For applied design student Karina Hernandez, navigating campus life changed drastically when she went from San Diego City College to San Diego State University in 2025.
“Transferring is always a really nerve-wracking process, and I think that’s the thing that I regret when I look back,” Hernandez said. “I would utilize all the resources that you get here at (City), because fortunately, you are in (a) community college that has a lot of different resources.”
As easy as it was to access the City College Transfer Center and talk to a counselor here at City, Hernandez found those resources much more difficult to access as she navigated SDSU.
“You’re going to learn, eventually, (that in) a bigger university with thousands of students,” she said. “You can’t just walk in and have questions. You’re rarely going to see an in-person human being to speak to.”
The Transfer Center and the Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Connections Center hosted the “Life After City” student panel on Tuesday, April 28.
Former City students, such as Hernandez and film major Elvis To, were able to share their experiences with the transfer process, as well as some of the experiences navigating their new campus life.
To sought to move outside of San Diego after he finished at City.
“Although my parents and my siblings don’t believe me on this, I want to be the first in my family to break this cycle of graduating in San Diego,” To said. “So even if your parents don’t agree with you, I’d say continue taking that shot. If it’s something that you want to pursue, just go for it. Just take that shot.”
To also sought support from counselors during his time in City College, who encouraged his choice to transfer to UC Santa Cruz.
“Thanks to my counselor helping me out, I decided, screw it, (I) might just continue down what I have right now,” he said. “It wasn’t really nerve-wracking, but just utilizing the resources, especially if you’re going to transfer.”
Another panelist and City alum, Anthony Dramani, found different ways to balance taking care of his family in San Diego and going to school at UCLA.
“Every weekend, I didn’t take classes on Fridays, so that way I (could) take the train back to San Diego,” Dramani said. “Then by Sunday, I take the train back to L.A., and also I was working during the weekdays.”
Dramani opened up about how he wanted to give up UCLA due to the sheer burnout of constantly moving back and forth.
However, what motivated him to push forward were the relationships he built in his new setting.
“The good thing (is) I had some friends,” Dramani said. “(My friends) will be like, ‘Okay, we’ll take notes for you. Make sure you pay attention to the group chat,’ and my professors were really supportive.”
Inclusive City Achievement Network counselor Kelly Giang helped facilitate the event, sharing her experience as a transfer student from City College to UCLA.
“I decided I want to take a shot and go somewhere else,” Giang said. “Don’t be scared. Just know that even if you do leave, you will always have a home to come back to, especially here at City.”
This story was edited by Crow Ruiz and Itzel Martinez.
