So you just moved to Seattle..
Everyone you know is talking about how excited they are to visit you. You are trying to establish a good work/life balance and happen upon some free time, so now what? We gathered some information from current graduate students about things they like to do and how to get the most out of your time at UW, in Seattle, and in the Pacific Northwest (PNW).
View from The Mountaineering Club PC: Lizzy Canarie
** Have cool photos of the Seattle Area or exploring with other graduate students? Send them to chemgrad@uw.edu and see them featured here **
We asked Graduate Students:
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, how many hours a week on average do you work?
- 60% said 40-50 hours
- 24% said 50-60 hours
- 12% said 40 hours or less
- 4% said 60 hours or more
Would you say graduate students in the chemistry department have a good work/life balance?
- 88% said Most people have found a good balance
- 12% said Absolutely
- and no one has said no! (yet)
What clubs are you involved in within the chemistry department?
Top Three: Mentor Network, Chemistry Graduate Student Club, InCS
Honorable Mentions: oSTEM, Student Senate, DICE, The Union (UAW 4121)
62.5% of the Chemistry Graduate Students we talked to said they participate in some sort of community service. Here are some of the things they do:
- Outreach events with UW Clubs like InCS, CEI, and others
- Volunteering and other outreach with an NSF center
- Volunteering at the U-District Food Bank.
- Volunteering at a child care center.
- Volunteering at a local animal shelter.
It’s Saturday night, What are you doing?
- At a bar with Friends/Other Graduate Students
- Staying in
- Hanging out in a Beer Garden
- Watching Live Music
- Playing Video Games
- Camping
- At a Night Market
- At a Sports Event Downtown
- On a Road Trip
- Working in the lab/at home
Seattle Spots
Where in the U-District do you like to go for lunch?
- Saigon Deli
- Agua Verde
- Basil Viet
- Bean and Bagel
- Amazing Thai
- Big Time Brewery
- Sizzle and Crunch
- Byrek and Baguette
- Chili’s South Indian
- Cafe Solstice
What is a “Must Do” in Seattle?
- Take a ferry to Bainbridge
- Explore Pike Place Market, as well as Night Markets and various Farmer’s Market
- Try new food – Thai, Japanese, Ethiopian, Peruvian, etc…ENDLESS FOOD.
- Kayak on Lake Union
- Take advantage of the metropolitan parks (Green Lake, Gas Works, Arboretum, Discovery Park, Magnuson Park, …)
- Hiking, take advantage of Washington’s geography!
- Discover the Local/Live Music Scene
- Go to a Sounders/Mariners/Seahawks/(Kraken!) game! Always fun even if you aren’t a huge fan.
- Explore local breweries, we especially like the ones with patios!
- Take the Theo Chocolate Factory Tour
What Tourist Spots are worth the price of admission?
- Chihuly Garden
- Woodland Park Zoo
- MoPop
- Starbucks Roastery
- The Underground Tour
What’s your favorite local spot for coffee?
- Cafe Solstice
- Cafe Allegro
- Seattle Sunshine Coffee
- Muddy Cup
- The Life Sciences building or Husky Grind (on campus, but the closest to the Chemistry buildings)
What’s your favorite local spot for beer?
- Ravenna Brewing
- Fremont Brewing
- Floating Bridge Brewery
- Big Time Brewery
- Burke Gilman Brewing Company
- (Really anywhere in Ballard)
For Cocktails?
- Flowers
- Kate’s Pub
- High Dive
- Unicorn
And Some Words of Wisdom…
“Even though Seattle is a “big city” it never really feels like one.”
“The best way to get to know an area is to get lost in it, go to a neighborhood hungry and without a plan”
“Download the One Bus Away or Transit apps, the live updates are reliable for most bus lines”
“As a country person, I found that where I live is important. Finding an apartment that is quiet enough that I don’t feel the stress of the city was key.”
“The roads are narrow and hilly, takes some practice to get used to”
“Explore! It’s good for your mental health and it will get you acquainted with the city. Take advantage of the summer!”
“UW gear garage has some great rental prices for students on things like camping and skiing gear”
Information as of Summer 2020. Interested in helping us update? Email chemgrad@uw.edu
For some more resources..
- Google Doc for things to do in and around Seattle (courtesy of UW Chem Mentoring)
