From Laundry Rooms to Lifelong Bonds
When I moved from Norway to the UK to study, I chose to live in student accommodation. At 20 years old, I was slightly older than many of the first-year students, and I wasn’t sure how it would feel to live with people who were mostly 18 or 19. But very quickly, I realized that age doesn’t matter as much as I thought—especially when you're all in the same situation, trying to find your place in a new environment.
Age and Cultural Differences – A Surprising Benefit
Coming from Norway, where many people take a gap year or two before university, I felt slightly out of sync at first. But to my surprise, the cultural differences actually helped me connect more easily. Most British students were open, welcoming, and curious about where I came from. And while I was technically older than many of them, that difference quickly faded away in daily life.
In fact, I found it easier than expected to bond with younger students, simply because we were all figuring things out together. Living in the same building, sharing new experiences, and navigating challenges like homesickness or student budgeting made us feel equal, no matter our age.
A Built-In Social Life
One of the biggest advantages of student accommodation is how you’re almost “forced” to be social—in the best possible way. It might sound intimidating at first, especially when you're in a new country, but it actually makes it much easier to form friendships. Everyone is new, everyone wants to connect, and the shared spaces naturally bring people together.
This atmosphere helped me quickly build a safe and supportive network of friends, and gave me a sense of belonging from the very beginning. Knowing that the people I trusted were just a few steps away gave me a kind of comfort that I really needed in that first year.
How I Met My Boyfriend… Thanks to a Laundry Machine
One of the most unexpected and special moments happened during my very first week at university. I was struggling to figure out how the communal laundry machine worked (as many students do), and so was a fellow student standing next to me. We started talking, trying to help each other out, and ended up laughing about how unprepared we were for something as simple as washing clothes.
That moment turned into a conversation, which turned into a friendship—and now, two years later, he’s my boyfriend. We met purely by chance, in the most ordinary setting, but it’s a perfect example of how student accommodation creates opportunities for connection in everyday situations.
Community and Closeness
What makes student accommodation so unique is how everyone lives so close together. Whether it’s your flatmates or people just down the hall, it’s easy to plan spontaneous dinners, movie nights, or study sessions. You don’t have to arrange big plans or travel far—your social life is just a few doors away.
Because of this setup, social activities become more frequent and more natural. Some of my favorite memories were made in the shared kitchen, sitting around chatting late into the night about everything and nothing.
Flatmates Who Became Lifelong Friends
One of the most meaningful parts of living in student accommodation has been the relationships I built with my flatmates. At first, we were just a group of strangers figuring out how to live together. But soon, we became like a small family—celebrating birthdays, helping each other through homesickness and exams, and sharing some truly unforgettable moments.
Some of these flatmates have become lifelong friends—people I know I’ll stay in touch with long after university. Living together created a bond that’s hard to replicate anywhere else.
Final Thoughts
Moving to the UK and living in student accommodation was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. It helped me settle into a new country, meet people I wouldn’t have crossed paths with otherwise, and build lasting relationships—including my boyfriend.
The experience gave me confidence, independence, and a sense of community. So if you’re a student moving abroad and wondering whether student accommodation is right for you, I can honestly say: yes, it is. You never know who you might meet—or where a broken laundry machine might lead you.
- Thea