Northwest Bound: Packing, Banking, Cell Phones

#3 of six newsletters for students who will study in the Greater Seattle area starting Fall ‘25

July 17, 2025

Hello incoming students!

While it's very exciting to be preparing to study in a new country, it can also be overwhelming! At this point you probably still have many questions like what to bring? Where to open a bank account? How to keep in touch with your friends? This e-mail will hopefully answer some of those questions and more!

FIUTS has created a WhatsApp group to provide students with a space to share housing leads, connect with potential roommates, and share tips on housing and furnishing your new home. Join here!

Apply today for a short-term homestay!

Apply today for a short-term homestay!

Interested in staying with a local family for your first week in the Seattle area? FIUTS hosts are volunteers who open their homes and lives to new students! Students pay only a small application fee to take part in the program once they are placed. Note: Homestay applications are due one month before arrival.

Have questions about homestay? Reach out to Olena Vlasova, FIUTS Manager of Education Programs.

Learn more and apply today!

What will you need for your studies at a college or university in the US? Some of your most important items:

A laptop computer is a must. There is free wireless internet on campuses and in many places around the city. If you bring any electronics from home, Electrical converters will also be useful. U.S. outlets have two prongs and 110 voltage.

Seattle is a very casual city, and most students wear jeans and casual clothing to class. Bring clothing for temperatures ranging from below freezing in winter up and up to around 85 degrees Fahrenheit/30 degrees Celsius in summer. Many people find it best to wear layers, because sometimes we can have many kinds of weather in a single day!

The rumors you've heard about Seattle rain are true: it rains frequently throughout the year, and we often have grey, overcast days, so every Seattleite should have an umbrella, sunglasses, and walking shoes for all of the hills. And don't forget a warm, weatherproof jacket - so you can join FIUTS Events & Activities to explore our beautiful beaches, forests, and mountains no matter what the weather.

Pack a few personal things that make you feel at home, and you may want to bring some interesting items from your home country such as photos, candy, books, etc., to show your friends and host family and to give as gifts. You also might be invited to participate in an event to showcase your home culture, like FIUTS CulturalFest - so be sure to bring a few items that represent your own cultural traditions!

Cell phone companies charge different rates and offer different types of contracts and services. Plans typically range from $30 - $100 per month depending on how many minutes you use and the data packages. Many companies now have sim cards available so you can use your own phone and monthly plans usually include talk, text, and data. 

Pre-paid phones are an alternative to contracts, but they are much more expensive if used frequently. To set up a contract service plan you will generally need a Social Security number (except for prepaid or "to go" phones), a state-issued ID, and debit or credit card with a Visa or Mastercard symbol. If you do not have a social security number or debit card, you may need to pay a large deposit of a couple hundred dollars. 

Many cell phone companies offer special discounts for international students in the fall. 

There are many different cell phone plan providers that you can use in the Seattle area. One option is Panda Mobile, who have been a sponsor of FIUTS for the last few years, and we highly recommend that you check them out!

Stay Connected from Day One with Panda Mobile 📱🌏

Starting your journey in a new country is exciting—but navigating mobile service doesn’t have to be confusing. That’s why Panda Mobile is proud to partner with FIUTS to help international students stay connected from the moment they land in Seattle.

Panda Mobile is a student-friendly wireless service tailored to international communities—especially students—offering affordable, no-contract plans with unlimited calls and texts to 229 countries, including China, Korea, India, and more. Need a U.S. phone number before you arrive? We’ve got you. Want fast 5G data for Google Maps, WeChat, WhatsApp, and campus life? We’ve got that too.

As a special gift for FIUTS students, use code FIUTS50 to get 50% off your first 2 months of service (selected plans). Just order your SIM card or eSIM online and activate when you're ready—it's that easy.

✅ Plans starting as low as $12.5/month (With discount)

✅ Keep in touch with friends and family worldwide

✅ Bilingual customer support (English & 中文)

✅ Flexible plans—no credit check, no hassle

✅ Refer all your friends and both get $10 off each time, unlimited 💰💰💰

Whether you're finding your way to campus, calling home, or connecting with new friends, Panda Mobile is here to support your new life in Seattle. 🐼💬

Visit https://pandamobile.com/ to get started and learn more.

