College Life at GRC

Fall Quarter


[IEP Level 4]

I belonged to Level 4 of the Intensive English Program (IEP) and took an academic class on geography.

In Level 4 class, we often discussed topics related to the contents we were learning in geography class. We learned all of the English skills: reading, writing, note-taking (listening), and speaking. We did a presentation and wrote an essay once every two weeks.

In IEP class, we focused mainly on learning how to write essays.
The topics of the essays were "Difference among Multiple Cultures," "Analysis of Current News," "Solution for a Problem in My Country," and so on.
I learned the essay structure and useful phrases and practiced writing essays many times, so I improved my writing skills steadily.

We also discussed what our ideal school is like and controversial problems in society. There were a lot of activities, including discussions, debates, and presentations, so it was necessary to have my own opinions and express them to others. Opinions and perspectives are surely different depending on people, so it was really interesting and fun listening to them.

My teacher gave us a lot of assignments every day, but I really improved my English skills and finally passed the class!!

Usual Situation during English Class	My Teacher in Level 4 Class

[Geography]

As for geography class, we took lessons with some academic students and other students who were in Level 4. We had several chances to have a group presentation about what we learned in the class.
We did some field work and learned the geography and history of Seattle by exploring actual places by ourselves.

Field Work around Duwamish River	Lunch at Riverside!	Duwamish's Native Costume

During the field work, the professor explained the geographical features and history of the Duwamish Tribe, the Indigenous people who lived around Seattle. We visited a folklore museum of Duwamish and got a lot of knowledge about their lives and cultures there.

The class about Forest Bathing was interesting as well. I really felt relaxed walking in a forest and breathing fresh air.

By taking photos and videos and taking notes for stories by the professor, we prepared for some assignments and presentations after the field work.


My classmates in Level 4 are all nice and cooperative, so we helped each other a lot!
We are not only good classmates but also good friends, so we often hang out together.
We visited Seattle and Bellevue to enjoy shopping and dinner!!

Shopping with my friends!!	At a Korean BBQ restaurant

WInter Quarter


[IEP Level 5]

From January to March, I studied English in Level 5 class. I could follow the class smoothly, thanks to the hard work in the fall quarter.

In Level 5 class, I learned not only English but also Critical Thinking.
Taking the step of DIE (Describe, Interpret, and Evaluate), we practiced judging things on our own basis many times in class.
It was especially interesting for me to appreciate art works, to imagine what the meaning of them is and the artists' intentions, and to discuss how we feel about the works.

I also learned how to cite references in a paper by a librarian in GRC. The lesson was really helpful and useful to find references and write them.

The Lecture on How to Cite a Reference

[Interpersonal Communication]

I took an academic class on interpersonal communication. Unlike geography class in the fall quarter, half of the classmates in the class were academic students, who were English native speakers.
Of course, the class was about communication, so we discussed and exchanged opinions in groups.

Personally, I got interested in how our interpersonal relationships grow and collapse and how sharing secrets and self-disclosure are related to the intimacy of a relationship.
We learned a lot about communication through watching movies. We actually analyzed the relationships between characters in movies and how they communicate with each other. We had a presentation and wrote essays about our analysis. They were difficult assignments, for sure, but I understood interpersonal communication properly!!

Interpersonal Communication Class

Most of the classmates in Level 5 were the same as those in Level 4, but I made a lot of new friends as well in the winter quarter!!

After the last class of Level 5, professors gave diplomas to all of us. I was really glad to finally graduate IEP Level 5 with all my friends together!!

Congrats on Our Graduation!!