The summer definitely lived up to its promises.

Looking back on the summer at City University of Seattle

When I look back on the Summer Quarter, what stays with me most is a feeling of openness and freedom. After my first quarter, I thought I had a pretty good understanding of Seattle and the U.S. Then the days grew longer, the mountains became snow-free, and the city revealed itself in a completely new way. It was a time when something seemed to change almost every day, in the landscapes around me just as much as within myself.

The Summer Program brought together a new mix of students, with a large group from Mexico and Korea joining us in Seattle. In an environment like this, international friendships formed incredibly quickly, as everyone was new at the same time and everyone knew that our time together was limited. And as summer arrived, almost everything moved outdoors. By the end of the last class, we usually already had plans for where we would be heading over the next few days.

During these weeks, something happened that I had never experienced quite like this before. In spring, there was still snow in the mountains, the waterfalls were swollen with meltwater, and the forests were dark and wet. Then, week by week, the snowline moved higher, mountain passes began to reopen, and by mid-July, the meadows at Mount Rainier were in full bloom. Experiencing this transition not just through photos, but in real time, is one of the most beautiful memories I take away from this experience.

Having a car was probably my most valuable asset during my time there. It allowed me to explore the national and state parks in the region one by one, often on a spontaneous whim. I also frequently drove to Vancouver to visit my host family and friends from a previous study abroad experience. However, the fact that so many of these trips were possible at short notice was not only thanks to having a car.

Because, believe it or not, the weather consistently played along. Seattle is often teased for its rain, but the summer here was PERFECT for me: dry and pleasantly mild. Rarely exceeding 30°C, with daylight lasting until after 9 p.m., it was warm enough for a dip in Puget Sound or one of the many alpine lakes.

One of my professional highlights was visiting Boeing, where I got to see the final assembly of the 777 and 777X. Definitely a must for anyone interested in technology and engineering! The sheer scale of the factory is difficult to put into words, you really have to stand inside it to fully understand it. In general, I organized many of these trips myself, and that is perhaps an important point to keep in mind. Seattle opens doors if you are willing to knock. Amazon, Microsoft, and Boeing are all within reach, and a few emails combined with a little persistence can take you much further than you might expect.

Of course, not everything happened on its own. Seattle is expensive, and without a car, most of these destinations would have been difficult for me to reach. CityU is also not a traditional American campus university with a ready-made social and recreational program. However, if you are willing to make your own plans and reach out to people, you can have a semester that is truly unlike any other!

Ultimately, I would recommend Seattle to anyone who loves nature, is interested in business and technology, and is ready to take their experience into their own hands. And if you’re wondering which time of year to choose: definitely go for the summer!