Sponsored by

The Branch for the Study of the United States, Office of Academic Exchange Programs, within the U.S. State Department.

Program Overview

Expected Outcomes

As a result of completing the academic and educational travel program, you should possess greater knowledge of American society, its foundational principles, underlying values and supporting institutions. For this to occur, the program will cover the various course topics from national and regional perspectives, so that you appreciate how contemporary America has evolved, as well as how the Pacific Northwest region has contributed to this development.

Through interacting with faculty and staff, guest speakers, community representatives, mentors and host families, you will gain an appreciation of what it means to be an American in today’s world and how the national identity has evolved in a multicultural context. Aligned with this – as one of the most fundamental program outcomes – will be a new appreciation of the importance of leadership, as well as opportunities to develop skills which will transfer to your home context and ideally have an effect in your future careers as leaders in organizations and communities.

In the schedule of visits and excursions which complement the academic program you will benefit from meeting with federal, state, county and city representatives in order for the knowledge acquired in class presentations and discussions to be grounded in current practice. Your Mentors will be students and staff of our college with the necessary cultural sensitivity and ability to assist you at all stages of the program, including during the study tour and in connecting with the local community.

There is also time for fun.  You will arrive just in time for our Independence Day Celebration on July 4th.  This is one of our grand holidays with fireworks and family fun.   On other days, we are planning to see a Seattle Mariner’s Baseball Game and visit Native American Tillicum Village with a traditional Salmon roast, carving demonstrations and a dance performance.  There are street fairs, county fairs and farmer’s markets and opportunity for barbeques and other family activities.