Welcome to the Pacific Northwest—we’re so glad you’re here!

Banking in Seattle

If you are staying in the U.S. longer than six months, living off campus, or planning to work in Seattle, then you should open a bank account at a local bank. You will need your passport or other official photo ID, and you may need to prove you have a local address before you can sign up. Some campuses have bank branches located on or near campus and nearly all have student accounts.

There are many banks to choose from, and they are competing for your business, so don't be shy about asking questions or shopping around. You should be able to open a student account for free at most banks. Every bank will give you a credit or debit card and checks once you open an account. Most shops, restaurants, and other businesses in Seattle will accept major credit cards such as Visa and Mastercard, while you may need some paper checks to pay rent or other large expenses. Very few businesses accept checks or travelers checks. 

BE CAREFUL WITH YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION: Be cautious and do not share your personal financial information with anyone. When paying for your tuition, please ensure that you do not allow anyone other than your parents or your third-party government sponsor to pay your tuition and fees. You should not allow anyone else to have access to your student account or bank account. This is confidential information and should not be shared with any other individual as it can expose you to fraud.

Adro

As with cell phone carriers, there are a lot of banking options in the Seattle area, and you should do careful research to find the best fit for your needs. One excellent option is Adro, a multi-year sponsor of FIUTS, and we highly recommend that you take a look into Adro for your banking needs.

Adro is fee-free, secure, digital banking access designed for international students. It's easy to sign up with Adro at any time, from anywhere, on your own schedule. You can open an account before you arrive, and once approved, transfer money from your home country bank into your new Adro account. We accept U.S. and international addresses and phone numbers during sign up.

Cross one thing off your to-do list before moving, skip the long appointment at a bank during orientation, and make sure you have access to USD when you land. Adro even makes it easy to show proof of funds, in case you're asked for this documentation by U.S. customs officials upon arriving at an American airport.

Save on international money transfers

Funding your US account is easy with Adro – we don’t charge you for inbound wire transfers. You read that right: there’s no fees for adding funds to your account from your bank back at home.

Get 2 free* ATM withdrawals per month, using any network

Adro doesn’t charge a fee to withdraw from any ATM network, and we also reimburse you on any ATM fees charged by the service provider. *Conditions apply, up to $5 per withdrawal for a maximum reimbursement of $10 per month.

Earn 1% cashback and build credit with your Adro credit card

The Adro credit card offers 1% cashback on all purchases. For example, if you spend $1,000 on buying textbooks, you'll earn $10 just for paying with your Adro credit card.

Save the Date(s): Welcome to Seattle Week

The FIUTS team is already preparing for this fall’s Welcome to Seattle Week! We’re planning a week of exploration, community building, and celebration as we kick off the academic year for new students from across our community. We will have daily neighborhood scavenger hunts, an international trivia night, a cruise around Lake Union, and a neighborhood cleanup followed by a community bbq/block party. Take a look at the schedule and save the date for your favorite event!

Welcome Week Sponsors

Discover Seattle with FIUTS!

Whether you enjoy shopping, going to museums, listening to live music, or hiking in the mountains, you'll find a variety of fun things to do in Seattle - and adventures are always more fun with friends! FIUTS events, activities, outreach, and leadership programs are designed to help you make the most of your time here in Seattle.

FIUTS offers more than 100 events and programs each year to help students explore our region and build friendships with others. Visit the FIUTS Events & Activities Calendar to see what's coming up.

If you don't already receive it, the FIUTS Weekly E-news highlights upcoming events and programs around the Puget Sound.

Are you #FollowingFIUTS on Social Media?

Foundation for International  Understanding Through Students

FIUTS advances international understanding through cross-cultural experiences, student leadership, and community connections.

909 NE 43rd St, Suite 210

Seattle, WA 98105
(206)  437-8056
www.fiuts.org