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Five fun things to do near the school

  • Head to downtown Tacoma and the waterfront to enjoy the shops, clubs and restaurants, and views over the Puget Sound waters
  • Go hiking, kayaking, walking, or visit the zoo and aquarium at Point Defiance Park
  • Visit the Museum of Glass and see what amazing things can be done with this versatile material
  • Rent a boat and go crabbing, 'squid jigging', fishing, or just enjoy the ride
  • Take a trip into central Seattle to see famous sites such as the Space Needle and the world's first Starbuck's coffee shop

Seattle/Tacoma Events:

March Moisture Festival: A great chance to see the world's best comedy, variety and vaudeville performers in one place.
May Seattle Cheese Festival: Like cheese? Sample over 250 types and enjoy unusual activities such as the cheese maze.
June Slugfest: Can you bear to celebrate this maligned creature? Plenty can!
July Seafair Five weeks of events including air shows, fireworks and a torchlight parade.
July to August Music in the Parks: While away Thursday evenings and Saturday afternoons listening to outdoor concerts. Also look out for outdoor movie screenings.
September Bumbershoot: The biggest arts and music festival in North America.
November to December Winterfest This seasonal event offers ice-skating, concerts, dance, exhibitions and more.

Links

Tacoma Culture Find out about art tours, the city's historic buildings, and upcoming cultural events.
City of Destiny A great introduction to Tacoma. Don't miss the 'weird and wonderful' page.
Museum of Glass An international centre for contemporary glass art.
Tacoma Narrows Bridge Read the dramatic story of the bridge that collapsed into the Puget Sound, and the safer version that replaced it.
Space Needle Built in 1962, this distinctive landmark stands tall over Seattle - this is the official website, which also incorporates a live web cam.
Mount Rainier National Park Vast national park which is home to Mount Rainier - this location is ideal for snow sports in the winter.
Point Defiance Park Zoo and Aquarium  Tacoma's local attraction - find out what species you can come face to face with.
Bumbershoot Official site for this oddly-named arts and music festival.
Moisture Festival  Find out more about this celebration of comedy and variety.

 

Seattle-Tacoma: local information

All the practical details you need. Can't find something? Just ask us a question.

School facts:

  • Class size average 10 students
  • Number of students 40 approx 
  • Number of teachers 4
  • Minimum student age 16
  • Average student age 22
  • Internet Access to the school's 16 computers is available in the Media Lab from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; wireless internet is also available throughout the school.
  • Facilities Access to campus facilities, including indoor and outdoor sports facilities, cafeterias, library, various multimedia computer labs and student events; comfortable student common room with vending machines, fridge, microwave, daily newspapers etc; library, interactive whiteboards.
  • Accessibility The school is accessible to the visually impaired, the hearing impaired and those in wheelchairs.



  • Nearest supermarket: On campus
  • Nearest newspaper seller: On campus
  • Nearest bank: 2 minutes' walk
  • Nearest park: On campus
  • Nearest café / restaurant: Across the street
  • Nearest post office: 5 minutes' walk
  • Nearest coffee shop: On campus
  • Nearest shopping centre: 30 minutes by bus
  • Nearest bus stop: On campus / 2 blocks away (depending on line)
  • Nearest church: Across the street
  • Nearest mosque: 12 miles

Cost of Living

We currently advise that students should budget approximately US $200 per week. This will cover all transport, food and entertainment costs.

A few sample prices (all in US $):

Item Price
Item Price
A cup of coffee (in a chain like Starbucks) 1.40 (drip coffee) 3.50 (latte)
Can of Coca Cola 1.50
Big Mac hamburger 3.00
Three course meal in a mid range restaurant 25.00 + tip
Takeaway, e.g. from a teriyaki restaurant 6.00
Cinema ticket 10.00
Nightclub entrance 5.00 - 10.00
Bus 1.50 within county; 3.00 to change county lines; 54.00 for monthly pass
Taxi 2.50 basic and then 2.00 per additional mile

(information last updated 2009)

Prices are in US $. Access a currency converter here.

Embassy Seattle-Tacoma location map

  • Click and drag on the map to see the surrounding area
  • For a photographic aerial view, click on 'satellite'
  • Zoom in or out with the tool top left

How to reach Embassy Seattle-Tacoma

Embassy Seattle-Tacoma is situated on the campus of Pacific Lutheran University, in the commuter town of Tacoma, 36 miles south of Seattle.

The local public transportation system is reliable and inexpensive. The bus network in Tacoma is wide-ranging and convenient, and makes transportation to downtown Seattle very easy.

Alternatively, a commuter train carries passengers between Seattle and Tacoma.

Some public transport is free! Downtown Tacoma has a free light rail system that swiftly carries passengers within the local area, and Seattle’s underground bus system provides free transportation inside the downtown area.

By bus

From Seattle to Embassy at Pacific Lutheran University

Take Bus 590, 591, 592, or 594 from Seattle-Tacoma to the Tacoma Dome Station. The buses run two or three times an hour, from 5.30 am to 11.30 pm, and take approx 50 minutes (cost US$ 3.00).

Transfer to Bus 1 south, and get off at Parkland Transit Center (approx 30 mins, approx four times an hour, cost US$ 1.50).

From Parkland Transit Center walk across the street to the East Campus building. Embassy/Study Group offices are located on the 2nd floor.

From Pacific Lutheran University to downtown Tacoma

Walk across the street to the Parkland Transit Center and take Bus 1 north to Tacoma Dome Station (approx 30 mins, approx four times an hour, cost US$ 1.50).

(information last updated 2009)

By car

From Interstate 5 (North or South)

  • Take exit 127 off Interstate 5 and head east on Highway 512
  • Continue on 512 for approximately two miles
  • Take the WA-7/Pacific Ave exit.
  • Turn right on Pacific Avenue S.
  • Turn right on 121 St.
  • Turn left into the parking lot of the East Campus/PLU Community Outreach Building.
  • Embassy/Study Group offices are located on the 2nd floor in Suite 25.

Links:

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport Everything you need to know about the airport, including how to get to and from it.
Metro Transit Inexpensive bus service to and from Seattle-Tacoma airport.
Metro Online Seattle's public transport system - find out how to buy a ticket online, or consult routes and timetables.
Sound Transit Regional network of express buses, commuter rail, light rail and transit facilities.

Seattle-Tacoma facts

Hottest months Jun - Sept, 60 - 80° F. Bring: layered clothes including t-shirts, sweaters, light coats and jeans.
Coldest month Oct - Feb, 30 - 50° F. Bring: warm clothes, including sweaters, jeans, an outdoor coat or jacket, hat, scarf, gloves and good boots. Expect snow; Seattle is known for its frequent rain, although the climate is fairly mild.
Weather now Five-day forecast from the BBC
Time zone Pacific Standard Time (PST) Time now World Clock
Tacoma is best known for theatre, great architecture, fine restaurants.
Seattle is best known for coffee, 'Grunge' music, magnificent surrounding landscapes, seafood, and the movie Sleepless in Seattle.

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