here !