When I moved from Arizona to attend MBKU, I felt like I had everything figured out, except I did not have a car. But, reflecting back on the school year, I think everything worked out!
Here's How:
One of the biggest reasons I felt comfortable moving without a car was that I found a place within walking distance of campus. Being able to walk to class every day made life much easier and saved me from dealing with parking or transportation costs. And, as a bonus, I got a little walking workout every day!
That being said, if you want to travel farther, public transportation is always an option. If you're the type of person who relies on buses, the nearest bus stop is about a 10-minute walk away. It's the same stop that many Cal State Fullerton students use, so it's a helpful option to know if you ever need to get around when you don't have a ride.
The Unexpected Solution: Your Classmates
What I didn't realize before starting school was how quickly I'd make friends.
Literally on the first day, I met a bunch of people. Some were from the Howdy Party, and others I met during orientation. From there on out, we pretty much hung out after orientation every day.
One thing I quickly learned about MBKU students is that everyone is so supportive and helpful. At the beginning of the program, everyone is adjusting to a new environment, looking to make friends, and figuring out graduate school together. Our Discord servers and class group chats quickly became a great way to stay connected, get to know one another, and make plans outside of school. If people were planning to go somewhere farther away, whether it was a beach bonfire, trying a new restaurant, or exploring Orange County, someone would usually offer to carpool in the group chat. It made everything easier, saved money, and honestly made those outings even more fun!
Carpooling becomes Part of Life
As the semester went on, carpooling became completely normal.
Whether it was going to the clinic for patient assist, attending school events, or just hanging out on weekends, there was usually someone headed in the same direction. Since many of us had similar schedules, coordinating rides didn't feel difficult.
If you're worried about not having a car, my advice would be not to stress too much. Graduate school is surprisingly collaborative, and transportation often becomes a team effort.
Grocery Shopping Without a Car
The other question everyone asks is, "Okay, but what about groceries?"
For me, grocery delivery became my best friend. There are plenty of grocery stores nearby, so using delivery services was usually pretty convenient when I needed to stock up.
For smaller things, I would sometimes walk to Target if I needed something urgently. It was actually a nice excuse to get some extra steps in after sitting in class all day. I also always felt pretty comfortable walking around the area since there were usually other students and people out and about.
And honestly, some of my grocery trips became social outings. For example, my friends and I would go study at Whole Foods and then pick up some groceries on the way out. What started as a simple errand often turned into a fun hangout.
My Biggest Advice for Incoming Students
If you're moving to MBKU from out of state or even from another part of California, don't underestimate how important it is to put yourself out there during those first few weeks!
Stay after orientation and grab food with classmates! Join the group chats! Say yes when people invite you to things!
Some of my closest friendships started from spontaneous plans during orientation week, and those friendships ended up making everyday life so much easier. Whether it was getting a ride somewhere, studying together, grocery shopping, or just having people to lean on during stressful weeks, having a supportive friend group made a huge difference.
So, if you're starting at MBKU soon and debating whether you absolutely need a car, know that it can definitely be done. More importantly, know that you're about to join a community that's incredibly supportive, welcoming, and willing to help each other out along the way.
You've got this! :)