Student report: Ilkka Meriläinen exchange experience at the University of Washington
On a student exchange to the U.S., Ilkka Meriläinen experienced life in the bustling city of Seattle, explored the surrounding green spaces, and learned about local Indigenous groups.
I completed my north2north exchange studies at the University of Washington (UW) in Seattle, in the northwest corner of the United States. My exchange lasted from late March to mid-June of 2025. I chose this destination because I was interested in the Pacific Northwest region based on its beautiful nature but also wanted to experience living in a large city like Seattle, with 780,000 people living in the city and over 4 million in the metropolitan area. As one of the fastest-growing cities in North America, Seattle feels progressive with its well-functioning public transit system and high concentration of technology companies. Culturally, Seattle is diverse, with residents of Asian, African, and northern European descent, as well as a significant Indigenous population. Seattle also has rich musical history.
UW is a large public research university with over 50,000 students. The campus area was always full of life, with multiple cafeterias, excellent study spaces, and frequent events such as night markets and resource fairs. The campus itself is beautiful, combining historical and modern architecture and featuring landmarks like Drumheller Fountain and Suzzallo Library. Its close proximity to student housing and “The Ave,” with its shops, cafes, and restaurants, made the whole area great for student life.
Studying there felt quite different compared to Tampere University, my home university in Finland. Attendance was generally required and essential for learning, which made my schedule more structured and made it easier to get to know my classmates. There was less group work and more emphasis on exams than I am used to in my business studies, although this may have varied by course. Professors were highly knowledgeable and passionate, and local students were very active in class. One of the highlights of my exchange was participating in the Unite UW program, which is a seven week cultural exchange program for local, international, and exchange students. It featured a variety of fun events and activities, including a weekend cottage retreat. It was an excellent way to meet new people from all around the world. During the program, I learned a lot about many different countries and cultures and made several new friends that I also spent time with outside the program. I also joined a few hikes through a student hiking club, which was a great way to experience the stunning nature of the area. For example, we hiked on Mt. Rainier, the over 4-km-high landmark visible from
almost anywhere in Seattle.
Beyond campus, there is a lot to see and do in Seattle. I visited many museums (many are free on certain days), took ferries across the bay (included in the UW public transit pass), and attended numerous events organized in the city. Traveling a bit farther is also easy, as you can take a two hour bus ride to Vancouver, Canada, or a train to Portland, Oregon. Culturally, I was especially interested in Indigenous history of the region. Seattle is located on the ancestral lands of the Duwamish and Suquamish peoples, and the city is named after their leader, Chief Seattle. Their culture is evident throughout the area in local names, art, and crafts. One of the most memorable moments of my exchange was a conversation with a Native American shop owner about the history of Indigenous people in the area and the similarities between them and the Sámi people in Finland.
Overall, studying at UW in Seattle was an incredible experience. Despite being in the U.S., the city felt surprisingly familiar for a Finnish student, perhaps due to its modern lifestyle, climate, and forested nature. The cultural insights I gained during the exchange will undoubtedly be valuable in the future. I would highly recommend UW to any student considering an exchange in North America