Here in London, I have seven other roommates that I live with. Yes, I said seven. I know that to most it seems insane to have eight people all living under the same roof, but oddly enough it works out perfectly. I have the best living situation and I wouldn’t change it for the world. So readers, how exactly have I made it this far without any issues with my roommates? Well I am about to share with you some of my secrets and hopefully those of you who plan on doing this program in the future, will find some of my tips useful. So here we go.
- Get to know your roommates.
When you first find out who you will be living with when you are studying abroad, message them over Facebook and get to know them a little bit. Trust me when I say that it will help you and ease your mind before you go abroad. Once you arrive and your program begins, I recommend having a roommate dinner and talking over the living arrangements and how you will make sure the flat that you all are sharing will be one that everyone feels comfortable in.
- Clean up after yourself.
Living in a flat with seven other people can get a bit messy. So my advice is clean up after yourself. Although it seems like something simple and easy to do, sometimes you can get busy with work and classes and you leave your mess to clean up for another time. But trust me, if you take those few extra minutes to clean up after yourself, it will not only make you happy, but also your roommates happy.
- Talk over any problems with your roommates when they occur
No one wants to hold a grudge. It’s not cute and just causes a ton of unwanted stress that you don’t need while abroad. So if you have any problems with your roommates, talk it over when they happen. That way you can fix them and continue having fun.
- Find time for yourself
Although my flat is very large and spacious, it can sometimes feel a bit cramped with so many people under one roof. So make sure you go and take sometime for yourself. It will not only help you maintain your sanity, but it will give you a chance to go on a mini adventure.
- Enjoy each other’s company
Go on adventures and outings with your roommates from time to time. Those make the best memories and the best stories to tell when you get back home. These adventures that you go on together will forever bond you all together, making your time abroad all the more special.
Well there you have it folks! I hope these tips help you out in some fashion. Until next time! Much love from London.
