My first month in Seattle

The start of an unforgettable study abroad experience

Even before my semester abroad, it was clear to me that I absolutely wanted to go to the U.S. West Coast. I quickly chose Seattle, mainly because of its unique combination of a big city, mountains, water, and nature. My expectation was that, alongside my studies, I would get to experience as much of Washington State as possible: exploring national parks, going camping, hiking, discovering islands, and generally living an active everyday life in the heart of the Pacific Northwest.

After my first month here, I can say that this expectation has been completely confirmed so far.

Although Seattle is a major U.S. city, much of it feels far more relaxed and personal than I had expected. People are open, friendly, and incredibly helpful, which makes it easy to feel welcome quickly. At the same time, despite its size, the city has an almost familiar atmosphere. Everywhere you find small parks, harbors, viewpoints, or spots right by the water where people gather, play sports, or simply relax. It is exactly this combination of urban life and nature that makes Seattle so special to me.

The changeable weather is also simply part of Seattle. In my first weeks here, I experienced everything from sunshine to rain and even hail. However, this is exactly what somehow makes the city special. Depending on the weather, everyday life changes as well: on sunny days, many people head to the water, the parks, or the nature around Seattle, while rainy days are perfect for exploring the city’s sports culture, museums, cafés, or different neighborhoods. As a result, there is quickly the feeling that there is always something to experience here, regardless of the season.

When some quiet time is needed, Cornish Commons provides a perfect home base right in downtown Seattle. Its central location makes it easy to reach almost everything on foot or by public transport. At the same time, the residence offers modern common areas, a gym, and plenty of opportunities to quickly meet other international students. What I also found particularly pleasant was that I even got a double dorm room to myself.

The modern city campus of the university fits perfectly with the atmosphere of the city and differs in some respects quite significantly from the typical German university experience. The studies here are more focused on continuous participation and project work. At first, I had to get used to the new rhythm of regular assignments and ongoing coursework, but I adapted to it surprisingly quickly. At the same time, in my opinion, this creates a more personal and engaging learning experience.

If you organize your studies well, there is still plenty of time to explore the Pacific Northwest. Even now, I have already been able to go on my first hikes, discover islands, and collect many different impressions of Washington State. What is especially impressive is how quickly you can go from the city straight into nature. Whether it is mountains, lakes, forests, or the Pacific Ocean, everything is just a short drive away. For outdoor enthusiasts like me, it is truly a paradise.

One experience that has already left a lasting impression on me is the ferry ride back from Bainbridge Island: as dusk slowly set in, the view opened up to the Seattle skyline with Mount Rainier in the background – a breathtaking scene that will definitely stay in my mind for a long time.

Looking ahead to the coming months, I am especially excited about summer in Washington State. Longer road trips, camping, and trips to the national parks will become even more possible then. My first month has definitely shown that Seattle was exactly the right choice – and that many more special experiences are still to come in the months ahead.

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