Going abroad is daunting. A new place with so many new faces. This semester, I travelled alone, not really knowing anyone else studying abroad at the University of Edinburgh before I got here. I was in some contact with another Northeastern student, Ali (who I am great friends with now), but unlike her, I hadn’t applied alongside a friend. I was doing this alone and of course I was nervous!
The biggest issue most students have going away to school (whether it be for the first time at a home university, or abroad, like me) is living with complete strangers. I was randomly put into housing here in Edinburgh with four people, all of whom I spoke with for the first time when I first met them in our flat. I wasn’t given the option to select my flatmates and I didn’t know who they were until move-in, as data privacy laws prevent the university from sharing that information. I wasn’t even able to introduce myself to them prior. This did make me slightly nervous- I had absolutely no idea who would show up behind the front door on the first day of move-in. But in the end, I lucked out. Now I have four wonderful friends!
My housing experience here abroad wasn’t entirely dissimilar to when I first arrived at Northeastern two years ago. I let my fate fall into the hands of Northeastern University Housing and Residential Life when I ticked the box to have random roommates. I’m no stranger to the odd situation that is university living. Thankfully, I have my own room here in my flat. It’s quite the change from my freshman year triple! Having our own individual rooms in the flat definitely makes it much easier to live together. I do believe it is important for people to have their own private spaces. Sometimes we need quiet or to just be alone!
My flatmates have been absolutely amazing since I’ve met them. I believe the easiest way to make the most of a study abroad is making your living situation comfortable. While you don’t have to love your roommate or flatmates, I think it is definitely a bonus if you do! They’re built in connections for your social network. I highly recommend spending quality time with the people you will be living with for a single semester, or possibly two. In our first week together, my flat decided to have a “family dinner”. What’s a better way to bond than with food? Putting effort into new relationships can be taxing, but simple things like dinners once a week are low maintenance but highly effective. I’ve also watched some television shows with a few of my flatmates. It’s been loads of fun!
We decided to continue our weekly dinners as a flat. We’ve just finished up our third week of classes. Our other two family meals have been chili and quesadillas, and then macaroni and cheese. My two British flatmates had never tried chili or quesadillas. Us Americans (the other three of us) were shocked. There’s nothing more comforting than carbs and cheese, which they agreed with. The quesadillas, as the chili, were a success. We made macaroni and cheese this past week, which was the perfect comfort food for a cool, rainy night. It was nice to spend time away from class and our schoolwork. It’s not just about eating the food, but the process of making it. We all chip in to help and use this time to catch up on our day and week. It reminds me of the family dinners I used to do in Davenport with my friends all last year at Northeastern. I believe this week’s meal is pasta with vodka sauce, I can’t wait!
Food is not the only thing that makes a house a home. In my flat, we all take the time to utilize our shared spaces. We don’t simply hole up in our rooms all day. When someone needs a change of scenery, they might wander into the common room to do work. Slowly but surely, more people join and soon we find ourselves all “hanging out” even if it’s just doing homework! Use common spaces, whether this be inside your flat, or in your building. My building doesn’t have its own common room, but my friends’ building does. I wish I had one, just so I could get to know more of my neighbors! The only times I really see them are in the stairwells on our ways to and from the flat building.
I’ve also learned a lot from my flatmates. We all find ourselves at the same university, but have had completely different paths of getting here. It has also been amazing to hear about other coursework here in Edinburgh. My one flatmate, Cami, is a first year medical student. She’s only had two weeks of classes, but has already come back with stories of seeing actual bodies in the mortuary. As a history major, it’s crazy to compare my experience with hers. My flat consists of history, medical, engineering, philosophy, and English students.
If you are considering studying abroad, I completely recommend staying in your future university’s accommodation. Because a semester abroad isn’t that long, starting with a foundation where you can meet new people outside of the classroom is crucial. While I am in halls with first year students (along with some study abroad), it is much easier to stay on-campus. Figuring out how to rent abroad is just an added stressor. Most accommodation here at the University of Edinburgh is actually very nice- I have my own room in a self-catered flat, and it’s actually quite affordable. Do your research, because it is possible to find a place to live abroad outside of your possible university. But know that schools really lend a hand to visiting students. You want to enjoy your time abroad to the fullest extent, and the best way to start is through making your living situation comfortable.
