Featured State: Washington

While Washington State is known for its lattes, software companies, airplane manufacturing and music scene, it’s home to so much more.

From the world-class vineyards perched above the Columbia River in high-desert eastern Washington to the only temperate rainforest in the lower 48 states on the Olympic Peninsula, Washington has it all.

No other state offers a richness of experience like Washington. In the morning you could be shopping for artwork while dodging flying salmon thrown by fish mongers in the Pike Place Market, then in the afternoon walking along meadows of wildflowers in aptly named Paradise in the shadows of Mt. Rainier. You can kayak near pods of orcas off the coast of the San Juan Islands one day, and sample wine on the banks of Lake Chelan the next.

Featured School: Peninsula High School
Gig Harbor, Washington

Name of the school: Peninsula High School
Location: Gig Harbor, WA
Total enrollment in all grades:

• 1,400 students 
• 8-10 international students each year

What makes Peninsula High School unique?
​Peninsula High School is a public high school on a hill overlooking the Puget Sound and Burley Lagoon in Gig Harbor, Washington.

In addition to the numerous competitive sports teams PHS offers and over 20 clubs to join, the Seahawks school spirit is what truly makes it unique. Hundreds of students support their school teams throughout the school year and fill the stands no matter the sport!

Daniel J. Gregory, Assistant Superintendent of Peninsula School District says, “Having international exchange students in our Peninsula School District schools benefits both the students visiting, the host families, and our broader school community. Not only do the exchange students have the opportunity to learn about the cultures and traditions of our schools and communities, they benefit from being active participants in the host family and the culture and traditions within the family.

Likewise, our international students share components of their culture and traditions with the host family and with students, staff, and others within the school community. The international exchange program is a, "win - win" for all involved.”

Marcos, from Spain had this to say about his time at Peninsula High School: 

“Since I am here, everything was about jumps. I jumped the first time I met my amazing host family, I jumped after noticing that my high school was the most welcoming one, I jumped into the Puget Sound to start the New Year, I jump into the water in all swimming practice and, most important, I jump every single day to improve myself as a human being. Every day, I give all that I have for not losing any second about this experience, because every moment counts and you can learn things from all of them. Washington has given me the opportunity of growing as a student, as an athlete and as a person.

​I cannot imagine my life in a better place. Its diversity, its nature, its fauna, its geography... everything is so beautiful. And although the climate is not my favorite, the rain is nothing, if you are surrounded by incredible people that make your life perfect.”