PSA
Persian Student Association (PSA) at UC Merced is a nonpolitical, nonprofit, volunteer student organization for UC Merced students. By conducting social and cultural activities, PSA’s mission is to promote an understanding of the Persian culture, foster friendships among different cultural groups, and to provide a source of union and support for the Iranian community at UC Merced.
Salam!
On behalf of all the Iranian students at UC Merced, we would like to take this opportunity to welcome you to our community. We are here for you.
Please find more information below on how our community can help you with your transition.
NewComers’ Telegram Group
Link to the Telegram group for newcomers (click here). After sending the request, you will be asked to provide us with your USC email address and your access will be granted.
Transportation from the Airport
There are a few airports within 1-2 hours from Merced. San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is the most common, but there are also Fresno International Airport (FAT) and Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC). There is a small regional airport in Merced with limited flights. Please review the information provided by UC Merced’s International Students and Scholars (ISS) on either their website or their printed guidelines.
The Graduate Division arranges two airport pick-ups in the week before the start of Graduate and Research Orientation Week (GROW). These dates are not available until summer. The information will be sent to you by email. Look out for this information if you would like to arrange to be on one of these two shuttles. This service is for graduate students.
Public transportation in California is not similar to transportation in most countries. Be sure to plan appropriately before arriving in California. There is an Amtrak train that stops in Merced. There is also the Bay Area Rapid Transit System (BART), which connects from SFO to public transit such as Amtrak and the Greyhound Bus. Rideshare options, such as Uber and Lyft, can be costly so we recommend you use Amtrak or Greyhound when arriving outside of Merced.
Transportation options in UC Merced:
There is an AMTRAK train that stops in Merced. There is also the Bay Area Rapid Transit System (BART), but this train does not travel to Merced — it stops in Pleasanton/Dublin, still a lengthy drive from Merced. Taxis, Uber or Lyft will cost several hundred dollars so we recommend you make prior plans to take AMTRAK or BART to AMTRAK. There is also the Greyhound Bus.
The two local buses in Merced are The Bus and CatTracks. CatTracks is proud to be the official transit system for the University of California, Merced. With service from the main campus to the Castle extension campus, as well as to Downtown Merced and select North Merced locations. Students and Scholars can ride CatTracks for free by showing their UC Merced ID card.