Campus Life in London

Campus Life in London
By: Ashley Coulombe

Hello everyone I am Ashley Coulombe and I am a freshman student at Roehampton University here in London, England.

There are many differences as well as similarities to the housing and food in London. One of the biggest differences about the college here are the dorms. The dorms are essentially set up in the same manner as in the states, in that, you have room for the students and a common room. One big difference is that each student gets their own room as well as their own bathroom in most of the dorm buildings. There are a few buildings where each student has their own room, but share a bathroom with the other students living there. The floors are called “flats” and they are co-ed.

Meals are done differently here too. Instead of just a meal plan where students eat at the cafeteria you also have a shared kitchen in your flat. You are expected to do your own grocery shopping and cook for yourself. There is an Asda, which is the same as Wal-Mart and is owned by Wal-Mart. Students do a weekly trip to Asda when they have time to buy their food and other supplies. In the kitchen, each student picks a personal cupboard in which to store their own food. We also have a refrigerator and a freezer.

This set-up has its advantages and its disadvantages. In my flat we all get along well and there is very little conflict. The university expects you to be adults and conduct yourselves as such.