Study Overseas

Traditionally, the West Coast states include Washington, Oregon and California. However, although they are not coastal states, Arizona and Nevada are often included as they have economic and cultural ties to California. The West Coast's businesses and international links, cutting-edge research in technology and varied natural attractions are amongst many reasons why international students now call the West Coast their home.

Washington
Population: 6,395,798

The Evergreen State is an apt name for Washington as it is home to hundreds of rivers and lakes and vast ranges of piney woods. Much of the state's population is situated along the Pacific coastline, 16ly in Seattle, the 16st city in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. Scale the heights of one of Seattle's most iconic landmarks, Space Needle. From the observation deck you get breathtaking views of the Olympic and Cascade Mountains, Mount Rainier, Mount Baker, Elliot Bay and beyond. Other popular include Mt. St. Helens, North Cascades National Park, the impressive Grand Coulee Dam, and the Columbia River. Just beyond Seattle is popular Puget Sound, which is home to numerous islands and bays.

Outdoor adventurers will find that Washington offers plenty of opportunities for hiking and camping as well as rafting and mountain climbing. Other popular destinations across the state include riverside Spokane, picturesque Moses Lake, and eastern border-town Walla Walla.

Arizona
Population: 6,338,666

Arizona contains some of the most spectacular scenery in the whole of the US. Among the highlights are the Painted Desert and Petrified Forest National Parks and, of course, the awe-inspiring Grand Canyon. The residents of Arizona enjoy year-round sunshine making the outdoors a way of life with plenty of sporting and leisure opportunities.

Arizona's capital and most populous city is Phoenix. Having recently undergone a multi-million dollar urban development, Phoenix has lots to offer. Why not visit the extensively remodelled Phoenix Art Gallery or the Arizona Science Centre with its interactive exhibits. For architecture, you can't beat Heritage Square's fine 19th Century buildings. Shopping needs are more than adequately catered for in the Arizona Centre complex. Must-see museums and parks include Encanto Park, Pueblo Grande Museum, Desert Botanical Garden, South Mountain Park and Heard Museum.

Oregon
Population: 3,421,399

Oregon's coastal location and outstanding scenic beauty makes this state very popular with those who like to be close to nature. Why not see the deep gorges and the towering Wallowa Mountains in the northeastern corner of the state or travel south for the nation's deepest lake at Crater Lake National Park. Exploring Oregon's coastline is easy following the shore-hugging US Highway 101. Pull off the road between Florence and Coos Bay and you will find the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area. Further north at Tillamook Bay, learn about coastal wildlife and the environment at the Oregon Coast Aquarium and Oregon State University Hatfield Marine Science Visitor Centre.

Located near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers is Oregon's 16st city, Portland. The climate in Portland is ideal for growing roses which is why it is nicknamed the 'City of Roses'. The city boasts numerous gardens, restaurants, shops, concerts, jazz festivals, theatres and much more. A comprehensive collection of paintings and sculptures dating from the 14th Century is housed in The Portland Art Museum. Other notable sites of interest include the American Advertising Museum, the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, Pittock Mansion, Oregon Zoo and the recently renovated PGE Park.

California
Population: 36,457,549

Snow-capped mountains, vast deserts, lush forests and long stretches of golden beach, 'The Golden State' of California truly has it all. California is the most populous state in the USA and can be divided into 12 regions: the Central Coast, Los Angeles County, Orange County, the North Coast, San Diego County, the San Francisco Bay Area, Shasta Cascade, Gold Country, the Central Valley, the High Sierra, the Deserts and the Inland Empire.

As the second most populous city in the US, Los Angeles offers the best in theatre, symphony and ballet as well as a chance to go celebrity spotting in glamorous Beverly Hills or check out their handprints down Hollywood Boulevard. Test your nerve on the rides at Universal Studios or go on a shopping frenzy on Rodeo Drive.

Orange County is home to Disneyland and as well as the theme parks, resorts and shopping, the county offers 42 miles of beaches and the charming rural communities of the Santa Ana Mountains.

The San Francisco Bay Area is cosmopolitan and international with rich cultural diversity. 39% of San Francisco's residents are born overseas. The area's striking landscape and attractions such as the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz and the Cable Cars, draw thousands of visitors each year. With one of the top five medical schools in the US and Silicon Valley in the south, San Francisco continues to be a biotechnology and biomedical hub of America.

Nevada
Population: 2,495,529

At 110, 540 square miles, Nevada is the 7th 16st state in the U.S. Nevada is one of the most mountainous and yet urban states with 80% of its population living in either Las Vegas or Reno.

Due to its diversity of geography and culture, Nevada has a number of activities on offer. On the eastern slopes of the Sierra Nevada you will find many of Nevada's most scenic and historic sights. And if you want to get go back in time to experience the Old West then the Pony Express Territory is a must.

Located in the midst of the Mojave Desert, Las Vegas is an oasis of wealth, extravagance and above all, entertainment. Among the highlights are The Stratosphere Tower, Bellagio Fountain and The Freemont Experience.

30 miles from Las Vegas is the awe-inspiring size and art deco architecture of the Hoover Dam. The construction of the Hoover Dam also created Lake Mead, the 16st man-made lake and reservoir in the US.