Seattle-Tacoma Centre Profile

Transcription

1 Seattle-Tacoma Centre Profile Key staff and contact details Location description Travel directions Centre description Accommodation options Student services Leisure time and sample activity programmes

2 Key staff "Embassy at PLU looks forward to welcoming you to our Seattle campus. This popular location is an excellent place to study, to concentrate, to feel part of an extended family and to experience life on an American University campus. Whether you are preparing for a degree programme at PLU or hoping to improve your English for job prospects in your home country, we offer the perfect training environment." Judith Leng Lawrence Center Director Centre Director Student Services Lead Teacher Judith Leng Lawrence Kathy DeHeide Jessica Schoppe Contact details Embassy Study Centre Pacific Lutheran University East Campus Pacific Avenue Tacoma, WA T F For information and bookings: T F E Please use the form on Back to index Seattle-Tacoma Centre Profile Page 2 of 11

3 Location description Washington leads the Pacific Northwest region in business vitality. The centre is located in the beautiful metropolitan city of Tacoma, only 30 miles south of Seattle. With a population of 700,000, Tacoma is known as the City of Destiny and was recently voted America s #1 Wired City. Seattle is home to the Space Needle, world famous outdoor markets, and the birthplace of Starbucks coffee! Famous for its diversity in outdoor activities, including hiking, bicycling, kayaking, and skiing. Only 182 km from Canadian border. Local facilities and attractions Located on the leafy green campus of PLU. Within close walking distance to unique restaurants and cafes. Indoor and outdoor sports facilities available on campus. One block from a bus transit centre, with convenient travel to downtown Tacoma and Seattle. Waterfront, beaches, and many recreational parks. Hiking in nearby mountains. Back to index Seattle-Tacoma Centre Profile Page 3 of 11

4 Travel directions Taxi A private driver will meet individual students arriving on their own if a transfer has been booked. If a transfer has not been booked, a local taxi may be used. We recommend using our private transfer service. Average journey time and cost to Embassy host families from the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is 35 minutes. Getting Around Seattle Seattle-Tacoma (SEATAC) is located in a central location to many activities and sights. There's easy access to all regions via, buses, taxis and limos and it s a short distance to both Tacoma and Seattle. Alternatively, you may want to look into airport shuttles, which offer a nice balance between cost and convenience. The public transportation system offers a reliable and inexpensive way to get to and from the airports and around the city. The bus system in Tacoma is expansive and convenient and makes transportation to downtown Seattle very easy. A commuter train runs north and south carrying passengers to Seattle and Tacoma daily. Bus ticket costs vary, but average about 1.50 per ticket. Monthly passes can also be purchased. Downtown Tacoma has a convenient light rail system that swiftly carries passengers within the city, and Seattle s underground bus system provides free transportation inside the downtown area. Monthly bus passes can be purchased at PLU in the University Center. Seattle-Tacoma Centre Profile Page 4 of 11

5 Directions to Embassy at PLU From: Tukwila (SEATAC Airport) and N. King County (Seattle) Head SOUTH on I-5 freeway. Take the Hwy 7 exit at the city center. Follow the road under the freeway and continue up the hill. Merge right at the 38 th Street West exit. Turn left onto Pacific Highway. Continue on Pacific Highway, cross over the freeway, and turn right onto Garfield Street. PLU will be at the end of Garfield Street. Parking lots are located throughout the campus, but the lot at the corner of Park and Garfield is recommended. The centre is located in the heart of the campus in the Eastvold Building, which is #25 on the map below. Please go to for a key of the campus buildings. Back to index Seattle-Tacoma Centre Profile Page 5 of 11

