Join three SPU students as they explore the great food, quirky atmosphere, and incredible sights of Seattle's Fremont neighborhood — just a walk across the canal from the Seattle Pacific campus.
After graduating from Seattle Pacific University this spring, accounting major Angela Tse landed a job as a financial analyst for MUFG Union Bank in her home state of California.
But before she moved away, Angela — the 2017–18 president of SPU’s Beta Alpha Psi accounting club — met up with fellow accounting students Emma Haney and Andrew Ivaldi. Both are seniors, and Ivaldi is club president for the 2018–19 school year.
Joined by SPU photographer Chris Yang ’18, Angela, Andrew, and Emma took a 15-minute walk along the Lake Washington Ship Canal to Fremont. Known for artsy shops and offbeat culture, this quirky neighborhood is now also home to Seattle tech companies including Google, Adobe, and Tableau.
Fainting Goat gelato
Fainting Goat is a local family-run gelato shop with flavors such as Earl Grey, Nutella, and espresso. The slow-churned Italian ice cream is richer and creamier than traditional ice cream. If you’re dairy-free or vegan, they also have rotating sorbetto flavors. Andrew ordered a triple scoop with pistachio, strawberry, and chocolate.
Milstead & Co
Fremont is filled with cafes and coffee shops that are great for studying, especially if you want to study off campus but don’t have a car. Milstead & Co. has a variety of pour-over and cold brew coffees, traditional lattes, and other espresso drinks, tea, and lemonade.
“Whenever I visit a new coffee shop, I always get an americano,” Andrew said. Because the drink is just espresso and hot water, it’s easier to taste the flavor of the coffee than with something sweeter, like a mocha.
“The espresso blend of the day was an Ethiopian apricot roast,” he said. “On the second sip, I could actually taste the apricot, so I was impressed.” Emma ordered an iced almond milk latte.
Angela enjoyed the burnt sugar lemonade.
Gas Works Park
From Milstead, it’s a short walk to Gas Works Park, a public park built on a former Seattle Gas Light Company plant.
The park overlooks Lake Union, with a full view of the Seattle skyline from the top of Gas Works’ hill. In the summer, you’ll often find families flying kites there. When it snows in the winter, Emma loves to get together with friends and go sledding down the hill.
Angela often went on runs from SPU to Gas Works, because of the great view of the Seattle skyline at the end. “The skyline is so beautiful,” she said. “It’s so quiet and peaceful.”
You can get to Gas Works from SPU by walking — or running — along the stretch of the Burke Gilman Trail the runs along the canal.
What is Beta Alpha Psi?
BAP is one of SPU’s student-run clubs. They meet weekly for an hour to talk about accounting jobs, internships, and career planning. Last year, Angela helped bring speakers to campus every week to share about their careers. Last year’s speakers came from the public and private sector, including CPA firm Peterson Sullivan, Costco, Puget Sound Energy, National CASA, Moss Adams, and the U.S. Department of Health and Health Services.
“They want to share their experiences with students and answer questions to help students discover what they may be passionate about, and they also seek quality prospects to offer internships and jobs,” Andrew said.
Angela’s advice? Don’t overlook all the resources the club has available. “Get involved. Bring a friend. It’s a great way to prepare yourself.”
