Are you getting ready for a new term and trying to figure out if you should live alone or with other students? Picking the right student accommodation is a big part of your journey when studying abroad. It's where you'll be living for the next 4-5 years, so it should really match what you need and your personality. You can read our blog "Why Students Care About Room Types" to understand why this choice is so important. You might think living alone is the safest bet because you're worried about sharing space with strangers. But actually, choosing to share a flat with fellow students could end up being one of the smartest choices you ever make.
Top 10 benefits of living in a shared accommodation
Here are the top benefits of shared living, making it a preferable choice for international students:
1. Benefits of Shared Living: It offers an economical solution.
The benefits of shared accommodation are quite significant. If you're a student studying abroad, you know how expensive it can be. But living in a shared flat can help you save a lot of money. Private apartments are usually more expensive than shared ones, and when you share the costs with your flatmate(s), it becomes even more affordable. It's not just the rent that's cheaper; you'll also spend less on things like utilities and groceries since you'll be splitting those expenses, too. This means you can set aside some money for unexpected situations or things you want to buy. Plus, your parents will be glad you're not asking them for extra money all the time!
2. Benefits of Shared Living: It fosters the growth of your social circle.
Experience the benefits of shared accommodation when moving to a new country. Instead of feeling like a stranger, living in a shared flat can make you feel at home. Your flatmate(s), especially if they're around your age, can become lifelong friends. They'll likely be the first people you meet and your initial friends. Whether your flatmate is local or international, they can serve as a tour guide or an adventure buddy to help you explore your new city. Together, you can discover your favorite hangout spots and even find the best pizza place. It's exciting not knowing what kind of flatmate you'll have; they could fall into one of our 6 Types of Roommates You'll Meet in College blog. You might even meet someone who completely changes your perspective. For instance, if you're shy, your flatmate could help boost your confidence and encourage you to be more adventurous. Plus, through your flatmate(s), you'll meet more students and expand your social circle. So, get ready to socialize and make the most of shared accommodation!
3. Benefits of Shared Living: You glimpse the broader world.
When you are studying overseas, you won't have your family and antique friends round. Instead, you'll stay with new classmates. This can be in reality suitable for you. You'll get to study extra approximately yourself and who you are. You'll meet college students who come from special places and feature unique thoughts. This will assist you see yourself without the strain of your own family or society. You'll figure out what you want and don't like, and you may start to experience new things. Living with different students will also teach you essential social skills like being an affected person and know-how. These abilities could be tremendously useful whilst you begin working after you finish faculty. So, residing with new buddies has lots of benefits!.
4. Benefits of Shared Living: You deepen your self-awareness and understanding of others
When you study abroad, you must leave behind your friends and family and your familiar environment. The benefits of living together with new classmates are numerous. It offers the chance for independent self-discovery. You have encounters with people from other backgrounds and self-education. You'll learn your preferences and perhaps pick up some new hobbies. Living with others also helps in the development of crucial social abilities like tolerance, patience, and compassion. Which are even more important when you start working after college. These are a few advantages of living in communal housing.
5. Benefits of Shared Living: You establish a second home
Being far from family and friends can be tough, but living in a shared student room brings some awesome perks. You'll have a buddy to chat with whenever you want. If you're feeling homesick, your roommates can become like a second family. Talking to them after a tough day or having them cheer you up when you're sad can make your mind feel better and help with your changing moods. If you're having trouble with a school subject, a roommate might be really good at it. They can help you with writing your essays, projects and so much more! You could even throw parties or have brunch together, or just relax in your pajamas watching movies and munching popcorn. No matter what issues or difficulties come up, you'll always have someone to lean on. This support system is unique and will help you as you navigate your life in a new city.
6. Benefits of Shared Living: Embracing self-reliance
If you really want the freedom of living away from home, shared housing is a great way to start being independent. Going from living with your family to having your own place can feel scary, but sharing accommodation is a good middle ground. You'll still have roommates, but you won't have all the rules that you would if you were at your parents' house.
7. Benefits of Shared Living: Develop skills in adapting to various changes
Your roommate can play a huge part in helping you develop as a more bendy individual. Living together teaches you that troubles will come up, and the nice way to have a non-violent existence is via locating solutions that paintings for everyone. This enables you to certainly be okay with others' differences and evaluations and comprehend that the arena does not just revolve around one person. So, adapting to your surroundings is prime to living in peace.
Learning to adapt is a perk of sharing a room, and it is not pretty much commercial enterprise stuff. It's an ability that facilitates your lifestyle. Flexibility makes matters smoother. You'll learn how to persevere and move ahead, even if things get difficult. You'll end up greater disciplined, open-minded, and high-quality. Most importantly, you won't experience like existence is just occurring to you – you may recognize approaches to make matters better. The faster we embody change, the higher, due to the fact existence doesn't stay the same forever!
8. Benefits of Shared Living: Get Help With Your Studies
Having a roommate can really help with your schoolwork too. If you're in the same class, you can support each other with tough subjects, share books, or even study for tests together. Studying with someone can make you understand things better and learn more efficiently. This will definitely help you get better Grades! Your roommate can also be the person who reads your essays, helps you fix mistakes, gives you new ideas and offers honest feedback. Having a study buddy is way better than having none, don't you think?
9. Benefits of Shared Living: Foster deep connections with individuals.
As humans, we naturally want to connect with others, and this brings many positive changes to our lives. Nowadays, our fast-paced lives and technology make it hard to build strong social relationships, which are really important. Connecting with people can boost our creativity, help us bounce back from challenges, lower our stress, and even make us live longer. When you're living in a foreign country, it can be even tougher to make friends. Students often end up staying isolated and mostly talk to friends from their home country online, not really getting to know the people around them.
That's why choosing to share a twin bedroom can be a way to push yourself to connect. When you're sharing a space, you'll likely see your roommate every day. This helps both of you become more comfortable and become close friends quickly. The more connected we are to people, the happier and more content we tend to be with our lives. The perks of sharing a bedroom can turn a regular experience abroad into something really special.
10. Benefits of Shared Living: Expand your social circle significantly.
Sharing a bedroom comes with a fantastic perk: you get to meet new people. Just think about it – your new roommate will be your first close friend on the Emerald Island. Because you'll become friends right away, you'll have an easier time making more friends. They'll have their own group of friends, and those friends can become your friends, too. You might even find yourself hanging out with friends of friends, and friends of friends of friends!
And if your roommate is from a different country, that's even better! You might end up like me, making lifelong friends from all around the world in a really short time. Ultimately, the choice of where to live while you're a student depends on what you like and who you are. You can also check out our blog for advice on how to make the right choice. To wrap it up, seriously thinking about living in shared student accommodation, at least for your first term or year abroad, is an opportunity you won't want to miss!