Getting Started in Los Angeles as an International Student

Transportation in Los Angeles

Shuttle Services to and from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)

SuperShuttle provides shuttle service from LAX Airport to Otis College or from Otis College to LAX. Schedule a ride online.

Public Transit in Los Angeles

The Los Angeles Metro provides public transit including buses and rail for travel throughout the Los Angeles county. Santa Monica Blue Bus and Culver City Green Bus serves the West Los Angeles area. Use the Metro Trip Planner to plan your trip, which will provide you with all available transportation options. See Metro Fares for fare and passes. Note: fare and passes are different between transit providers, please see transit provider website for complete details.

Ride Share

Uber and Lyft provides peer-to-peer ride share services within the area. Download the ride share app and schedule a pick-up. Fees vary based on destination, time of day, and type of ride share. Check the provider’s mobile app for more information.

Alternative Mobility – Electric Scouters and Bicycles

Bird, Lime, and Lyft electronic scooters and Jump and Metro electronic bicycles provide short distance travel to and around the neighborhood. Find the scooters or bikes parked right outside the Otis College campus. Download the provider’s mobile app to active the scooter or bike and start riding.

California Driver License (DL)

Driving a motor vehicle in Los Angeles requires a California Driver License. In addition, automobile insurance is required for all automobile drivers in California. To be eligible to apply for a Driver License (DL) at the Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV), you must first complete F-1 Status Verification, Address and Phone Reporting, and the One Stop must activate your SEVIS Record. Please wait until September if you are considering applying for a California Driver License and contact the One Stop for complete details and guidelines prior to going to the DMV.

Banking in Los Angeles

Chase, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo are local banks within walking distance or short ride share to and from Otis College where you can open a checking or savings account. To open a bank account at one of these locations, make sure to bring an Otis College I-20, valid passport, cash for deposit, and your local U.S. mailing address.

Local Bank Locations

Chase Bank – Westchester Playa (Walking Distance to Otis College)

310-342-0680 | M-F 9AM-6PM, S 9AM-4PM

7151 W Manchester Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90045

Bank of America – Lincoln-Manchester (Walking Distance to Otis College)

310-846-0287 | M-F 9AM-6PM, S 10AM-2PM

7215 W Manchester Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90045

Wells Fargo Bank – Westchester

310-216-5025 | M-F 9AM-6PM, S 9AM-4PM

8814 S Sepulveda Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90045

Checking Account

A checking account is a deposit account held at the bank that allows for withdrawals and deposits. Checking accounts are liquid accounts and your deposited funds can be accessed using checks, automated teller machines (ATM), or electronic debits. Most banks will require a minimum cash deposit to open an account. Banks may have College Checking Account programs, inquire about this option for any added benefits. After opening a checking account, you will be provided with a debit card, which can be used like cash to make purchases online and in-person wherever debit cards are accepted. In addition, you will be provided temporary checks when you open a checking account. Order more checks with your bank of choice if you would like to make payments using a check (i.e. pay your tuition and fees in-person using a paper check at Otis College).

Savings Account

A savings account, which earns interest on the balance, is an account to deposit large sums of money that you do not need for routine living or personal expenses. Opening a savings account would benefit if you are transferring funds from abroad and wish to store the funds in a safe place until you are ready to use the funds. Most banks will require a minimum deposit, check with your local bank of choice for complete details.

Note: Some banks may ask if you have a Social Security Number (SSN), if you do not currently have an SSN, please inform the bank that you are an F-1 International Student at Otis College and that you do not have an SSN at this time, and you should still be able to open a bank account by providing additional documentation.

Mobile Phone Information

AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon Wireless are the prominent mobile/cell phone providers in Los Angeles. These providers provide a contracted (normally 2-year contract) plan, no-contract month-to-month plan, or pre-paid plan. AT&T and T-Mobile uses GSM Sim Cards to activate a phone. If you have a current GSM enabled phone from abroad, you may be able to use your current phone by activating a sim card through AT&T or T-Mobile. If you plan to only be in Los Angeles for the academic year, consider a no-contract month-to-month plan or pre-paid plan. If you are looking to purchase a new phone, consider a contracted plan which often provides discounts for purchasing of a new phone. Sprint, Metro by T-Mobile, and Cricket Wireless are less prominent mobile/cell phone providers but are good options for no-contract month-to-month or pre-plan plans. Metro PCS and Cricket Wireless uses GSM Sim Cards to activate a phone. These providers may not have an in-person store front, purchase and activation can be done online through their website.

Groceries, Personal Care, and More

There are many grocery and retail locations within the neighborhood, below are some located conveniently to campus.

International Advising @ the One Stop

international@otis.edu | 310-665-6999

9045 Lincoln Blvd, AHM 204, Los Angeles, CA, 90045

Monday – Friday, 8:30AM – 5PM PST