1. Create Account
  2. Login
StudyUSA
Match Me
  • Create Account
  • Login
  • School Search
  • Resources
    • All Resources
    • Articles
    • Student Voices
    • Videos
    • Magazines
    • Podcasts
  • Services
    • All Services
    • Accommodation
    • Support
    • Career
    • Financial
    • Insurance
    • Testing
    • Other
  • Chat
  • Success Stories
  • TOEFL Testing

From Student Blogger, Wendy: Seattle, Rain, Moods and Gains

From Student Blogger, Wendy: Seattle, Rain, Moods and Gains

Sep 9, 2018

I came to the U.S. from Ecuador, a country located in the equator, and Guayaquil, the best city in the coast. My school breaks were usually split between hanging out indoors with the AC on at full power or driving a bit to spend all day eating ice cream and chips by the sea before going for a swim. I loved it, and that beach is still almost paradise to me. But, all I had known my whole life was the sun and how much I wanted to get away from it, so when the time came to apply for colleges, one of the main factors in my decision was that it couldn’t be somewhere with that much sun.

Hence, Seattle: a city that is known for its rainy days.

In Ecuador, I loved the rain. I am still the kind of person that will go outside and sing and dance in the rain pretending I’m in a movie. When I’m in Ecuador, though. In Seattle the rain is cold, it’s windy, and rather than refreshing, it’s a little annoying. It’s not realrain, that’s why in terms of dataSeattle isn’t one of the cities where it rains the most, even though it has about 150 rainy days every year.

But... I loved the rain, right? Rain made me dance and sing, right?

Well, here’s the thing. Everyone knows the weather can affect your mood—the stereotypical sunny day represents happiness, while rain in a cartoon represents sadness. What I didn’t realize, though, was the extent of this fact. There’s even a term for the effects winter has on our mood, when the days are shorter and we receive less sunlight and therefore have less energy: it’s called seasonal affective disorder. Appropriately, also known as SAD.

The Winter Blues are real. For me it was especially shocking because my country has two seasons: hot and rainy, and hot and dry. But, I think that even if you have the four seasons in your home country, it can affect you because it’s not just about the weather. It’s about how the weather is another layer on top of the daily experiences that you are still trying to adapt to. It’s not just that it gets dark at 3:30pm, but that you just got out of class and it’s dark, you want to do more things to distract yourself but it feels like the day is done.

Then, what do you do?

You find ways to adapt as well. You talk to people and get help if you need to. When you come to study to the U.S., you usually come with the mindset that it’s temporary. Take this mindset as motivation to find activities and entertainment even when the weather feels like a challenge.

Maybe the rain in Seattle doesn’t make me want to go outside and dance, but this is the first time I’m in Seattle in the summer, it’s sunny, and I miss the rain. I miss inviting friends over, putting blankets in the drier for 20 minutes, and having an excuse to stay on the couch with warm blankets, tea, takeout food and movies. But I’ve also found that I love having picnics and sitting in front of windy beaches in a warm sweater.

The weather affects your mood, but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing you can do about it. Besides, it’s just a season. You might grow to love each for its own special thing. 

 

Wendy Tafur is an international student from Ecuador who just graduated from Seattle University with a double major in Creative Writing and Theatre. She’s excited to share some of the stories of things she’s learned in her time in the U.S.! 

 

 

Follow us:
Written by

Study in the USA

Get matched to the best program for you

Let us know what you're looking for so we can find the best school for you.

Get matched
Call to action background image. Decorative.

Useful Articles

Main image for the blog post titled American Experience Club — UW Huskies vs Utah Utes
American Experience Club — UW Huskies vs Utah Utes
Main image for the blog post titled Rise Up to the Challenge
Rise Up to the Challenge
Main image for the blog post titled Visiting Mount Rainier with Green River College
Visiting Mount Rainier with Green River College
Main image for the blog post titled A Day in the Life: A Bookseller and International Student at HCC
A Day in the Life: A Bookseller and International Student at HCC
Read more

Check Out These Schools

Hillsborough Community College

Hillsborough Community College

$10,000 — $15,000 Year

Bachelor Degree Undergraduate Certificate/Short Term
Contact
Evergreen Valley College

Evergreen Valley College

$5,000—$10,000 Semester

Certificate/Short Term 2yr/Community College - 2+2 Programs Undergraduate
Contact
Florida State College at Jacksonville

Florida State College at Jacksonville

$1,000—$5,000 Semester

Summer 2yr/Community College - 2+2 Programs Bachelor Degree
Contact

Related Stories

From Rice University's Intensive English Program: Meet and Greet!

Main image for the article titled From Rice University's Intensive English Program: Meet and Greet!
Meet Natsumi Sasabe from Tokyo,Japan!

Main image for the article titled Meet Natsumi Sasabe from Tokyo,Japan!
Meet Nhu from Vietnam

Main image for the article titled Meet Nhu from Vietnam
Meet Mai Goto, New Student Blogger from Japan

Main image for the article titled Meet Mai Goto, New Student Blogger from Japan

Start your U.S. adventure with Study in the USA

What's your dream? We can guide, advise, and connect you with your perfect U.S. school. We can also help you with the application process.
More about us
Partner Services

Learn About U.S. education financing, housing, and more

Partner service logo for Study-USA Healthcare can give you the certainty of protection in an uncertain world.

Study-USA Healthcare can give you the certainty of protection in an...

Get international student medical insurance for as low as $1.12 USD per day. Our plans are available to any student studying outside their home country and include coverage for Covid-19. Get your free quote and enroll today!

Read more
Partner service logo for Renters Insurance

Renters Insurance

SURE offers hassle-free renters insurance that'll protect your clothes, furniture, and even yourself from unexpected damages and injuries. The SURE team will get you set up with a free quote and the correct coverage that you need!

Read more
Partner service logo for BetterHelp

BetterHelp

BetterHelp is the world’s largest therapy service, and it’s 100% online. You get the same professionalism and quality you expect from in-office therapy, but with access to a huge network of therapists, more scheduling flexibility, and at a more affor...

Read more

Resources

Learn about American culture and education direct from our experts at Study in the USA. Read more

Achieving Your Goal
Admissions and Placement Testing
Beyond the Basics
Education System in the USA
Financing Your U.S. Education
Frequently Asked Questions
Life in the USA
Resources
Student Experiences
For students age 10-18
Study in Canada
Podcasts
Magazines
Videos
Student Voices
Ask StudyUSA.com

Subscribe to get the latest from Study in the USA

You can unsubscribe at any time.


StudyUSA
Explore

  • School Search
  • Resources
  •   Articles
  •   Student Voices
  •   Videos
  •   Magazines
  • Partner Services
  •   Accommodation
  •   Career
  •   Financial
  •   Insurance
  •   Other
  •   Support
  •   Testing
  • TOEFL Testing
  • Apply
  • Chat
Information

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Course Index
  • Featured Programs
  • Article Index
  • Create account
  • Sign in
  • For Educators & Institutions
Match Me
  • English
    English

  • Privacy & Policy
  • /
  • Terms

Study in the USA logo

© 2023 Study in the USA. All Rights Reserved.

Global Study logo
A member of the Global Study network

When you visit or interact with our sites, services or tools, we or our authorised service providers may use cookies for storing information to help provide you with a better, faster and safer experience and for marketing purposes.