Green River College

Online now, campus later

International students can still pursue their American education even through the coronavirus pandemic. Students can enroll with Green River College and start their classes online at home.

Through the 2+2 transfer program, students can:

1. Study Green River courses at home.

2. Go to Green River College when in-person classes restart.

3. After completing a bachelor's degree, transfer to a top university in the U.S. or Canada.

4. Complete studies at a prestigious American university and gain a full bachelor's degree.

Intensive English Online

The Intensive English Online (IEO) program helps students improve their English while studying from home. Students will study in small groups and receive personal attention from highly qualified teachers. Students can choose how long they want to study and when they want to begin. There are 10 different start dates per quarter. Green River College offers one day free observation before student enrolment.

What to expect:

• 20 hours of study per week (Monday to Friday) at convenient times

• Small class sizes to maximize individual attention

• All materials online with regular online and virtual teacher contact

• Additional online resources for self-students who want to progress faster

• Self-contained modules covering all skills – reading, writing, listening, speaking and grammar

• Academic and culturally significant topics

• Testing for next quarter placement at the end of the quarter

Leading for university transfers

Green River College ranks number nine for international students enrolling to two-year colleges in the U.S. (IIE 2018/19). Over recent years, the college has received many awards such as the Paul Simon Award for Internationalization.

Classes and professors

Classes are taught by professors and not teaching assistants. The average class size is 25. As a result, the low student to teacher ratio means that students get the personal attention and help they need. Every international student is assigned their very own academic advisor and together, they will create a personalized study plan so students can take the right classes that will transfer to universities. Tutoring, advising, breadth and depth of tutoring centre is available for free.

Students often remark that instructors at Green River are very helpful, friendly and passionate about what they teach. Class sizes are small and there are numerous resources to support learning. Additionally, advisors are supportive, approachable and informative.

Student Speak

Ivania Livia Hartanto who transferred to Cornell University commented, ''Studying at Green River has been a great experience. Green River not only offered a great education, but also offered a warm and welcoming community where I could grow and feel a sense of family. Green River really pushed me to be the very best that I can be.''

Study options for international students include:

University Transfer

The 2+2 transfer program allows students to study the first two years of a bachelor's degree at Green River College. This is equivalent to the first two years of a university degree. Students can then transfer to prestigious American universities to complete their final two years of study.

The University Transfer Pathway (UTP) gives students conditional admission to 40 partner universities.

Green River College offers more than 100 majors including business, computer science, engineering, aviation, economics, psychology, communication, biological sciences, art, hospitality, IT and international relations.

High School Completion Plus

Those who wish to complete their high school studies can gain college credits at the same time. This is a fast-track option to a university degree, and a good choice for High School Exchange students.

Intensive English

International students can develop their language skills and prepare for academic study in the U.S.

Other course options include gap years, foundation programs, transition programs and leadership initiatives.

Students will need to satisfy a number of criteria to gain admissions at Green River College. This includes being age 16 or older, and submitting the following:

• Completed application
• Financial or bank statement proving sufficient funds
• Copy of passport and medical release form

English language requirements

International students who are not native English speakers will have to prove proficiency of the language. This could be through a language test. They will need:

• IELTS 5.5 with no band lower than 5.0
• TOEFL 61/173/500 or above on the international TOEFL
• Green River institutional TOEFL or iBT Special Home Edition when testing centers are closed due to Covid-19
• An accepted equivalent
• Those who cannot meet the language requirements can take the Intensive English program first

On-campus amenities include an extensive library, recreation spaces and an athletic center. Students can utilize the bookstore, food services and a pantry that stocks essentials and food supplies.

Student Union

The college has a modern Student Union building with bookstore and cafeteria services, sports and gym facilities.

Comp Lab

Green River College has more than 500 computers available for students and provide
access to various online research databases, course-related specialized software, Microsoft Office and full Internet access.

Tutoring Centre

Green River offers free tutoring services and resources to help students to be successful.

Library

Holman Library serves the students, faculty, and staff of Green River College by providing the resources and services necessary to ensure access to information and development of information literacy skills.

Recreation & Fitness

The Recreation and Athletic Center (RAC) is an on-campus fitness facility open 6 days a week and free for students to use. The RAC has a gymnasium where students can play basketball, volleyball, indoor soccer and badminton a workout area with treadmills, ellipticals, strength machines, free weights, squat racks, and stationary cycles and classes such as yoga, dance or pilates.

Accommodation

There are different housing options available for international students. This includes on-campus apartments, which offer a traditional college experience. Apartments feature modern facilities and study environments. They are close to campus buildings and have a social atmosphere.

Alternatively, students can opt for a homestay. This provides the opportunity to experience American culture first-hand. Homestay locations are usually close to campus and students often travel to the college via the easy bus route. At homestays, students practice their English speaking skills, enjoy American meals and live in safe, comfortable accommodation.

A number of scholarships are available for new and current international students at Green River College. These are awarded in the form of tuition fee waivers or work grants.

For new students, available awards include:

• Achievement, merit and leadership scholarships – up to USD 500
• Leadership Work Grant: International Student Ambassador (ISA) Apprentice – up to USD 1,000.

For current students, available awards include:

• Achievement scholarships – USD 500
• Leadership Work Grant: International Student Ambassadors (ISA) – students can earn around USD 5,500
• Campus Community Service: Peer Volunteers
• Community Service: Volunteer Positions

To be eligible for an award, students will need to meet certain criteria. This could be, for example, a written application or registering with the Office of Campus Life. Criteria is specific to the scholarship on offer.