We had an orientation for a week at the main campus in September.

1st day

confirmation of adress and insurance

2nd day

placement tests and introduction of our advisers

3rd day

placement tests and CORE

4th day

coming back from CORE

5th day

announcement of our class level

6th day

Seattle trip

We went to an overnight camp called CORE. We had a chance to enjoy many activities such as horseback riding, archery, and zip-line. We had a campfire at night, and we enjoyed singing and dancing. Many students go to CORE, so it is a good chance to make a lot of friends.

We went sightseeing in Seattle. We went to Pike Place Market, and I bought tumblers for my mother at the first Starbucks store.

Also, we went to a grocery store and then we saw the Puget Sound. I talked a lot with my friends, so I was happy. I was excited with the Seattle trip.

GRC has the IESL course. Students who don’t speak English as the first language study English intensively in the IESL course. It has classes from level 1 to 5, and we can take a level that suits to our own English skills. The students who are in level 1 to 3 study at the Kent campus, and those who are in level 4 to 5 study at the main campus in Auburn. I studied in level 3 and 4. There are many students from different countries, so we can make a lot of friends.

We had the Grammar class, the Reading and Writing class, and the Listening and Speaking class. My classmates were from China, Vietnam, Korea, Russia, Taiwan, Thailand, Jordan, and Japan.

Ann taught us grammar, reading, and writing. She was such a fun teacher, and she always made us laugh. Her classes were easy to understand, and she taught us patiently. We liked her so much.

Zoi taught us listening and speaking. She was from Greece, and her English was different from Americans, so it was hard for me to listen to her when I first started taking her class. She appreciated our efforts just right, so I was happy when she praised my presentation.

Grammar

We learned basic grammar. We especially learned the perfect tense clearly.

Reading/Writing

We read a novel titled Search for Safety. Also, we learned how to write a paragraph, and we finally wrote an essay by ourselves.

Listening/Speaking

We took some lectures on videos, and we learned how to take good notes. Also, we made some speeches and presentations about the lectures.

Ann's Class

Zoi's Class

The classes in Level 4 were more difficult than those in Level 3, so it was hard to keep up. We learned about American cultural values. It was hard to understand, but we got more understanding of America in the end. My classmates were from China, Vietnam, Hong-Kong, Kazakhstan, Nepal, Korea, and Japan.

Fidaa was my instructor in Level 4. She was serious and strict, but she always gave us useful assginment and good advice.

Grammar/Writing

We learned a little difficult grammar. We especially focused on relative clauses and the passive voice clearly. Also, we wrote many kinds of essays.

Reading

We read a book titled American Ways. There were many topics about American cultural values in the book. It was a difficult book, but it helped us understand America better.

Listening/Speaking

We listened to lectures, took notes, and discussed them. We made presentations too. The themes of presentations were more difficult than those in Level 3, so it was hard to prepare them.

With Fidaa

Main Campus

Party at Tim's House

With Receptionist at the Kent Campus

In the first quarter, students had an FFS class. We made small groups and learned about the school life. Mentors, who were academic students, helped new students. When we had something we didn’t know, the mentors gave us some advice. It was an important class to enjoy our school life.

Jean and Clara, who were advisers to IESL students, made this team. The students who hoped to join the team gathered together, and organized a pizza party, or chose presents for local children in need. At the pizza party, many IESL students joined it, and we enjoyed eating pizza and playing games. Also, Hijiri and I had a presentation about Japanese culture. Listeners were interested in our presentation, so I was very happy.

Moreover, we received a leadership training. We played some games, and learned our characters. We learned how we should act as a leader too. Jean and Clara were so kind and friendly that they always helped us.

With Clara, Jean & Hijiri

Leadership Training