DURBAN, South Africa ­””mdash; When I told people I was studying abroad in South Africa, many of them reacted to the effect of, “Isn’t that dangerous?” or “You know people in South Africa have AIDS, right?” After I arrived and decided to go into downtown Durban to buy groceries, many South Africans, especially white South Africans, responded similarly ““ “Don’t go, it’s dodgy” ““ and then proceeded to relate multiple stories of people getting mugged or killed. Read more...

Many freshmen entering UCLA want to graduate in four years. I was one of them. However, you may miss out on some incredible opportunities if sticking around Los Angeles most summers is the plan. Read more...

I’m so tired of hearing about “9/11.” The media and politicians have used that term in so many different, inappropriate ways that I just can’t bear to hear, watch or read about it anymore. Read more...

Gubernatorial candidate Phil Angelides has made many promises. According to his Web site, he plans to spend more money on education and health care and place restrictions on big business while cutting taxes. Read more...

The horns are out and blaring to announce the upcoming elections, and the ever-conscious political pundits and bloggers are catching on to whispers of the GOP possibly losing the House to the Democrats, raising the price tag on many congressional races. Read more...

With the Great Depression over, the United States ““ specifically Los Angeles ““ was looking forward to a bright new era. Hollywood was the center of attention for its movie stars and media blitz. Read more...

I appreciated Katie Strickland’s column (“Religious right uses morality only when convenient,” Aug. 28) and her ability to articulate her views. As an alumnus, I often read the Daily Bruin and enjoy the Viewpoint articles. Read more...