This summer, I got the chance to visit Occidental College, a small liberal arts college located in the Eagle Rock neighborhood of Los Angeles. With just under 1,900 undergraduates, Oxy offers a tight-knit, residential campus while still being fully immersed in one of the largest and most diverse cities in the country.
You may know Oxy as the place that President Barack Obama started his college education. While he may certainly be the most famous former student, he is one of many Oxy students passionate about creating lasting change in their community. Oxy’s student body is known for being progressive, engaged, and activist-minded, and that energy shows up both inside and outside the classroom. Oxy students care deeply about social issues and are encouraged to take meaningful action in their communities and beyond.
The campus itself is beautiful, with a distinctly Californian feel. I was blown away by the mid-century modern buildings, palm trees, and – yes – outdoor swimming pool! Students can be found outside nearly year-round, taking advantage of the many outdoor spaces to hang out with friends or study in the sunny SoCal weather. In addition to the beautiful campus, Oxy’s location in LA is a huge part of the student experience. Eagle Rock is a creative and lively neighborhood filled with restaurants, vintage stores, and coffee shops, all just a short walk from campus. (I ate the best tacos I’ve ever had at Villa’s!) Students are able to enjoy a local, neighborhood feel while still having access to the broader cultural and professional opportunities that come with living in LA.
Academically, Oxy emphasizes the liberal arts but has especially strong offerings in the social sciences, public policy, and globally focused programs. Students who are passionate about activism, community organizing, or international issues will find many ways to get involved. The college offers two signature programs in those fields. The first, the unique Campaign Semester. This program allows students to spend a full semester working on a political campaign anywhere in the U.S., gaining hands-on experience in the field. The second is the Kahane United Nations Program, which gives students the chance to live in New York City for a semester and intern with UN-related organizations while continuing their coursework through Oxy.
If those domestic options aren’t quite right for you, you can take advantage of Oxy’s many study abroad programs. More than 70% of students study abroad, and the college takes pride in offering personalized, academically integrated programs. These experiences are closely connected to students’ majors and academic goals, with programs focused on issues like public health in Cape Town, human rights in Argentina, and politics in Jordan. The goal is not just to travel, but to engage deeply with global topics through hands-on learning.
Overall, students at Occidental tend to be curious, open-minded, and motivated to create change. The small class sizes and strong faculty relationships support that kind of personal and academic growth. At the same time, the location and experiential learning opportunities give students access to real-world experiences in a vibrant city from day one. If you’re looking for a college that combines a small, supportive community with deep engagement in global and social issues, all in the heart of LA, Occidental College is worth a close look!
