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Washington
State - The Best of the West
The
rich green forests of the Cascade Mountains provide hiking, skiing
and miles of natural beauty; Seattle, one of the most progressive
and beautiful cities in the US, lies along the Pacific waters of
Puget Sound; the historic Columbia River curves across the southern
border and northward; on a clear day, majestic Mt. Rainier is visible
from both sea and plains; the Olympia Peninsula is a paradise of
unspoiled rainforests and beaches; the icons of the state are computer
technology, cowboys, salmon and espresso coffee.
 This
is just a glimpse of the incredible environment ofWashington State-
not the US capital, that’s Washington, D.C. in the East - but
the state that is the gateway to the Pacific Rim. A state not only
rich in natural wonders but in educational and business opportunities
as well. With six 4-year state universities offering both graduate
and undergraduate programs, 37 two-year public community and technical
colleges, and 21 private institutions, Washington provides international
students from around the world with a variety of excellent choices.
For students who want to concentrate on learning English either
to prepare for university/college work in the US or to develop skills
for success in business or education at home, Washington has outstanding
ESL (English as a second language) programs at nearly every educational
institution. Undergraduate and graduate students can choose from
a range of programs and learning environments: from science and
technology at the University of Washington or Washington State University,
for example, to education, music and psychology programs at Central
Washington University. There are 2-year, 4-year and graduate programs
to meet the needs of all international students.
 Students
can also find the kind of living and studying atmosphere that is
most comfortable for them. There are the exciting urban environments
of Seattle, Tacoma, Olympia (the capital) or Spokane. However, the
valleys of Eastern Washington and the towns of Ellensburg, Pullman
and Cheney are more suitable for students who want to experience
the friendliness and security of traditional small town life.
Over the past ten years as Director of the UESL Program at Central
Washington University (CWU), it has become clear to me why international
students are attracted to the state and particularly to our location
in the center of the state. Famous for its yearly rodeo, tree-lined
Ellensburg is safe and easy to get around in, and the hills and
rivers offer a range of outdoor recreational activities. We are
in a peaceful ranching valley yet only a bus ride away from and
a major city and a ski area.
 Equally
important, Central Washington University provides small classes,
a high level of contact with professors, a beautiful campus, and
popular programs in education, business, music, and psychology.
Its Chimpanzee and Human Communication Institute draws visitors
from all over the world. And the newest additions to the campus
- the recently completed state-of-the-art science and education
centers - are attracting a great deal of interest.
As far as ESL
programs go, Washington State has some of the best in the U.S. The
UESL Program at CWU, for example, emphasizes personal attention
to each student’s academic and non-academic needs; we are small
enough to do that. Our teachers all have Master’s degrees in
TESL and years of experience in and out of the US. ESL programs
in Washington State are now offering more computer classes than
ever before as well as creative elective options to meet the changing
educational and professional preparation needs of international
students.
Few
states in the US can boast of such an amazing combination of natural
beauty, high quality educational programs at every level, and wonderful
living environments. Take a look at this Washington
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Author:
Steve Horowitz, Director, UESL Program, Central Washington University
E-mail:
horowitz@cwu.edu
Please
visit: http://www.cwu.edu/~intlprog/uesl.html
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