In all honesty, I had no clue what to expect from what would be my home for the next two years.
Western Washington University is nestled in the lush greenery of Bellingham, Washington. But when I first applied in 2013 to transfer from Community Colleges of Spokane, I didn’t even know on which side of the Cascades I should look to find it on a map.
“I had no clue what to expect from what would be my home for the next two years.”
A quick Google search told me it was about an hour north of Seattle, and maybe 30 minutes from the Canadian border. A population of about 80,000 makes up The City of Subdued Excitement—its official nickname.
Okay, that’s a start.
But since becoming a student here, more specifically, a journalism student who often has to chase stories all around the city, I’ve come to get to know Bellingham in a much deeper way.
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It’s been my job on several occasions to cover these events.
First and foremost, Bellinghamsters (yes, that’s actually what we’re called) are absolutely crazy about craft beer. Five local breweries act as almost constant focal points for the 21-and-over crowd at Western and throughout the city.
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But even without the alcohol, the brew culture of Bellingham is always alive. Fundraisers and other events often take place at one of the city’s brew pubs, and it’s been my job on several occasions to cover those events.
“Plus, I’ve never known so many vegetarians and vegans.”
But there’s a serious side to Bellingham, especially when it comes to environmental sustainability. Most Bellingham groceries don’t sell plastic bags and charge a $0.05 fee for paper, encouraging shoppers to bring their own reusable bags. An abundance of organic and local markets also promote healthy food and product consumption.
Plus, I’ve never known so many vegetarians and vegans.
There is also no denying the inescapable beauty of this region. Western Washington has some of the lushest greenery I’ve ever seen, and there’s no beating the views of Bellingham Bay.
“I would politely scoff and tell them that was absolute crap.”
There is also no denying the inescapable beauty of this region.
Being born and raised in Spokane, Washington, I often heard comments about what a desert eastern Washington is. I would politely scoff and tell them that was absolute crap. But after living on the west side for almost two years now, I’ve come to realize there’s some truth to it. Eastern Washington has so much beauty.
Even when you’re trudging around in the woods, lost while you’re trying to cover a mountain bike race, the towering trees and clear, blue sky can take your breath away.
“Eastern Washington has so much beauty.”
Or when you’re freezing your butt off on a dingy in the middle of the bay in October, there’s something magical about the few strands of sunlight that escape to bounce along the water.
Some of the friendliest, most passionate people I’ve ever met live in this city, and I meet more and more of them every day.
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Be passionate. Dream big. Create even bigger. And, above all, make every day matter.
On one of those rare days when the sun’s out and the wind isn’t threatening to push me over, I like to wander through the streets of downtown. Past the cafes, creperies and comic book stores I think about all this city has taught me.
“They’re all things I feel I’ve come to understand just a little bit better during my time at Western.”
Be passionate. Dream big. Create even bigger. And, above all, make every day matter.
I’ve gotten to know myself just as much as I’ve gotten to know Bellingham. What motivates me, what excites me, what scares me, they’re all things I feel I’ve come to understand just a little bit better during my time at Western.
And while I often imagine all the unknown places a career in journalism may eventually take me, a part of my heart will always live in the The City of Subdued Excitement.
