Student Blog

Joshua Tree and Me: My Hometown Vacation ⟩
August 14, 2025, by Trinity

Community

Hello! My name is Trinity, and I think one of the coolest things about me is that I am from Joshua Tree, California! It is basically a part of my personality at this point. Coming from a small place like Joshua Tree to a big city like Los Angeles has been an interesting experience, but both places are beautiful in their own way. For context, Joshua Tree is about 2 and a half hours from USC. It is a popular weekend trip destination for many USC students for camping, rock climbing, and vacationing. I definitely recommend going if you are at USC or in the area! Most people in Los Angeles go to Joshua Tree to get away from the hustle and bustle. That’s true for me too, but it’s pretty neat that one person’s vacation can be the same place I call home!

When I tell people where I am from, they almost always ask, “What did you even do out there?” This is totally valid honestly because if you have ever driven through Joshua Tree, you probably got the feeling that you were on another planet. We don’t have much, just a few restaurants and grocery stores. But we do have the second largest national park in California, and that makes it pretty special.

Some of my favorite activities to do in the national park are hiking, camping, and scrambling. You can find a lot of cool places that you don’t have to pay too much to explore, such as Black Rock or Indian Cove. My favorite hike in the national park is called 49 Palms Oasis Trail. If you want to check out this hike, make sure it is open! It closes after big storms and in the summer. Other hikes that are easy are Barker Dam, Black Rock Canyon, and the Mojave Desert preserve nature trail.

There are cool sights that you can drive to as well, such as Skull Rock. Even just driving through the national park is a great way to spend the day.

If you do end up coming to Joshua Tree, the night sky is worth staying overnight for. The one thing I miss more than anything else is seeing stars! And while you are there, try to catch a sunset or sunrise. They are unmatched!

As for food in the Joshua Tree area, there are some iconic ma and pa shops that are a must visit. Joshua Tree Saloon, right next to the Joshua Tree souvenir shop, is one such spot. I also like Frontier Cafe and Pappy and Harriet’s. I really recommend buying from the local businesses if you can!

Some other classic must dos in Joshua Tree are the Farmers Market, the swap meet, the sound baths, or the many children’s playgrounds all around the area. Air BnBs are a huge part of the town as well. Joshua Tree is really for those who want to relax, get in tune with nature, and leave the world behind for a while.

If you do come visit, please treat Joshua Tree with kindness and respect the locals who love it enough to take care of it for the long run. The ecosystem is fragile but so very special. There is really nowhere like this wonderful place, and I hope you can see the beauty in it if you go!

I used to wish that I could be anywhere else, but now that I don’t live there anymore, I just can’t wait to go back home to Joshua Tree.

 

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My Summer Reading Picks ⟩
August 7, 2025, by Cara

School/Life Balance

At the start of the year, I made a resolution to read more – at least one book a month. A couple of years ago, I bought two trending books, but they ended up just sitting untouched on my desk. Between school, work, and extracurriculars, I rarely found the time to sit down and read.

This year, however, I made it a priority to set aside time to read. As a result, I’ve read 8 books between spring and summer. Each one has left me with something valuable –  whether it was a new skill, a life lesson, stress management tools, or better self-awareness. If you’re looking for something new to read, here are some I recommend. 

1. The Comfort Zone by Kristen Butler

This was one of those books I bought years ago, but I’m glad I didn’t ignore it any longer. It challenges the common belief that we need to step outside of our comfort zones to thrive, and instead argues that your comfort zone is the powerhouse for growth. Inside your comfort zone, you can focus on your strengths and passions, boosting both motivation and confidence. That doesn’t mean never stepping out, just doing it thoughtfully so you adapt without stress. Simply put, setting small achievable goals. The diagrams, mindfulness exercises, and journal prompts included throughout the book not only helped me retain the concepts but also gave me tools to refer to whenever I find myself outside my comfort zone.

2. Surrounded by Idiots by Thomas Erikson

 

Part of what drew me to this book was its funny title, but also its focus on communication and personality types. It classifies people into four colors – red, yellow, green, blue – which represent different ways of thinking, feeling, perceiving, reacting, and being productive. The main takeaway is that if you want to connect better with others, you need to adjust how you communicate based on their style, not just your own. It really helped me recognize my habits and the ways in which I interact with others, both personally and professionally.

3. Dharma Is Everywhere by Revs. Bob and Patti Oshita

 

I grew up Buddhist, and this book is a collection of messages from two retired reverends at my church, shared during their time serving the California State Assembly. Being away from my local temple, this book has given me a comforting sense of home. I could picture myself seated in the hondo (main hall), surrounded by the sweet fragrance of burning incense, with my head bowed, eyes shut, and hands pressed together in reverence for the reverend’s speech. Each message is heart-felt and thought-provoking, and I often return to certain ones when I’m facing situations similar to what Rev. Bob and Patti experienced, using their reflections to help me find a solution.

