Come with me to explore Cannon Beach in Oregon – Studying abroad at York St John
Hi! I’m Andreana, a history student, currently studying at Pacific University in Oregon. I’ve been here almost 3 months and I’m really enjoying classes and life on campus. Studying abroad has been one of the best decisions I’ve made, not just academically but socially too! There is a lot to do around Oregon, especially outdoors.
One of my favourite recent trips was to Cannon Beach, a small coastal town about an hour and a half from Portland. You might recognize Cannon Beach from The Goonies or Twilight. The beach’s most famous landmark, Haystack Rock, stands tall just offshore, and even on a grey day it is still amazing. The weather can be unpredictable. When we arrived in the late morning it was misty and cool but as the day went on it became really nice and sunny. We were able to visit Cannon Beach through the university and the lovely Katelyn and Scott, who have helped us settle into Pacific, drove a group of us to the beach. On the drive, we got to see some amazing views from the forest areas surrounding the roads.
Once we arrived, we walked along the beach, explored the tide pools and took many photos. Afterwards, we found a small café right on the beach for some lunch. People here were very friendly and curious, it’s easy to start a conversation.
After spending some time around the beach and getting food from the local café, we decided to go on a walk around the neighbourhood. We strolled through streets with big beach houses and gorgeous views of the forest area in the distance. One thing to look for when around Cannon Beach are the bunnies, they’re everywhere and so cute!
Studying abroad isn’t just about lectures and coursework, though the academic experience has been great. It’s about learning to adapt, meeting people from different backgrounds, and see new places like Cannon Beach. Classes here tend to be more discussion-based than at home, and the professors often connect lessons to local topics. For example, I’m taking a Making of Modern China history class and one lesson we got to look at the university’s own archives of their Boxer mascot that has a long history of its creation and why it ended up at Pacific!
Trips like this remind me why I chose to study abroad in the first place. It’s not just about ticking places off a list; it’s about getting to know a different part of the world and experiencing it alongside new friends.
If you ever get the chance to study abroad, take it. And if you end up in Oregon, make sure Cannon Beach is on your list!
Find out more about studying abroad at York St John