6 Centre description Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma is the site of our Seattle centre. The centre is located in Eastvold Building, which is PLU s landmark building. Situated in a quaint university community, students are only minutes from downtown Tacoma. Tacoma is famous for its waterfront entertainment, unique restaurants and nightclubs and shopping venues. It is home to Point Defiance Park, the 2 nd largest city park in the United States, and over 360 fresh water lakes. Tacoma and Seattle are co-located in the beautiful Pacific Northwest, which draws visitors to the majestic Mt. Rainier, Puget Sound waterways, and Olympic and Cascade mountain ranges. Because of the close proximity of the two major cities, commuting to and from Tacoma and Seattle is very convenient. Throughout the year students have the option to participate in PLU organized extracurricular programmes, as well as planned Embassy activities. Foundation Year: 2004 Affiliations: ACCET, TESOL, WAESOL, AAIEP School Environment: Suburban Programmes Levels: All Minimum age: 16 Average class size: 10 Courses available Diploma of English Program* Certificate of English Program (summer only) Examination preparation (TOEFL summer only) PLU Transition Programme Pre-Master s Program Travel & Culture Programme (summer only) Summer Vacation Programme *Offered standard or intensive Optional extras University placement Internship One-to-one lessons Facilities Fully equipped classrooms Various multi-media centres with free internet/ access; one lab exclusive to Embassy students; four Smartboards 24-hour security Indoor/outdoor sports facilities on campus Multiple dining/coffee venues Social life and integration with multi-cultural student population Full library access Frequent theatre and music Internet and A multi-media centre exclusive to Embassy students is located just down the hallway from the centre s main offices. PLU also has computer labs in the University Centre, Science building and library which are open at various hours to assist students who need internet access. Embassy students will be given PLU accounts and ID cards for convenient access. Wireless is also available on campus and on Embassy private wireless network. Seattle-Tacoma Centre Profile Page 6 of 11

7 Access to nearest cities Tacoma 15 minutes by bus; 8 minutes by car Seattle hour by bus/commuter train; 45 minutes by car Climate (reported in average degrees F) March May: lows 40s, highs 60s June September: lows 60s highs 80s October Feb: lows 30s, highs 50s Educations and qualification of teachers Bachelor Degree in ESL or related field and 3 years of experience. Most of the teachers at Embassy PLU have advanced degrees. Transition Program This ESL Transition Program, designed specifically for Study in America students, will be jointly administered by Embassy (E) and the partner college or university. The program is designed for students who have a minimum TOEFL level of 400 and who qualify academically for admission to that particular college or university. Details of the Transition Program The Transition Program has two phases. In Phase I (TOEFL ) students will study only intensive English. Students with a TOEFL level of will enter Phase II, which consists of 1-3 courses from the PLU regular curriculum along with ESL classes. The number of regular courses permitted will be based upon proficiency level and the assessment of the E Director of Studies. University credit will be granted for regular courses successfully completed while in the Transition Program. Transition students may take up to 9 total credits of PLU classes. Upon achievement of the required TOEFL score, ESL students will matriculate into the partner college or university. Please contact the Study in America counselors in our International Admissions Center for specific courses available for study at the partner university or college Please note: It is expected that students will progress through the Transition Program in two semesters. Students may not take more than 9 credits as a transition student. Admission procedures: The Transition Program will have three enrollment periods; early September, early February and early July. (N.B. Only Phase 1 of the Program will be available to students who enter in July at TOEFL level of 450. However, it is anticipated that these students will achieve TOEFL level 500 by September and, therefore, matriculate into the regular program. If they do not achieve a TOEFL 500 level, they may enter Phase 2 of the Transition Program at this time) The Study in America application form should be completed and forwarded to Study Group USA, accompanied by the standard $500 deposit An institutionalized TOEFL test will be used to assess the student s English proficiency and subsequent placement upon arrival to the center If otherwise academically qualified for admission, the student will be accepted into the Transition Program and receive a university issued I-20 The remainder of the admission process will be according to standard Study in America procedures Application procedure: Submit academic portion of the Study in America application plus signature pages, academic transcripts (certified copies, in English), financial statement, writing sample, English test results (TOEFL, IELTS, ITP, Study Group Pre-Entry test) and EITHER Language Seattle-Tacoma Centre Profile Page 7 of 11