4. The Courage To Be Disliked by Ichiro Kishimi and Fumitake Koga

 

I’m halfway through this book, and I like that it’s written as a discussion between a philosopher and a young man, which makes me feel like I’m right there listening to their conversation. It breaks down theories from Adlerian psychology and focuses on the notion that we aren’t trapped by our past but shaped by the goals we pursue. So far, it’s helped me realize how much I’ve let others’ opinions affect me, and why it’s important to stay true to myself.

Taking the time to read has cultivated a lot of meaning and self-growth for me. I hope one of these books can do the same for you. Happy reading!

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Practice Immersion Edition: Shifting from Pediatrics mindset to Geriatrics mindset ⟩
July 29, 2025, by Az

Classes School/Life Balance

Hello! In this blog, I wanted to talk about navigating and shifting from the pediatrics mindset from Spring semester to the geriatrics mindset for this semester. There are a lot of switching gears and understanding two opposite populations’ perspectives and goals in their activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs).

To begin, my first immersion at USC Chan was in pediatrics. Right after winter break, I was a little nervous and excited about starting my pediatrics immersion and learning about the unique aspects of children. Throughout my Spring semester, I experienced a hands-on experience that helped me understand the different types of clinical correlates that is relevant to the pediatric population. In labs, we were taught about dysphagia, holding babies, writing, and different assessments to use depending on the age group and the domain of the assessments. It was a fun immersion and allowed me to connect with my friends in the cohort. Shout-out to my friends Sam, Lilia, Aliza, Shanan, and Haeun.

In Geriatrics, I quickly realized that the use of universal “we” is not as common as it had been in pediatrics. This shift challenged my communication style within the older adult population. Moving away from phrases like “Let’s do it together” and “we are going to [activity]” mindset to a more client-centered and individualized approach that fits the older adult population.

During my first standardized patient in geriatrics immersion, I found myself using the universal “we” when I instructed them to do the activities in a sequential order. It was a clear understanding that there are different approaches that are needed for different populations. Transitioning from a pediatric to a geriatric mindset has been a challenge and I am eager to learn more and expand my understanding of occupational therapy in this population. Below is a picture of me during a small group lab for assistive technology for low vision individuals.

Anyway, that’s it for now 😊

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Climbing, OT, and Me ⟩
July 25, 2025, by Katelyn

Community Living in LA School/Life Balance

Even before starting OT school here at USC Chan, rock climbing was my escape. It was a place where I could disconnect from the noise of my life and simply move. The walls were puzzles, and my body was the solution. I loved the physical challenge, the focus it demanded, and the way climbing left me grounded and at peace.

So, where did my love for climbing come from?

Since I was a child, I’ve always loved the outdoors. My childhood best friend and I spent hours in our backyards. We dug for worms, chased lizards, collected rolly-pollys, and climbed the wall that separated our houses. Once we reached the top, we triumphantly ate unripe fruit straight off a tree. While I cannot pinpoint the exact moment my love for rock climbing started, I know I’ve loved the art of climbing, whether it be a tree, a backyard wall, or even a boulder. Climbing felt like a dance: hauling my body upwards, finding handholds I could trust, and shimmying my toes into the tiniest of footholds. It felt intuitive. Natural. Joyful.

Naturally, as I grew older, I explored opportunities to rock climb. At community fairs, I would scramble up plastic rock walls, catching fair technicians off guard as a scrawny little girl climbed up the wall as if her life depended on it. I loved climbing.

My eyes were opened in my freshman year of undergrad. My RA happened to be an avid rock climber and decided to invite a group of her residents to a rock climbing gym. The irony? We visited a climbing gym in my hometown of Arcadia, CA. I was stunned. My life was changed. Since that instance, I have bought a membership to Hangar18 and have climbed on and off for the last 6 years.

Climbing has become my outlet, a time when I can be fully present in my task. It has become a time for stress relief, to build confidence, and for me to nourish myself. Alongside these wonderful perks of climbing, it has also become a time when I connect with others. Whether it be sharing beta on a route, encouraging newly made friends mid-climb, or just laughing with friends during a bouldering session. I’ve come to appreciate climbing. Like many occupations, climbing holds many layers: physical, cognitive, emotional, and social.

Since beginning my program here, climbing has taken on multiple layers of meaning. In class, we often discuss “occupation” as more than what people do; rather, it’s who they are. Suddenly, I see climbing in a new light, not just as a sport, but rather a powerful occupation that shapes my identity, supports my mental health, and brings community into my life.

