There are many options when it comes to accommodation in the States. However, many International Students choose to live on campus for the convenience and security during there first year at university. Our Editor asked Kanami Shimizu, an international student from Japan who is studying Psychology at Gwynedd Mercy College in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, about her experiences in living on campus in the States.

How did you find out about the accommodation on your campus?
When I originally came to the states to study I chose to study an ESL program at Gwynedd Mercy College. During this time I was able to find out information about the dormitory’s here. They seemed very reasonable so I decided to ‘live in’. Once you have been accepted into a university they should send you information about accommodation options.

When you arrived, what was your room like?
Gwynedd Mercy has recently replaced its dormitory’s with bigger rooms. However, when I arrived and stayed in the older ‘smaller’ dormitories they seemed very nice. Compared to my college in Japan, the rooms were a little wider and they had a big closet, which gave me all the storage space I needed. There was also a simple bunk bed made out of wood, which was nice. When you first arrive your room can seem a little bare, however with a few posters and personal touches it can soon become quite homely!

What would you recommend students to bring with them - from personal to useful?
Apart from the obvious things like your own bedding, posters personal items and your own basic kitchen equipment for those late night snacks, I would recommend you to buy a TV and a VCR because I have found that sometimes I really want to see my own country’s films. Also, watching TV helps international student to improve their English and also their listening skills. However, if the international student finds it difficult to understand what is being said, on some TV’s you can choose a program that shows the sentences of what the person is saying. This also helps my reading skills.

What are the facilities like?
They are very good. You have everything that you could possibly need to make your time here comfortable. Each dormitory has a lounge area with a TV and sofa. This is a place to chat with dormitory students and to make friends. There is also a small kitchen area with a microwave for snacks and the bathrooms have a bath as well as showers on offer. All these facilities, as well as your food from the canteen, are included in the price so you are not paying any extra electricity bills. The housekeeper cleans these facilities every day however, it is up to you how tidy you keep your room!

If you have any problems or any questions about your room, whom do you ask?
First of all, I will talk with RA (Residence Assistant) The RA is in charge of the floor. Usually three or four times per semester, the RA will have a ‘floor meeting’ where you can bring up any complaints and discuss them. It is the job of the RA to help you solve any problems. If the problem is personal, like with a roommate, then I will definitely talk to the RA first. However, if they cannot help me then they will usually recommend that I have a talk with the Director of Residence Life who oversees all problems for students on campus. No matter what your problem there is always someone there to help so don’t be afraid to ask!

What are the main advantages to living on campus?
This answer may change from person to person. Some people may say it helps them save money, its convenient, it’s a protected environment. For me, as well as these there are three main advantages to living on campus

1. TIME – if I want to take a nap I can easily go back to my room and sleep. I can also sleep ten minutes before my class where as if I lived off-campus I would have to commute and have to get up a lot earlier
   
2. EXCHANGE (Class info) – If I am absent at my class I can ask my classmates who live in my dormitory for any work that I may have missed. Also if there is a test coming up we can exchange information and revise together.
   
3. FRIENDS – the dormitories are so friendly, I find it really easy to make friends.

What are the main disadvantages to living on campus?
It really depends on what sort of things you like. Sometimes it can be very noisy until midnight and also there can be a lack of privacy. I share a room and this can be the case for many students. If you want to have some time on your own without your roommate then it can be hard.

What is your accommodation plans for next year?
I think I will stay on campus because the advantages far out way the disadvantages. Not only is it cheaper but also ‘living in’ buys me time to do the things I want.

Would you recommend other international Students to live on campus?
It is very much a personal choice. If the international student wants to have lots of American friends and to save money then I recommend living on campus. However, if the student would miss there own food then I would recommend them to live in an apartment since we cannot cook in our dormitory.

What will you miss about living on campus?
The people I have met and also the flexibility with time that on campus accommodation can give me, which I really like!