Liam (Sem 1, 2023)

My Exchange at The University of Washington

I first time I heard about the 360 International Exchange programme was in my first year, as many of my lecturers in the Global Studies discipline stressed the need to go overseas and experience other cultures, as well as expand our networks across the globe. Since then, I was interested in doing so, but only fully committed to it in 2022 when I applied.

My first impressions of when I arrived in Seattle was that it was cold, dark, and isolating, mainly due to it being in the middle of winter with 4ºC highs, but also because I didn’t know anybody there. The accommodation on campus in the Halls of residence (Oak Hall specifically) was not very ideal, mainly because I arrived and the room was extremely dirty and had mould, but the RA’s said that there was nothing that they could do. Apart from that, it was a challenging experience living in the same room as two others, but it eventually got easier, and the facilities such as dining hall, gym, and equipment available to students in the accommodation were great. The orientation for international students was great, as it was how I met most of my friends over there, and it was very helpful going over common issues and concerns around our J-1 Visa requirements.

The courses and teachings at the University of Washington were phenomenal, the content I learned was from the best in the disciplines and the teachers were all very passionate about what they taught. Seattle was a beautiful city, more so in spring than winter, and there was an abundance of activities and sights to see and places to travel to. The cost of living compared to Auckland was a bit higher, mainly due to living on campus and accommodation fees, but the price of food and drinks was lower than Auckland, and public transport is included within my tuition fees.

Extracurricular activities I took part in were with other international exchange students, such as road trips to nearby towns and Canada, but the clubs/organisations around campus were not very receptive of international students and often didn’t reply to requests to join. Life in campus was great, heaps of people milling around (and tourists looking at architecture too), and many flea markets and art exhibits were on display throughout the year. The food was great in Seattle, teriyaki chicken and Dick’s Burgers were some essential spots, and the coffee culture was amazing and extensive.

Some of the highlights of the exchange was a road trip to Vancouver in Canada, when it started snowing on University of Washington campus, and the street festivals which featured live Jazz. Some challenges were the distance from home and not knowing anybody, as well as some of the content was a little difficult at times as it wasn’t taught back in New Zealand. Apart from that though, the more time I spent there the more I felt comfortable and the more friends and good times I had. Some advice for others going on exchange is to make sure your accommodation is sorted out as soon as possible, as University of Washington was one of the first universities to start and I only got assigned a room a week or two before I left. Another piece of advice would be to always attend international student organisation events, as that is how I made the most of my friends and how I became more comfortable in Seattle. Would highly recommend an international exchange to Seattle as it was some of the best months of my life!

Q&A

What were some of the highlights of the academic experience at your host university?

The courses were a lot more engaging, some used the socratic method, others sat down with students in class and had a public conversation, others posted discussions online, it was very much an open-ended dialogue instead of a lecture format that we are used to at the University of Auckland. The content was a bit more difficult than UoA, but the grading was very lenient and generous at times. The guest lectures as well were amazing, as they brought in people from all across the United States who were experts in their respective fields, lending to a more cohesive learning environment.

Would you recommend any particular activity/activities unique to your host country or university?

Would definitely recommend the CIRCLE events at the University of Washington, as they were hosting multiple events where I met other international students. Also attending events from faculty-specific organisations, such as LSJ and PoliSci were great to network with others, as well as connect with professors better.

What are your top 3 tips for future students attending your host university or going on exchange to your host country?

• Get accommodation sorted as soon as possible as it is one of the first Universities to start in the United States, as well as starting your Visa application as soon as possible.

• Make sure to have both cash and an international card to use for purchasing, as in many instances my card didn’t work or in some places they didn’t accept cash.

• Another tip would be to pack for the weather as Seattle gets very cold, and if you don’t have much luggage space go to a thrift store/Goodwills when you arrive and then donate it when you leave to save space.

How much did you budget for your exchange? Was this enough? Were there any lessons learned that would help future students budget for their own exchange?

I was thankfully eligible for student allowance, but the process took a long time to get approved, especially when I was already overseas. My advice for budgeting would be to start saving as soon as possible, as if you stay on campus the dining account is limited and not always enough and you may have to rely on savings. I spent around $50-$100 each week on activities such as eating out, bars, and travelling, but it can be easy to find cheap places or cook for yourself if you have the means to. Go to Hmart for groceries as I found them cheaper than other places too.

What are your most significant takeaways from your experience abroad?

The most significant takeaway was probably the educational experience I got that was American-specific, such as the U.S. Supreme Court and local politics which I was very interested in, and I would never have gotten this opportunity from remaining at the University of Auckland. The networking and friends I also made was also so extensive, as I now know people in Ireland, the U.K., The Netherlands, Italy, Canada, U.S., and Denmark. Was the trip of a lifetime.

Do you want to share anything about travels you did outside your host city/country?

I travelled to Chicago in Spring Break for St Patricks Day which was amazing as they dyed the river green. I also travelled to Vancouver, Canada, as it is a quick train ride from Seattle for a long weekend, which was such a fun experience and was able to tick Canada off of my travel list. On the way back to New Zealand, I stopped off in New York City for a week which was an awesome city, full of so much to do and such a diverse mix of cultures.