I’ve started seeing others at the gym differently. The people I interact with are not just climbers; they’re occupational beings. I’ve noticed how people adapt quickly when they fall, they self-regulate when frustrated, and how the climbing gym fosters inclusion. Ultimately, these are the same lenses I bring to fieldwork as a future clinician, observing, participating, and providing meaning all in real time.

Especially in such a demanding program like USC Chan’s E-OTD program, holding onto meaningful occupations like climbing has reminded me why I chose this path. Because at the heart of Occupational Therapy, there is a belief that what people do matters. And for me, climbing does.

Ta-ta for now!

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What in the world is a Maymester? My time abroad in Spain and Italy ⟩
July 11, 2025, by Avery

Classes Externships

I have always wanted to study abroad in college. I love to travel, experience new cultures, and see the world from different perspectives. However, when I started the accelerated BS-OTD program at USC Chan, I quickly realized that spending an entire semester abroad would be challenging.

In our program, we complete most of our undergraduate credits in just three years, which doesn’t leave much room for a traditional semester abroad. While it is possible, it requires a careful plan from the start of freshman year to squeeze in all required credits. I wasn’t ready to commit to it my freshman year, so for a while, I thought I had missed my chance to study abroad.

That’s when I discovered one of USC’s best-kept secrets: the Maymester.

So, what in the world is a Maymester?

A USC Maymester is a short, intensive study abroad program offered right after the spring semester, usually from mid-May to mid-June (allowing you to return in time for that June 15th internship start date!). These programs count as part of your spring course load and typically last three to four weeks, allowing students to earn academic credit while being fully immersed in a new cultural and academic environment.

Maymesters are faculty-led: a USC professor designs the course content and location and travels abroad with the group. Most Maymester courses are worth four units (the same as a regular semester class) but condensed into four immersive, action-packed weeks. There are Maymesters in a huge range of subjects, from math to storytelling, food and culture, law, and beyond.

Whether a student’s program makes it tough to go abroad for a full semester, or they just don’t want to miss that much time on campus, Maymesters are a great way to gain international experience without the full semester commitment.

I was lucky enough to go on a Maymester of my own this spring. On May 17th, I packed my bags and headed to the airport, ready to learn in a new country alongside peers I had never met before.

I took a class titled WRIT 380: Writing Sustainable Futures. For three weeks in Spain and one week in Sicily, we explored how climate change is reshaping migration across the Mediterranean. We studied how Spain and Sicily approach sustainability, climate policy, and immigration (topics that are becoming more urgent every day) and compared them to what we see in the U.S. We visited Madrid, Seville, Barcelona, and Syracuse, learning directly from local communities, and organizations. For our final project, we created a plan to bring one of these ideas home to Los Angeles.

It turns out that cities like LA have a lot to learn from places like Spain and Sicily. The climate crisis is about more than rising temperatures — it affects people’s daily lives, displaces communities, and changes how we experience the world.

Even though this wasn’t an OT-specific class, as a future occupational therapist, I was especially interested in how sustainable living conditions affect people’s well-being. I had the privilege of visiting countless local NGOs, non-profits, and government groups, learning the work they are doing to protect immigrants, communities, and this planet. I learned that cities designed with nature, walkable neighborhoods, and strong community support help people live healthier lives — values we don’t always prioritize back home.

I left the class feeling inspired to use what I learned to help people and our climate back home. Whether that is through my future practice, advocacy work, or everyday conversations, I can’t wait to put these lessons into action and help build healthier, more sustainable communities.

Outside of class, my peers and I made the most of every moment in Spain and Sicily. We became fast friends, and whenever we weren’t in lectures or writing essays, we were exploring. Beaches, museums, soccer games, ancient ruins, parks, new cities, cathedrals, shopping streets, boats, new foods, paddle boarding — you name it, we did it.

After the program wrapped up in Sicily, I took advantage of being abroad to keep traveling and check a few more destinations off my bucket list, including Rome, Venice, and Florence.

I truly could not be more grateful to have had the opportunity to study abroad in this fashion. The USC Maymester is just one of the countless fabulous opportunities available at this university.

Even if you can’t study abroad or go on a Maymester, let this be your reminder to take advantage of the resources this school has to offer. If you’re thinking about a Maymester, or any opportunity that pushes you outside your comfort zone, go for it. You’ll come back with new friends, new memories, and a perspective that’s worth every minute. If you’re curious about Maymesters, check out the USC Dornsife FLP website or talk to your academic advisor — you might be surprised at how many options there are. And if you have any questions about my experience or what it’s like to study abroad as an OT student, feel free to reach out, I’d love to share more and help you plan your own adventure!

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