<p>Hi, I'm from Singapore, and I will be studying at UW (Seattle) this coming fall. Having grown up in the East, </p>
<p>(a) I would like to know more about college life in the USA.
(b) I would also like to know the "dress code" in Seattle, so that I can prepare my clothing (heard it's cloudy/wet for most of the days).
(c) Are the things there affordable (food, transportation, clothing, electronic devices, general cost of living, etc.), if they are, it'll be much easier for me to buy things when i reach there rather than bringing from home.
(d) Which bank is best for me, i'm looking at the Big 4 (Citibank, Bank of America, Chase, Wells Fargo) as well as the US Bank. They all have atms/banks located either within or near my campus. Are there any more recommendable banks that I can consider too?
(e) Lastly, is living off-campus or on-campus a better option for me (fyi, i'm 21 years old)? Where is accommodation on-campus found?</p>
<p>Grew up in the Seattle area, graduated from the UW and now work/live in Seattle.</p>
<p>A) That’s a pretty broad question. I never attended college outside of the US so I can’t really compare it to anything else. I would just encourage you to be open to meeting people from all backgrounds. Too many internationals students just stick with friends from their home country instead of allowing themselves to be more diverse. </p>
<p>B) Eh… Many people say to dress in layers. Seattle is notorious for being casual when it comes to dress. A typical winter outfit may include a light rain jacket to wear when outside. Then underneath that a light sweater that you can continue to wear when inside. Underneath that could be a t-shirt in case you get hot inside. Jeans are good to wear all year around, especially if you are male. Have at least one big winter jacket, a pair of mittens and a winter knit hat for the dead of winter. It can snow here. So come with shoes that will keep your feet warm and won’t get ruined in snow/rain. For summer a few pairs of shorts, sandals and dresses if you are female are good. It doesn’t rain much during the summer and can get warm. </p>
<p>C) Affordable… Not really sure about this. The UW gives you a bus pass as part of your tuition that you can use to get around the city and its suburbs rather easily. The Singapore dollar is currently worth less than the US dollar so at that superficial level things like food and etc should cost more. But clothes and electronics may be cheaper here. </p>
<p>D) I am with Bank of America, and they have the highest number of ATMs near campus. They actually have an ATM in one of libraries. Not familiar with any of the other banks.</p>
<p>E) If you can afford it, I may recommend living in a student on campus apartments like Steven’s Court. You are 21 and probably would be annoyed living in the dorms. But you can certainly find a private apartment off campus. There are tons within a short walking distance of campus. There are also tons of restaurants a block away from campus so your food options are limitless really.</p>
<p>Watch episodes of Frasier, which accurately depicts the life of the average Seattleite.</p>
<p>^ Hahaha! Good one. I know you are kidding, but I just have to say that I have been watching Frasier on Netflix! I always laugh at how wrong they are regarding Seattle. The Sonics playing in the Tacoma Dome? Never! They pronounced Lake Chelan wrong and what is up with Niles and Frasier always wearing suits? No one wears suits to work in Seattle unless you work as a Nordstroms shoe salesmen or something. lol! Those two would be so out of place here in real life.</p>
<p>They depict Seattle as being stuffed with stuffy, ultra-cultured Old Money WASPS and elite French restaurants you can’t get a table in.</p>
<p>Today is bright, sunny, and not a cloud in the sky. It’s supposed to get to 60 degrees in Seattle, though it was 34 when I woke up.</p>
<p>a) You will meet all types, but there will be a couple of commonalities at UW: everyone there was a pretty good HS student and most of the kids come from somewhere around Seattle.</p>
<p>b) Wear what is comfortable. This area is famous for its casualness - I went to the Seattle Symphony last week in a pair of blue jeans. Just make sure that your everyday footwear is not mesh or else your socks will be wet. You will need a waterproof layer and a waterproof winter coat.</p>
<p>c) What’s been said already …</p>
<p>d) As an international, you may want to go with US Bank. They have a full service bank branch inside the student union building and a contract with WA colleges, thus will be eager to keep students happy. Not so with the others. Definitely avoid Wells Fargo.</p>
<p>e) Second for Stevens Court.</p>