Page 38 - StudyTravel Magazine July 2014 Issue

regional FoCuS WEST CoAST USA

attention to the endless days of sunshine in
southern California. “Southern California’s
Mediterranean climate and beautiful
landscape draws you outdoors all year
round for sunbathing, surfing, kayaking,
hiking, biking, boating, swimming, paddle-
boarding, golfing, tennis, dining and much
more,” she highlights.
“California has a lot of sun, fun outdoor
activities, exciting sights to see, Hollywood
attractions, and fun theme parks!” adds
Alissa Olgun, Co-Founder and CEO of
California ESL www.california-esl.com
in Los Angeles, just next door to where
the Los Angeles Clippers basketball team
practises. In fact, says Olgun, “The Clippers
and Lakers players can be seen at the coffee
shop and restaurants across the street.”
Bryant Kong from California Baptist
University (CBU) www.calbaptist.edu
says that the university is situated in the
historic district of Riverside. “Just like the
rest of southern California, it is a diverse
city with people of all ethnic cultures, great
attractions downtown and great shopping
venues,” says Kong.
Leo Marshall, Dean of Admission at
the Webb School www.webb.org agrees that Monmouth, oR – Monmouth is a few miles
the state is very culturally diverse. “Outside canyonville.net – which celebrates its 90th southwest of the capital city of Salem and is in
the heart of the state’s winemaking region. the
of Hawaii, this may be the most culturally birthday this year. “Oregon has lovely
warm climate is also good for growing all kinds
diverse state in the union,” he says, adding, farmland, luscious forests, mountains, a
of plants and flowers, including tulips.
“With one of the largest economies in coastline that boasts of majestic rocks that
the world, California is the centre of stick up out of the ocean and very pretty
our country’s Intel, Aerospace, film and lighthouses,” he elaborates. events and attend church with them – they
entertainment industries.” Canyonville is a small comfortable live as if they were American.”
Jennifer Durante from San Domenico town, easy for visitors to negotiate. “Some Students at Portland English Language
School www.sandomenico.org says that the students get involved with the local Academy www.portlandenglish.edu are
school is located in a small town in Marin elementary school where they can read invited on a number of trips throughout the
County, just 20 miles from San Francisco. to children,” says Lovato. “There is also a year. “One of the most interesting places
“One of the best ways to experience Marin retirement home community where students we go to is in October at Halloween time,”
County and the San Francisco Bay area can ‘adopt’ a grandparent to visit and says Abby Georgetta, Director of Student
overall is through food,” she says. “Known practice their English with.” Admissions at the school. “We visit Sauvie
for its culturally diverse restaurants, Roger Brown at English Language and Island Corn Maze, which is a field of tall
celebrity chefs, farmers’ markets and Culture Institute www.elci.us and American corn with a maze carved into it. The stalks
commitment to organic food, students Education and Exchange Association www. of corn are so high and make you think that
will be amazed to find so many options of aeeaweb.com in Monmouth, which is a once you are inside the maze, you are lost.
cuisine available to them.” 15-minute drive away from state capital Students have fun finding their way out.”
For an experience of lush green scenery Salem, says, “Most of our students stay with At INTO Oregon State University
and abundant natural beauty, Oregon is host families and they are integrated with (OSU) www.intohigher.com/oregonstate,
ideal, says Ed Lovato, Admissions Director them as if they were part of the family. Our international students can meet their
at Canyonville Christian Academy www. students go to their host siblings’ sporting American counterparts and practise their
English skills through their Cultural
Ambassador Conversant Programme.
Agent viewpoint
Warren Lawless, Marketing Coordinator
“California is one of the most popular destinations for thai students. those who choose to
study there like the climate, adventure, and to be closer to the thai community. there are at INTO OSU, explains, “Students are PHoto: engliSH language and Culture inStitute/aMeriCan eduCation and exCHange aSSoCiation
also many tourist attractions like disneyland, Hollywood, and San Francisco. los angeles is partnered for one term at a time to converse
the most popular destination probably as it is close to many tourist attractions. For oregon, in English, explore the city and do other
we send a number of au pair students there all year long. our students like oregon as it is safe, beauti- activities together.”
ful and very natural. For Washington state, most of our students go to Seattle. our students like its
beautiful landscape and good community. it is quite a safe area to study.” Oregon State University is located in
Kochaporn Settachaibodee, iHost Thailand, www.ihostthailand.com the small town of Corvallis. Lawless’s own
personal highlight, “as a local”, is Crater
“Most of my students are in oregon. they like the people in oregon, who are are nice, Lake. “It’s one of the deepest lakes in the
friendly and helpful. Host families provide a caring learning environment and the school pro-
vides real hands-on support for students. Salem and lebanon are the most popular cities and world and has an incredible deep blue
towns we send our students. a small town is a good environment for their english language. colour,” says Lawless. “INTO OSU takes
i lived in eugene, oregon for many years. i liked the people and environment, and it is fairly mild in students there every year and it’s great
summer and winter. it has a community built on the hearts of kind people who want to help you.”
Ping li, Mainstream (China) Company, China hearing the reaction as we weave our way up
the mountain.” gillian@hothousemedia.com
36 | Study travel Magazine | july 2014