School/work/sleep/eat at home:
Life can get redundant and boring staring at the same 4 walls at home, a necessary step we must all take to #stopthespread. The Corbett Virtual Exchange has been an opportunity to change my surroundings a bit – just in an online format. This year, instead of attending classes at the University of Washington, the program has moved online. Gathering together to discuss cross-border issues has allowed us to make connections that are rare, especially during these times when we are so isolated.
Seattle, Fall 2018:
This year I won’t get to see Washington in person and see UW’s budding cherry blossom trees, but I do still have fond memories of Seattle to share.
Photo credit: Negin Saadati
In 2018, I decided to take a weekend road trip to Seattle from Victoria with a few friends. I have lived in Victoria my whole life, and although I had visited Seattle when I was younger, I hadn’t been back for years – and I couldn’t understand why. Together with three other friends, we got into my beat-up Hyundai Accord and boarded the ferry from Swartz Bay to Tsawwassen, then crossed the border at Peace Arch Border Crossing. We were so excited to explore a city so close to us that we haven’t been to for years. The biggest difference I noticed between Seattle and Vancouver was how much more spread out Seattle was. For me, the most striking similarity is the cultural diversity present in both cities.
Pike Place Market:
Photo credit: Negin Saadati
My favourite part of the city was the Seattle Public Market; it was bustling with culture and excitement. There was a great deal of history at the market; my favourite stop at the market was the Piroshky-Piroshky bakery. I also loved seeing people pick up the most beautiful and fresh flower arrangements from the market on their way home from work.
I am definitely looking forward to more visits to Seattle in the years to come, hopefully via the purposed High-Speed Rail Corridor between Vancouver, Seattle and Portland!
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The Corbett British Columbia-Washington International Exchange Program Fund provides an opportunity for undergraduate students at the University of Washington to spend two semesters at the University of British Columbia or University of Victoria; and for students from the University of British Columbia and University of Victoria to spend three quarters at the University of Washington.
