Oregon

Quality of education. Quality of life. Quality of environment. The State of Oregon nestled in between Washington and California on the west coast of the United States holds these qualities dear. With a total population of just over three and a half million in a land space the size of 96,000 square miles, Oregon is unique in many ways. Its long-standing commitment to education, to its citizens and to its way of life makes Oregon a perfect destination for international students wishing to pursue graduate studies. With three major research universities in a system of seven public universities, opportunities abound in a wide range of academic disciplines. The Oregon University System is comprised of seven distinguished institutions that welcome international students from many countries and which have a long history of working with students and faculty from around the world.

Brief History of Oregon

Oregon's human prehistory date back at least 10,000 years and is marked by the discovery of sagebrush sandals by Dr. Luther Cressman in what is currently known as Fort Rock in the eastern part of Oregon. Native peoples lived undisturbed in this area until the 16th century when the first of the Spanish explorers began arriving on the Oregon coastline. Intermittent visitations did not result in permanent settlements for many years until the arrival of the Lewis and Clark Expedition in 1805 at the mouth of the Columbia River. Trade outposts developed in the decades following Lewis and Clark, and eventually Oregon became a state in 1859. Growth of the State continued and Oregon’s first universities began developing in the middle of the 19th century.

Graduate Studies in Oregon

Oregon's three major public research universities are Oregon State University, Portland State University, and the University of Oregon. Each specializes in different areas of graduate education. Oregon's regional universities, Eastern Oregon University, the Oregon Institute of Technology, Southern Oregon University and Western Oregon University offer Master's degrees in specific areas related to their institutional profile. Affiliated with the Oregon University System is the Oregon Health & Science University. OHSU offers graduate and professional degrees in a wide range health science fields and operates a teaching hospital and many research facilities.

Natural Environment

Oregonians are fiercely proud of their State's natural environment. Oregon was a pioneer in protecting the environment by introducing the nation's first "bottle bill" enacted in 1971 to initiate mandatory deposits on bottles to reduce littering and increase recycling.

When you're not studying, you can hike, bicycle, ski, swim, boat, or fish in undisturbed settings.

Oregon also enacted legislation that gave the state government the authority to zone the state's beaches which protected them private development. The beauty of Oregon's 296 miles of coastline is maintained for the enjoyment of citizens and visitors. The Cascade Mountains with peaks of 11,000 feet lay 100-150 miles inland from the Pacific Ocean and ensure months of skiing and other outdoor recreation.

Arts and Culture in Oregon

Culture and the arts round out the quality of life in Oregon. Portland, Eugene , Corvallis and Ashland are home to numerous galleries, museums and theaters that provide entertainment and educational opportunities to all who wish to partake. With Ashland's world-renowned Shakespearean Festival, Eugene's Oregon Bach Festival, and Portland's numerous cultural opportunities, one never need be deprived of the arts in Oregon.

Don't miss an opportunity to live and study in Oregon!