Page 37 - StudyTravel Magazine July 2014 Issue

language secondary tertiary associated

regional FoCuS WEST CoAST USA

Pacific USA

Edged by the breathtaking Pacific coastline, the states of California, Oregon and Washington offer
unforgettable experiences, as Gillian Evans reports.

he USA Pacific coastal states in the distance, Seattle has, according about half an hour from downtown,” says
of California, Washington and to Maxfield, “views of mountains and Jennings. “It is pretty quiet, making it a
Oregon serve up a diverse menu water in every direction”. Enjoying a mild great place to study for transfer to top US
t of experiences for visitors. From climate, Seattle is most famous for its global universities, but close enough to Seattle to
the beaches and rugged cliffs of the Pacific industries – it is home to Microsoft, Boeing have fun during the weekends.”
coastline to the parched beauty of Death and Amazon – and coffeeshop culture, with Like Washington state, California also
Valley, to the majestic redwood trees to the first Starbucks café opening here in serves up a wide range of recreational and
the stunning Cascade Mountains, these 1971. But it also has a thriving music and educational opportunities. Chris Cullen,
states provide a whole artist’s palette of arts scene. “Celebrity musicians have called Director of California School of English in
experiences for all the senses. Seattle home, including Jimi Hendrix, Dave Temecula www.csoe.com, highlights the
Describing Washington State, Lori Matthews and Pearl Jam, while creative state’s geographical gems. “California has a
Maxfield, Director of Marketing at ACE minds like Bill Gates and Dale Chihuly great coastline and beaches, mountains with
- Associates in Cultural Exchange www. have helped place Seattle on the global snow, a beautiful and vast desert, central
cultural.org in Seattle, WA, says, “It is a scene of innovative technology and artistic valley farmland and famous wine-growing
premiere destination for overseas students glassblowing,” says Maxfield. areas,” he enthuses.
to pursue education, adventure and a diverse For those who want to live outside the Vanessa Navarro, Director of Marketing
multicultural experience. From the coast to the city, Auburn, home to Green River at English Language Center (ELC)
the mountains, from wine country to kayak Community College, is an ideal choice. www.elc.edu, which has branches in Los
explorations, overseas students are sure to “Auburn is a forested suburb of Seattle, Angeles and Santa Barbara, draws 
find a welcoming environment.”
Ross Jennings, Vice President of Agent viewpoint
International Programs and Extended “i think that in California the weather is a very important factor, which also stands for a
Learning at Green River Community certain lifestyle that people know from tv and the movies. the West Coast in general
offers a lot of interesting cities, such as San diego, los angeles, San Francisco, Portland
College www.greenriver.edu, adds,
and Seattle. My personal highlight in California is the Bay area, particularly San Francisco,
“Washington state combines superlative
with its impressive golden gate Bridge, the wild mix of people, China town and the excellent food
PHoto: SHutterStoCK like Seattle, and non-stop flights from many (i.e. clam chowder) that you can get all over town. in oregon, Portland of course sticks out with its
natural beauty, the attractions of big cities
hip Hawthorne Boulevard and the numerous micro breweries that can be found all over town. in
Washington, Seattle with its world-famous Space needle definitely sticks out. For those who want
of the largest cities in Asia.”
to get a feeling for mother nature’s power, a trip to the volcano Mount St Helen’s is a must.”
Situated on the shores of Elliott Bay and
lars Zimmermann, Academic Embassy, Germany, www.academic-embassy.de
framed by the white peak of Mount Rainier
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