Taking the Plunge in Seattle
A visiting student's host family helps a new place feel like home.
Guest Post by Ann Danzel P. Albaña
Ann participated in the recent Global Social Entrepreneurship Competition (GSEC), organized each year by the Global Business Center at the University of Washington's Foster School of Business. FIUTS hosts volunteer to offer homestays for GSEC students, and this blog post describes Ann's time in Seattle with her host family. Ann's team, AYUDA Food Aid, won the Global Health Prize at this year's GSEC.
I am currently an undergraduate student majoring in Legal Management in the Philippines. Going to Seattle for the very first time alone gave me jitters. In spite of this, I still took the plunge and immersed myself to a sea of uncertainties but a sea of deep learning and thrilling experiences. I may have stepped out of my comfort zone but I would say this is one of the most striking experiences I have had by far—definitely worth it.
Still uncertain with what is in store for me, I met Reena and Nate (thank you to FIUTS). And they are the people I consider as my family in Seattle. They helped me veer away from those jitters and made me enjoy every moment I have had in Seattle. They are not just very accommodating but also supportive and so awesome to be with. I really had fun talking to them, eating with them, going out with them and learning things from them. They made me feel like I am not away from home; they made me feel like Seattle is home. I am really lucky to have been assigned to these two brilliant and cool people.
They showed me around before I participated in University of Washington’s Global Social Entrepreneurship Competition (GSEC) 2014. They are also beyond nice to teach me some practices, whereabouts, and what not to familiarize myself with the must-know things about Seattle and the vicinity I lived in. And one of the things that caught my attention is that, people don’t really use umbrellas whenever it is drizzling. I really enjoyed walking and driving around with them, whether in University District, in Downtown Seattle or in different neighborhoods nearby.
They also allowed me to join and help them cook. I was also very lucky to taste new dishes and pastries especially prepared by this couple and introduced some of their favorite food to eat in Seattle. Given that I have a sweet tooth, I love food and I love seeing/discovering new things, a short trip to these neighborhoods and tourist spots really made me thrilled and want to plunge more to the other things that are found in Seattle.
Their support for our team is also overwhelming. Reena and Nate really expressed their full support in so many ways during the competition up to the present. They continuously empower us and give us confidence as we go through the day’s endeavors.
I am really grateful for having the chance to meet such inspiring and wonderful people. Not just Reena and Nate (from the FIUTS Program) but all the people I have met in Seattle. I really fell in love with Seattle. I fell in love with it not just because the place is really beautiful, the weather is cold, the food is really delicious, but also because of the people whom I met.
I will definitely love to go back to Seattle one day, meet Reena, Nate and the other friends I have made during my stay there and spend more time with them as I once again take the plunge and immerse myself with the Seattle culture.
*Note: all the photos used are mine and taken using my iPhone.
Congratulations to Ann and to all the GSEC participants, and thank you to everyone who hosted this year! Learn more about hosting an international student for a short-term homestay through FIUTS at www.fiuts.org/homestay.