Student residence is a world unto itself. If you’re like me and had never lived in a residence hall before you went abroad, it can be both terrifying and exciting. I’m only in my second year of University, but during my first year I lived in an apartment with a secondary school friend. That meant, when I was moving to the UK, not only was the country a new world to me, but adjusting to student residence life would also pose a challenge. So many questions will run through your head before you get to your room. Will I like my house/room mates? What if it doesn’t feel like home? How will I adjust to life in residence? It can be overwhelming – but take a deep breath because it will all be okay.
The first step to a happy residence life is to get to know people! It’s fairly easy when you all have just moved into a brand new place with no connections to hold onto. You almost scramble to make friends and have those human connections around you. It may push you way out of your comfort zone to approach people and start conversation, but trust me it’s for your benefit. Of course there is no harm in finding new friends later in your exchange program if you don’t end up getting along. However, it is nice to know the people you’re going to be living with for the semester or the year. I was so scared that I would not get along with my roommate, whom I would be living with for one year, but on day one we discovered we had TONS in common and knew it would be a-okay. You just need to talk to people and try to find some sort, any sort, of common ground.
My home for now
Next, make sure you settle yourself in. I had to spend the first 5 days living out of my suitcase because of a room mix up; it wasn’t that great as it felt too much like vacation. It’s important to make yourself feel at home. Remember that this is your new home, so make it that way. Before I left I printed off a bunch of pictures of family, friends, animals to be put on my pin board. I also brought my favourite calendar. It helped me feel closer to home while making me feel less on vacation and more in a permanent living space. If you’re not a picture person, bring that favourite pillow, stuffed animal, poster, a few CD’s or DVD’s. Bring whatever it is that makes your place at home feels like yours. Over the past two months, my board has slowly gained some postcards, cards from home etc. It makes it feel a bit more “mine” and less “residence room”.
So, just make sure you get yourself out there making connections and friends in your residence and on campus. Settle yourself into your room ASAP. The more “like home” you make your room seem, the more it will start to actually feel like it. Living in a residence abroad will always be a new experience so go ahead and enjoy it the best you can! And remember if you’re having troubles there’s always someone (i.e., international officer, warden) to talk to and help you get sorted. Thanks for reading!