Amya Castellanos, Healthcare in British Context Summer 2023
Living with six other roommates was one of the hardest but most fun experiences I have had yet in my college career. Despite all the chaos, noise, and clutter, bonding with many unique individuals was enjoyable. Every day, despite my mood or mindset, I constantly had someone to talk to. Someone at the apartment was always there to put a smile on my face and make me laugh. At first, I thought my apartment was relatively small due to how many roommates but after living in it for some time, I began to appreciate the size. Having one living space, kitchen, and only 2.5 bathrooms teaches you to be a better roommate, manage your time, gain more responsibility, and adapt better time management skills. For instance, I had to learn how to get ready faster before school to ensure everyone else had the opportunity to use the bathroom long enough. I also had to be more mindful of the time I use in the kitchen or living room. I had to practice making dinners faster to give everyone a chance to cook their meals. While it could be challenging at times, it has prepared me for the future of having multiple roommates again. During my stay in London, I encountered minor challenges with my living situation.
One challenge was no central AC during the hottest months of summer. Going to bed hot and uncomfortable was challenging as I could not sleep most nights. To help resolve this issue, my roommates and I purchased fans for our rooms which did help the temperature. Another challenge was getting our stove to work, as we couldn’t program the electric stove to work correctly for the first three weeks of the program. Unfortunately, we learned that our stove was broken, but luckily, CAPA could replace it quickly. Despite all the challenges, there were many things I loved about my housing in London. For instance, I liked the commute from the apartment to the local Tube and grocery store. The Tube and Sainsbury, a popular grocery store, were both around a four-minute walk which was very convenient for commuting to school and buying groceries. I also really liked the layout of my apartment as it obtained an open floor plan which was great for bonding with the roommates and entertaining day guests. Living in London was a great experience, and I am forever grateful for my stay.
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