ABOUT
Ishanika is originally from India and now happily settled in Seattle. She works as a social media contractor for non-profits and speaks English and Hindi. Oh, and she’s also picking up Spanish along the way!
Tell us about yourself
I’m Ishanika, hailing from India and currently soaking up the vibes in Seattle. You could say I’m living my Grey’s Anatomy dream here!
Moving to Seattle
When did you move to Seattle? Why?
I made the move to Seattle in January 2021 after tying the knot. My husband’s work brought me here, and I must say, it’s been quite the adventure!
What surprised you about life there when you first arrived?
OMG! Everything!
Seattle blew me away from day one!
Coming from a conservative background in India and hostel life, being here felt like a whole new world. The independence, the small talk culture—everything felt so fresh and different.
How to find a job in Seattle?
The job market has been quite challenging for the past two years, making it difficult for people to secure a job. However, things are getting better now.
The most effective way to land a job is through networking.
You can join Slack groups, connect with people on LinkedIn, or reach out to your existing connections. If you have a referral, that’s great, but if not, there are several websites you can use to search for jobs, such as Zip Recruiter, Indeed, Built-In, and LinkedIn.
Living in Seattle
What are the main differences between Indians and Americans?
Both are amazing people and have their unique ways of living.
One difference I found is that in India, people usually live in close-knit neighborhoods where everyone knows each other. On the other hand, Americans tend to keep to themselves and engage in small talk. One possible reason could be that in India, people have helpers for tasks like cooking, cleaning, and driving, while in the US, people primarily do everything themselves. This makes people in the US very busy, and they prefer to spend their free time relaxing with their families.
Another difference is the importance placed on education. In India, having a bachelor’s degree is considered the bare minimum, and getting a master’s degree has become increasingly important due to the high competition for jobs and college admissions. In contrast, in the US, it’s common to have only a high school diploma. Overall, many factors distinguish Indians and Americans, and these differences often stem from cultural roots. However, with the world becoming more interconnected, Indian expats with American children are adapting to the American lifestyle, and their parents are following suit.
Another difference is the importance placed on education. In India, having a bachelor’s degree is considered the bare minimum, and getting a master’s degree has become increasingly important due to the high competition for jobs and college admissions. In contrast, in the US, it’s common to have only a high school diploma. Overall, many factors distinguish Indians and Americans, and these differences often stem from cultural roots. However, with the world becoming more interconnected, Indian expats with American children are adapting to the American lifestyle, and their parents are following suit.
What are your favorite things to do in Seattle specifically?
Hiking with my husband and our adorable rescue dog, Cici is hands down my favorite thing to do here!
What are your favorite restaurants and bars in Seattle?
Final Thoughts
Can you tell me something about local culture that people might not know?
There are Little Free Libraries across neighborhoods. The concept is take a book, give a book. You can read a book and keep it back after reading it. It’s a beautiful concept of building community, inspiring readers, and expanding book access for all.
What has been the hardest aspect of living in Seattle?
The PNW region is renowned for its natural beauty, including scenic hikes, national parks, and water bodies. However, the weather in Seattle can be gloomy for more than half of the year, which can sometimes be depressing. Have you heard about the Seattle Freeze?
Also, unfortunately, it’s not very public transport friendly, with few buses and metros that don’t cover the entire city.
Are there any experiences in Seattle that you are proud of?
When I was waiting for my work permit, I decided to volunteer for non-profit organizations. It was one of the most beautiful experiences of my life. I helped around 6-7 non-profits with their social media and marketing strategies.
I would suggest people who are on an H4 visa and waiting for their work permit try volunteering. It helps you get acclimated, gain some experience, and make you a kinder person. I am proud of helping them.
Thank you so so much for your energy throughout this post and for sharing your incredible journey moving to Grey’s Anatomy land haha. All the best! Her IG here
