Northwest Bound: Preparing to Travel - What to bring with you to Washington

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

July 24, 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? What should I not bring? How do they dress in the Seattle area? Does it really rain every day? Where can I buy the food items that I like?

While we might not be able to answer all of your questions, this issue aims to at least give you some things to think about! Also, please feel free to reach out to FIUTS with any questions specific to you, and we will do our best to try and get you an answer.

All the best,

Josef Cole, Manager of Student Programs

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 plan to bring any electronics from home, electrical converters will also be useful. U.S. outlets have two prongs and 110 voltage.

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. Personally, I rarely leave the house without at least a lightweight, waterproof jacket in my backpack.

Make sure to pack a few personal things that make you feel at home, and you may want to bring some interesting small 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!

You do NOT need to bring everything from your home with you to Seattle. With some exceptions, you will be able to buy all of your food/cooking essentials here in Seattle. In addition to large grocery stores, there are also a plethora of stores catering to specific cuisines and methods of cooking. There are also plenty of places to purchase clothes, electronics, and household goods either online or from a brick-and-mortar store in the area.

Pike Place Market has multiple specialty food shops all conveniently located in one small area. Likewise, the CID (Chinatown/International District), home to Uwajimaya, has multiple grocers with specialty items. Other options in Seattle include Plaza Latina, Asian Family Market, Spice SPC, H Mart, Goodies Mediterranean Market, Africanita Market, and more. There are many small specialty shops ranging south of Renton up north past Everett, and from Seattle to the Eastside (Bellevue, Redmond, Kirkland, etc). Do some research, look around, and don’t be afraid to try somewhere new!

Seattle is known for a relatively casual dress style; you are just as likely to see professionals (particularly those in tech) wearing flannels, jeans or leggings, Crocs, vests, and/or hoodies to the workplace/school as you are business or business casual attire. 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!

Clothing stores that cater to all manners of dress can be found throughout Seattle and the surrounding area. The Westlake/Downtown area of Seattle has a large variety of name brand stores (many outdoor focused) like Nordstrom, REI, KÜHL, Arc’teryx, Outdoor Research, Urban Outfitters, Patagonia, Fjällräven, and more. Similarly, Capitol Hill and University Village have designer and boutique stores galore. Although does not have as many stores as it once did, Northgate is a lovely mixed-use area with a Target and Best Buy nearby for electronics and home goods purchases.

For those willing to travel outside of Seattle, Bellevue Square is a true high-end American mall experience. Likewise, Alderwood Mall is chocked with enough stores to fulfill any of your shopping needs. The North Bend Outlet Mall provides discounted options for numerous name brands, as does outlet mall in Marysville/Tulalip.

As with groceries, in addition to the larger retailers mentioned above, every neighborhood in Seattle generally has smaller local shops that run the gamut from high-end fashion to pragmatic apparel. Moreover, many neighborhoods offer a classic Seattle shopping pastime, thrifting, which we will discuss below.

Thrifting

With the prices and environmental impact of buying new clothes in mind, many Seattleites have turned to shopping for and wearing secondhand clothes instead (thrifting). Thrifting has gone from a niche market to big business here. Nearly every neighborhood has at least one thrift store, and some places like the U District have multiple in close proximity to one another. A local rapper, Macklemore, created a hit national record centered on thrifting, Thrift Shop. Some thrift shops like Buffalo Exchange and Lucky Dog Clothing focus exclusively on clothing items while others, such as Goodwill, offer used art, household goods, sporting equipment and more. You will soon discover that some stores are a great place to look for a specific type of item whereas others are generalists.

Here are some tips for the beginning thrifter:

• Do not walk into a store looking for a hyper-specific item, rather go in with an open mind and find things that speak to you.

• It’s OK to not buy anything.

• Only buy things that you actually see yourself wearing in the near(ish) future.

• If you find a good deal, do some research on how to care for the item.

• Even if you find a goldmine, try to leave something for others (overconsumption goes against the thrifting ethos).

• Build good relationships with store employees and your fellow shoppers.

• If you are finished wearing something that is in good shape, donate it!

• It’s ok to buy some things new.

• Enjoy yourself!

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.

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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