8 Teacher Recommendation OR Confidential Interview Report. $500 Deposit Price Please contact the Study in America counselors in our International Admissions Centre Price includes tuition, shared accommodation, meals, insurance, transfer, Study in America counseling and 24 hour emergency service Accommodation options Homestay All Embassy homestays are required to meet the criteria laid out in our published Homestay Guidelines and are inspected by our accommodation staff. The most important thing for students and parents to know is that by choosing homestay, a student will be sharing someone s home and the hospitality of the host. As modern life has developed over the last decade, homestay may be different from the traditional family structure to which some students may be accustomed in their own countries. The key point is that whether the homestay is composed of a single person or a traditional family, all have a proven track record of receiving, caring for and enjoying hosting visiting students. General information Bedroom Standard sized bed with bedside table lamp. Sheet and pillowcases are provided and changed each week. Towels are also provided. Adequately sized wardrobe and drawer space for each student s clothing and possessions. Table or desk and chair for private study (or access to a study area). Laundry A reasonable amount of laundry included in the household wash. Telephone Students are required to use prepaid phone cards when using host family telephones. These are available at the school from the student services staff. Keys Students are normally provided with a door key. If not, alternative arrangements for access are made with the student. Meals Half board (14 meals) Evening meal normally served at approximately Number of students sharing Embassy Seattle attempts to place students together from different language backgrounds, unless otherwise requested. Student can book in single or shared homestays, but no more than 4 students share one Seattle-Tacoma Centre Profile Page 8 of 11

9 household. Distance from school Most host families will be located within 5 miles of the university, but students commuting to school should expect to allow at least 30 minutes of travel by bus during peak traffic times. Type of house The residential areas around Embassy Seattle are full of modern style houses. Many have gardens and trees. Although Embassy Seattle is in a large city, the PLU area has a real suburban feel to it, allowing students easy access to the city while being in very quiet surroundings. Student residence Students may have the option of staying in PLU student residence, which is ideal for students wishing to live in close proximity to other university students. General characteristics and facilities Shared rooms with twin beds Wardrobes and drawers for clothes storage Safe locking facilities and 24 hour PLU security Laundry facilities Cable and internet access Bathrooms/showers located on each floor Large comfortable lounge areas for studying and watching TV Opportunity to live with an American roommate* *Transition students only; based on availability The Seattle Centre offers dormitory and apartment-style student residences. Meals Meal plan purchase is required for all students living in PLU student housing. Meal plan is half-board (10 meals per week). Cleaning and laundry Students are expected to clean their own rooms. Laundry facilities available. Student services All centres have dedicated student support staff, who can provide assistance with the following: Travel details around the US or on departure Opening a bank account in the US Local services and leisure activities Medical and related services Seattle-Tacoma Centre Profile Page 9 of 11

10 Visas and immigration regulations Accommodation matters Transferring money Opportunities for internship experience (if eligible) Referrals for counselling and help for individual and personal problems Academic counselling and placement Entering for an international examination Postal, fax and facilities Emergency contact Emergency Contact Information (US only) (outside US) Internet & Available in the Embassy multi-media centre Available in the library and PLU multi-media centres located throughout the campus Faxes $2.00 per page within the US, $5.00 per page for countries outside the US Phone cards $20.00 Student ID Cards Free Leisure Activities Monday Tuesday Sample Activities Programme Day Cost Evening Cost Tacoma Museum of Glass Shopping at Auburn Supermall $8 Harbour Cruise $12-$50 FREE Bowling $7 Wednesday Pike Place Market FREE Pizza and a movie $15 Thursday Soccer Game FREE Seattle Supersonics! $30 + Friday Space Needle Tour $20 Live music at the pub $5 + Saturday Ski weekend at Whistler, BC Prices vary Nightlife Sunday More skiing Nightlife ldldl Please note this is just a sample of the activities and excursions and the prices are approximations. All activities and excursions available are displayed on the school Seattle-Tacoma Centre Profile Page 10 of 11

11 notice board on a weekly basis. Our dedicated staff keeps students updated on the activities weekly. Tourist information Further information can be found on the following website: Back to index Seattle-Tacoma Centre Profile Page 11 of 11