Perhaps you’re about to embark on an exciting Erasmus+ or Turing Scheme trip abroad and it’s the very first time you’ll be away from family and friends for an extended period of time? If your school, college or university has organised your mobility through TravelEdventures, then we’ll make sure you’re in the best possible accommodation. That could be a shared apartment, a homestay with a host family, a dormitory with other students, a hostel, or in some cases, a hotel. In this piece, we’ll talk about what to expect if you’re staying in a dorm – which is often a superb options for students in further education.
What is a Dorm?
A dorm is a large room that accommodates anything from 4 to 8+ students at a time. There are lots of beds and a shared bathroom – and this is very usual for colleges and universities across the world. A shared room is slightly different as it usually has enough space for two people. Dorms are residences too and there are common areas, like study areas, sitting rooms, dining areas and kitchens. Everyone can use the common rooms as they wish and it’s a great way to embrace student life, meet other young people – so you’ll make friends really easily.
Generally, sharing a dorm will be cheaper than sharing a shared apartment or staying in a hotel/hostel which is why they’re the most popular option for students going abroad for the first time. Old students and mature students tend to favour sharing an apartment – and we would always recommend a dorm for students who are in the middle of their college/university course as most students may well already be used to this style of accommodation.
Let’s weigh up some of the pros and cons of living in a shared dorm while on your Erasmus+ or Turing Scheme trip abroad:
The Pros & Cons
Making Lots of Friends Vs Finding a Quiet Space!
As mentioned above, a dorm is a sociable space and you’re bound to meet people just like you, make new friends quickly and not feel as homesick as you might do living alone or with one other person. On the flip side, you may be someone who very much likes their own space – in a busy dorm, it’s hard to get some time alone.
You’ll Familiarise Yourself With The Campus Quickly
Dorms are usually on-campus, meaning they’re right where your university is, so you’ll get to know your university or college really quickly. You’ll also save money on transport – as you’ll probably spend much of your time at your university. You won’t need to travel to your university either – which cuts out the cost of taking a train or bus.
You’ll Have to Share a Bathroom
This is probably the biggest downside as some dorms mean a lot of people use the bathroom at once! While bathrooms get cleaned, after a lot of people have used them, they might not be up to your standard – and when you want a shower, your bathroom might be occupied. If this isn’t going to suit you, talk to your representative before you travel to work out if there’s any alternative accommodation that might be better suited. However, there may not be an option.
They Get Noisy
A dorm is full of students, and students like to have fun, so yours might be particularly noisy with lots going on. Lots of students love this feeling of being involved but some people like to find time to relax, study and sleep. Be prepared!
Final Thoughts
Staying in a dorm often enhances your overall experience – and they are an extremely popular accommodation choice for students. All of the TravelEdventures’ accommodation options are carefully vetted so you know you’re getting the very best possible option available. Find out more about what we can do to facilitate your school, college or university’s Erasmus+ or Turing Scheme placement abroad by clicking here to chat to our friendly team.
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