Interestingly, a survey was recently conducted by University Living, a global student housing platform, which revealed that 70 per cent of Undergraduate students who hail from India choose ensuite accommodation when they go abroad. Another survey was conducted by UniAcco, a student housing platform, which revealed that ensuite apartments are preferred by nearly 50.2 per cent of Indian students. These ensuite apartments consist of typically a kitchen, living area, and bathroom. This will allow students to cook their own meals and live independently.
Studying abroad is a tough experience even though it can be exciting. This toughness increases especially when your accommodation is shared with someone else. The number of Indians enrolled in foreign universities increased from 2021 to 2022 from 4.44 lakh to 7.5 lakhs respectively, according to data provided by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Education. Thus, the number of Indian nationals who have been heading abroad post Covid has been increasing.
This increase in the number of students going abroad also indicates that the demand in foreign countries for student accommodation has gone up. Accommodation for International students usually comes in different options which include bathrooms, studio apartments, shared rooms, ensuite, kitchens, and more.
Preference of the Indian Students
Interestingly, a survey was recently conducted by University Living, a global student housing platform, which revealed that 70 per cent of Undergraduate students who hail from India choose ensuite accommodation when they go abroad. Another survey was conducted by UniAcco, a student housing platform, which revealed that ensuite apartments are preferred by nearly 50.2 per cent of Indian students. These ensuite apartments consist of typically a kitchen, living area, and bathroom. This will allow students to cook their own meals and live independently.
This choice of accommodation offers the most cost-effective living experience which is hassle-free. One of the students from Coventry University, UK stated that he stays in a single room with an attached washroom (ensuite). However, the kitchen is being shared by six people. Moreover, the proximity to the university campus is also his reason for choosing an ensuite accommodation in addition to the cost.
The apartment in which he lives is in the heart of the Coventry city center. It has all the facilities nearby. Moreover, the accommodation was newly started. On a walk, the university is just six minutes away from the place. However, it costs me around £ 700 per month. This is similar to the cost of shared rooms. He stated that his accommodation has several Indian students along with other students and it is a very friendly environment.
Another student from the UK, who stayed in the University of Lincoln Courts before the pandemic struck, which is the university accommodation ensuite, stated that though it was more expensive than the shared rooms, she chose a single room.
She stated that she doesn’t come from a rich family and was on an education loan. However, she chose to live in an ensuite room. In this ensuite room, the kitchen was shared by four people. The room that she stays in is called a ‘box room’. Moreover, the washroom was even smaller. However, she chose that space because she was sure to have a place for herself after a tiring day which would give her peace.
Also, it was stated that living alone in an ensuite accommodation is better because it teaches independence to teenagers. Going abroad and living in an ensuite apartment helps you learn and adapt to the situation. Living alone gives you personal space. However, living with someone else will provide you with a distraction in some or the other way. Living alone is more expensive. However, it helps you explore many things on your own. This will also help you gain self-confidence.
Among Indian students, ensuite has been more popular among Indian students. Only 20 per cent of Indian students choose shared spaces. However, as suggested by the survey of University Living, the remaining 10 per cent opt for studio apartments. A student who is pursuing a Computer Science degree currently from Dartmouth College is living in a two-room double. He stays with both roommates having one room.
He stated that his experience of sharing a room with others has been positive until now. As it is nice to have someone in the room, he stated that he likes it a lot. However, some privacy has been maintained. However, he clarified that a shared accommodation was automatically allotted to him by the university and it was not his personal choice.
One of the other students from Delhi who is pursuing MSc Data Science from the University of Sussex stated that not all students are unhappy with their shared accommodation. He stated that a shared accommodation has provided him with a good experience for him until now. He is sharing an accommodation with 11 students and five students share two washrooms.
The reason behind him choosing a shared accommodation is because it is closer to the university. Moreover, his shared accommodation has cost him less than the cost of ensuite accommodation. Moreover, his accommodation is managed by the university. Therefore, he is given access to several facilities such as 24/7 access to the student center, access to the computer center along with supercomputers, access to the library, gym/sports courts, common areas in school buildings such as music room, game/TV rooms, medical facilities, etc.
It was stated by students living in shared accommodation that living alone gives them more time to study. However, they also emphasized the fact that living with someone helps them feel less homesick. One of the students sharing a room at Humber College stated that she preferred to live in a shared accommodation as at the end of the day when she comes back, she has someone to talk with.
Moreover, sharing an accommodation with multiple people also poses a few challenges. This challenge is especially faced if someone does not keep the common areas organized. Also, it is difficult when the flat-mates borrow stuff from your supplies.
However, he stated that, despite all of this, he prefers to always live in a shared accommodation. This is because a social life and friends with whom you can share your thoughts and discuss ideas are required being in a foreign country. Moreover, through dialogue, any issues which the residents can be resolved. Issues relating to unclean common areas and frequent parties arose among us.
Thus, we organized a meeting and discussed the problems in a coordinated manner, and came up with better solutions. Also, this served as a great learning activity teaching everyone to handle conflicts in a better fashion. Moreover, it was shown in that survey that there has been a 60 per cent surge in accommodation requirements as compared to 2021. The major reason behind this is the ongoing housing crisis along with the subpar student experiences with most accommodations. Also, other challenges such as reduced viability of the project, capital arrangements and inflationary effects are being experienced.
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