Pullman, Washington is a very special place. It’s a small town nestled in the rolling hills of the Palouse. There’s no Target, no shopping malls, and no good nail salons. Instead, there’s 30,000 college students; The people who chose to pick up their lives and move to the charming farmlands of the Palouse to get an education. When you look at Pullman’s elementary school you can see the change Washington State University has had on little Pullman. When volunteering there, last year, I walked in and was shocked; it was the most diverse group of 7-year-olds I had ever seen. People come from all over to live and learn here.
Pullman is special because of its beautiful surroundings.
It’s very rare for a college student to be able to walk across their entire campus in just 30 minutes, especially a college of our size. Just a 15-minute drive and you’re hiking Kamiak Butte. Even five minutes from the University Recreation Center there’s the water tower which has incredible views. At WSU you can learn about farming, viticulture (making wine), and forestry. WSU is the perfect middle between being in the middle of nowhere but also being surrounded by an amazing community.
Pullman is special because everyone is young, wild, and free.
I would always joke when I went home that it was good to see old people and children. Almost everyone who lives in Pullman is 18-30. It’s a vibrant community of young people all looking to learn but also have a good time. We’re young and we want to try everything. Meeting new people is something that’s easy in Pullman. I have some crazy stories of how I met my best friends. You can meet your future roommate at Orientation, your new BFF at Walmart, or your new work-out buddy at a party. There are very few Pullman natives at WSU so you meet people from every corner of the world. Here at WSU, you can learn about places you’ve never even heard of just by talking to the girl sitting next to you in class.
Pullman is special because learning is the focus.
It’s easy to forget, but everyone comes to Pullman to learn. A college education is what we hope to get out of our time at WSU. Everyone is taking classes and doing homework. Everyone is stressed about figuring out their career, getting that internship, or planning their study abroad. You’re never alone in your problems because everyone else is a student too. At a school this large, you’d expect to sit alone in most of your classes, probably not knowing a single person. This is almost never the case. I can’t think of a single class I’ve taken in my three semesters at WSU where I didn’t have a friend. I always have someone with whom to study and complain about my mean professor.
Pullman is special because it captures your heart.
When I ask people why they chose WSU, they almost always say, “I got this feeling and then I knew.” I rarely hear them answer they came for the amazing professors, athletic teams, or internship opportunities---all things that WSU offers. It’s a feeling. Wazzu makes you feel at home. I fondly call it “the bubble,” because things happen here that don’t happen anywhere else. Pullman has its own language, trends, and spirit. It’s a place that you can’t explain to anyone. It’s somewhere I feel supported, happy, and fearless. It’s more than just a school, it’s home.
