You have to know that living in Aberdeen is living in one of the most expensive cities in the UK, so for students, it is usually very convenient to live with roommates in a shared apartment. This way, they can save on housing rent and monthly utility bills.
Advantages and disadvantages of sharing a flat in Aberdeen
These are some of the pros and cons of living in a shared flat in the Scottish city:
Advantages of sharing a flat in Aberdeen
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You can choose a spare room in nearby neighbourhoods of the institution you are going to, such as Old Aberdeen, Kittybrewster and Pittodrie neighbourhoods if you are going to the University of Aberdeen or Garthdee, Broomhill and Ferryhill neighbourhoods if you are going to Robert Gordon University.
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You have the option to choose between rooms that are part of private flats and student residences. These offer facilities that may include a gym, recreation room, laundry, etc.
Disadvantages of sharing a flat in Aberdeen
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Finding accommodation with all the characteristics you are looking for can be somewhat complicated due to the high demand, but you will surely find the ideal one for you if you start the search well in advance and do it on Erasmus Play.
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The only space of your own will be your room, so make sure you make it comfortable and decorate it however it makes you feel at home.
Apps for your international exchange programme in Aberdeen
One of the ways to make your international stay in Aberdeen the best possible is to use the Apps for students, where you will find a lot of useful information about the university and get around the city. For example, many young people from previous years say that life in the city is not cheap, therefore you have to be aware of the abundant discounts available to students.
How to meet people in Aberdeen?
The following are some of the ways you can meet other international students in this British city:
Student associations in Aberdeen
One of the associations for international students is the ESN Aberdeen. With it, you will be able to join a large number of activities and events in which you can meet other young people while having fun. You can also be part of one of the more than 100 clubs and associations that are on campus. Among them, there are different sports, nationalities, religions, and art, among others.
Facebook groups for international students in Aberdeen
There are several Erasmus Facebook groups that you can join, but the most active one is ESN Aberdeen. If you join this group, you will be able to access the calendar of activities and sign up to meet people in this city. Surely you will find an event that you will enjoy participating in, such as picnics in a park, pub quizzes, affordable trips, international dinners, and language exchanges, among others.
WhatsApp groups for international students in Aberdeen
You will find several WhatsApp groups that you can join to be in more direct contact with other students in the Scottish city. For example, those of the associations. In the case of ESN Aberdeen, they usually make a group for each semester of the year, so it will be easier for you to connect with young people who will be there at the same time as you.
Tips for living in a shared apartment in Aberdeen
Keep in mind these recommendations for living in shared flats in this Scottish city:
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If one of your roommates is Scottish and you don't understand them well when they speak at first, don't worry. The Scots tend to mix English with Scottish and have a thick accent, but you will surely get used to their way of speaking in a short time.
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It is recommendable to explore Aberdeen and the surrounding area, such as travelling to Edinburgh, Dundee, Glasgow and nearby National Parks, with the savings you get from sharing a flat.