English Language Programs in Oregon

Portland     Ashland

Portland

One of the most prestigious private institutions in the Pacific Northwest, the University of Portland is located on a 90-acre, park-like campus, in a quiet residential neighborhood, overlooking the Willamette River and downtown Portland. The University enrolls approximately 2,500 undergraduate and graduate students, including about 190 full-time international students.

The University offers a full range of undergraduate degrees through its schools of Arts and Sciences, Business, Education, Engineering, and Nursing.

The University's graduate schools offer advanced degrees in Engineering, Business, Education, Communication, Nursing, Music, History, and Drama.

Students enrolled in the English Program may apply for full-time undergraduate enrollment at the University of Portland upon completion of Level 6 and with a TOEFL score of 525. A TOEFL score of 550-570 is required for graduate studies.
Successful completion of Level 6 may be accepted in lieu of the TOEFL when applying to the University of Portland School of Business.

THE LOCAL AREA

Portland, Oregon is located 95 kilometers from the rugged Oregon coast, along the Columbia and Willamette rivers. 80 kilometers to the west of the city rises Mount Hood, which has year-round snow skiing. Cultural events include theater, ballet, concerts, symphonies, sports events, and the noted Rose Festival, held in
the month of June.

Students should arrive at Portland International Airport.

Population - 450,000 (1.7 million in the metropolitan area)

HOUSING

Dormitory space (double occupancy) is available on a limited basis. Reservations must be made in advance with a $300 deposit to place students' names on the list for housing in the dormitory. The University provides linens, towels and pillows.

The majority of students live in homestays. The average travel time to ALA from host
families is 40 minutes by bus. Students living in a homestay are provided with a private bedroom, which includes a bed, plus sheets, blankets, and a pillow, a desk, and a lamp for studying. The family will provide two meals per day on weekdays, and three meals per day on weekends. Normally, students either take packed lunches to school or purchase lunch on campus. The cost of living with a family is approximately $150 per week, which is paid directly to the family.

Married students and students who do not wish to live in a University dormitory or with a host family must make arrangements to rent an apartment off campus. Rental costs for unfurnished one-bedroom apartments in the Portland area range from $500-$750 per month (unfurnished apartments come with major appliances, such as a refrigerator). Furnished apartments cost from $950-1400 per month. A refundable deposit of about $300 is required when renting an apartment.

MEALS

All students living on campus must be on the University Meal Plan. There are several meal plans available:

20 meals per week
10 meals per week with an additional $100 worth of meals to use anytime during the session.


ACTIVITIES

Among the many University clubs and associations students are encouraged to join are the Ski and Outdoor Club, the Residence Hall Association, the International Students Association, the Chinese Students Association, and the Muslim
Students Association.

There are coordinated activities for students throughout the year with excursions offered to such well-known Pacific Northwest attractions as the Oregon coast, the Columbia River Gorge, Mount St. Helens, and the Mount Hood National Forest.
On-campus activities include films, plays, concerts, billiards, video games, and intramural sports.

Recreational activities include snow and water skiing, ice skating, windsurfing, sailing, white water rafting, mountain climbing, camping, fishing, golf, and tennis.

Things to do and see - Pioneer Square, Saturday Market, Old Town, Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, art museums, Washington Park Zoo, International Rose Test Gardens, the Japanese Gardens, Mount St. Helens, the Columbia River National Scenic Area, and Multnomah Falls.

2001 DATES

To apply, please enclose the application fee and a $100 Space Reservation deposit fee in money order payable to APEX School Search USA along with the application prior to your program start date.

                    GO TO APPLICATION FORM

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Ashland

Southern Oregon University

Southern Oregon University (SOU) is a comprehensive, public institution whose mission is to provide quality education in the liberal arts and selected professional programs. SOU is situated on a 175-acre campus and enrolls 5,000 students. The student to faculty ratio is 18:1.

Southern Oregon University offers a wide variety of programs, from management to theatre arts, chemistry to international studies. Classes are small, with easy interaction between students and faculty. SOU is one of three U.S. colleges selected to participate in space research with NASA - the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. SOU offers degrees at the baccalaureate and master's level. Ninety-two percent of the 5,000 students are undergraduates, distributed across 30
programs. Eight percent are pursuing graduate work. All classrooms are accessible to handicapped students.

Full-time study at Southern Oregon University is possible for English Program students who successfully complete Level 6 and have a TOEFL score of 520 for undergraduate or 540 for graduate students.

Part-time study at SOU is possible for strong upper-level English students with the recommendation of the Director of Curriculum, and permission of the University's Foreign Student Advisor. Upper-level students may observe SOU classes, with the Director of Curriculum's permission, at no charge.


THE LOCAL AREA

Ashland, Oregon, nestled in an alpine-like setting at the base of the Siskiyou Mountains in the Rogue Valley of Oregon, is 24 kilometers north of the California border. It is surrounded by forests, mountains, lakes, and rivers. Ashland benefits from a mild, four-season climate with sunny summers. Ashland is a town for walking or bicycling, with downtown just 15 minutes' walk from campus. Students may enjoy the sports and recreation facilities on campus, or visit some of the shops, theatres, bookstores, restaurants or ice-cream parlors in town. Students will arrive at the Medford/Jackson County Airport in Medford, Oregon.

Population - 19,200

HOUSING

Dormitory housing in double rooms (single rooms are rarely available) is offered on campus. The following items are furnished: bed, desk with lamp, chair, closet, bureau, and curtains. The following items are not provided: pillow and pillowcase, blankets, towels, sheets and bedspread. These items (except bedspread) may be purchased at a nearby store. At least one dormitory isyear-round, so students do not have to move to off-campus housing at any time. They will, however, have to relocate to another dormitory during Thanksgiving (end of November), Christmas, and SOU Spring break, if they are not vacationing themselves.

Living with an American family offers many opportunities to practice English and learn about American culture and family life. Students may request homestays at the time of application.

MEALS

The University cafeteria offers three meals a day from Monday to Saturday, and brunch and dinner on Sunday. Kitchens are available in most dormitories for students who would like to prepare their own food. However, all dormitory students must purchase the cafeteria meal package when paying for a dormitory room.

ACTIVITIES

Campus clubs are many. They include the International Club, a variety of sports clubs (Ski Club, Snowboarding Club, Weightlifting Club, the Dance Collective), and profession-related clubs (Accounting Club, American Marketing Association).

Among the sports activities on campus are basketball, swimming, football, soccer, volleyball, wresting, tennis, track, weightlifting, and racquetball. Intramural programs for both men and women are also available.

Recreational activities in the area include swimming, boating, river rafting, hiking, fishing, camping, skiing, and horseback riding.

Things to do and see - Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Lithia Park, Crater Lake National Park, Emigrant Lake and water slide, Oregon Coast and redwood trees, skiing at Mount Ashland full-service resort, Lava Beds National Monument.

On-campus employment is available for international
students.

 2001 DATES

To apply, please enclose the application fee and a $100 Space Reservation deposit fee in money order payable to APEX School Search USA along with the application prior to your program start date.            

                       GO TO APPLICATION FORM