Seattle University puts you in the center of one of the country's most dynamic cities, a city at the forefront of scientific, medical, and technological research and innovation. It's the city that brought you Bill Gates, Starbucks, Nordstrom, Sleepless in Seattle, Pearl Jam, REI, the Experience Music Project, Tom Robbins, and Ichiro Suzuki. Seattle University brings you close to the local source of tomorrow's discoveries.
Our faculty is always finding ways to link student education to the people and organizations that help make Seattle great, whether it's getting curriculum advice from CEOs of large corporations, partnering with government officials, visiting scientists' laboratories to discuss emerging careers, matching students with mentors in their fields, or working with local nonprofit agencies on volunteer service projects. See firsthand how Jesuit education enhances the lives of executives, elected officials, social service experts, artists, writers, adventurers, entrepreneurs, and other alumni living in the Puget Sound region. That's another reason why we consider Seattle—with all of its resources—an extension of our classroom.
Visitors come from around the world to enjoy the region's outdoor adventures, many less than an hour away from the Seattle University campus. Hike, bike, fish, climb, or just enjoy the view. Within 45 minutes you can escape from the city and hit the slopes. Between two mountain ranges, the Cascades and the Olympics, Seattle is a center of winter activity.
In Seattle, you're never very far from water, and water means beaches. Explore the coastline, play a little volleyball, visit the Seattle Aquarium, or just wiggle your toes in the sand.
Pike Place Market is the soul of the city. Equal parts farmers' market, seafood stall, public gathering place, and carnival, the market is a sensual and cultural experience that never fails to satisfy.
Seattleites take their professional sports seriously. Catch an afternoon Mariners game at Safeco Field. Or maybe the Sonics or Storm in Key Arena. Or the Seahawks in Qwest Field. Just be sure to get back in time to cheer on the Redhawks.
Despite our misty reputation, Seattle's annual rainfall is less than that of New York, Atlanta, or Boston. But bring along your umbrella anyway.
The rain does have its bright side. It keeps temperatures mild, never too cold or too hot, and helps make the Puget Sound area a verdant landscape year-round. That's why we call Washington the “Evergreen State.” And when it rains in the city, it's probably snowing in the mountains, laying down good powder for skiing, snowboarding, and sledding, or just creating breathtaking views of snow-capped peaks.
Seattleites don't mind the weather. Events are rarely canceled because of rain. We just tuck umbrellas in our backpacks or flip up the hoods of our rain jackets. We even honor the rain by naming one of our music festivals “Bumbershoot,” a 19th century American term for umbrella.
Seattle's music scene, which exploded in the early nineties with bands like Nirvana, Soundgarden, and Pearl Jam, is now being lead by Modest Mouse, Band of Horses, The Long Winters, The Emergency and Death Cab for Cutie.
Seattle's thriving arts community is anchored by the comprehensive collections of the Seattle Art Museum. On the first Thursday of every month, downtown galleries stay open late and art fans stroll from show to show.
Entertainment is never more than a moment away. Catch world-class performances by the Pacific Northwest Ballet, Seattle Symphony, Seattle Repertory Theater, or any of the dozens of theater, dance, and music venues in the city.
Are you a movie buff? Seattle is home to over 90 movie screens showing everything from summer blockbusters to independent films. Catch the Seattle International Film Festival, which brings more than 250 films from 50 countries to the city each spring.
Seattle is the birthplace of modern coffee culture, from Starbucks to neighborhood hangouts like Café Vita or Bauhaus Coffee and Books. Each café has its own flavor: quiet and contemplative to loud and alternative.
