Growing up in a small coastal village, has provided me with a great sense of community, but it does not feed my intellectual and cultural appetite. As a child, I would fantasize about living in Los Angeles, a haven for people of all variations. I began the search for colleges in the Southern California area, when I discovered Occidental College. I was in disbelief when I found such a perfect college, almost tailor made to my wishes. Occidental is unique in the fact it resides is the bustling metropolis of Los Angles but reserves the qualities of a small town life with its intimate population. In addition to the fantastic location, size, and welcoming student body, the international relations department has proved to be nothing less than