Grad School in LA… WITHOUT A CAR?!?!

September 19, 2025
by Trinity

Fieldwork Living in LA

Hello all!

New fieldwork assignments are about to begin, and with that in mind, I wanted to write about navigating the program without a car.

One thing about me is that I HATE driving, especially in Los Angeles. Beyond the actual driving part, paying for parking, finding an affordable gas station, and dealing with car insurance are extra stressors that I have chosen not to take on for the four years I have lived here.

Being able to make this choice is an incredible privilege! While the public transit in Los Angeles does have a bit of a negative reputation, I know I am lucky that this is even an option for me since a car is essential in most American cities. That being said, it does take flexibility, time management, and willingness to make things work to rely on this option for everything.

Here in Los Angeles, most of the public transit does connect to major attractions. For example, I can take the light rail right to famous museums, restaurants, and Union Station. The light rail as well as the Metro buses are covered by USC’s UPASS program, so students can ride for free. Students also get a discount on Metrolink tickets, which connects all of southern California.

Because I have been here for four years, I have gotten fairly used to public transportation and USC shuttles as my main means of getting around. Since most of my life exists on a college campus, this has not been too bad.

However, the fieldwork component of the occupational therapy program has made relying on public transit a bit more challenging (but not impossible). Fieldwork placements can be anywhere within the vicinity of USC, which can mean up to a 2 hour commute away depending on where you stay. Most people get placements that are near their homes, which makes it a better commute.

Still, most people have cars in the program because of the commute and the potential distance to the fieldwork sites. I have gotten really lucky, and I still have not had to bring a car for fieldwork or any other obligations I have here. This is because of my willingness to put location of site as my number one priority as I make my fieldwork wishlists, as well as the generosity of my friends in the program.

My first fieldwork location was a mental health site in Long Beach, California. I was going to take the train, but my lovely fieldwork partner, Angela, picked me up every week. I will be forever grateful that she helped me get to fieldwork, and I definitely owe her one for life! Carpooling is one option that has saved me from getting a car in the program.

Next, I had my pediatric fieldwork in a children’s mental and behavioral health clinic. This location was within walking distance, and I was able to get there with ease every week. It was a huge blessing. Of course, this is not very common. I am not sure anyone else ever had a site as close as mine was to me.

This semester I am doing my geriatrics fieldwork at an assisted living facility in Sierra Madre. I will be taking a combination of public transportation options to get there. I was paired with one of my good friends, Joseph, in the program for this rotation, and we are going to take public transit together.

I still know several other people in the program who do not have cars, so it is definitely possible! There, of course, are elements of compromise. Sometimes, you won’t get your first choice of a site or it may take a while to get there. For me though, it is worth it financially and emotionally to not have a car. This might change with my next rotation, but I am so grateful this has been an option for me thus far. My biggest piece of advice is to make the most out of every fieldwork experience, even if it was not your first choice or if the commute is long. There is always something to learn at every place. Truly, I have been so incredibly lucky in this program!

TLDR: While it can present challenges, it is absolutely possible not to have a car in the program, especially if you are willing to be flexible and lean on others for support.

 

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