Why do many students prefer on-campus accommodation? 

As an international student coming to a new country, the first preference is to get safe accommodation. Also, it is the easiest of the options for securing accommodation without much hassle. But here’s the twist…! You should be lucky enough to get picked from among the several applicants. However, it is advised by the university management not to be too dependent on on-campus accommodation and to try to secure one off-campus, as the selection of on campus accommodation will be provided just a few weeks before course commencement. 

Where did I secure an accommodation, and how was my experience? 

Like every other student, I have also expressed my interest in student accommodation, and I’m not lucky enough to get one. So, I had to look for other alternatives off the campus, which is, of course, the toughest thing to do in the overall process. I was able to secure accommodation through the Facebook groups. There are a few other ways to search for accommodation, including Maynooth University Student Pad, Daft.ie, and WhatsApp groups, among others. And considering the number of fake postings, I was suggested to get it verified by someone living in Ireland. One of my friends visited the place to verify before providing the deposit.  

It was a very unusual experience staying in off-campus accommodation because I was living with a local family. At first, I was worried; would my privacy be respected? Would I ever feel at home? But eventually, I appreciated all the advantages of this arrangement. They took me in completely, and having other people around made it far easier to settle into a new country. I experienced Irish culture firsthand, tasted their homemade meals, and had the best of local information. Living with a family was different from staying in student accommodation, where you mostly live with peers. It added comfort and security in life.

Of course, it came with adjustments, such as rules around the house and balancing out individual space and being social as well as the occupier feeling at times like an outsider in a household that had its routines. All these advantages wouldn’t help a student with the comfort that the convenient local transportation provides. This allows students to stay as far as Dublin, including other locations such as Kilcock, Lucan, Leixlip, and Celbridge. 

Convenience and community of on-campus living 

On-campus accommodation indeed gives one a completely different student experience altogether, that is according to my friends. To have classes close is the biggest plus waking up too early, no long freezing cold walks or waiting for buses. Making friends is also much easier when everyone is a part of the energized student community, and attending social events shouts of cheer across the days.

There are many other perks, like getting every basic amenity, namely laundry, security, Wi-Fi, maintenance, etc., just around the corner. It relieves a lot of those who like order and structured living from the hassle of landlords, separate bills, and household chores.  The main disadvantage is because of high demand, not every student who applies can reserve a spot on campus; this makes it a rather unreliable option for many. Also, with the demand comes the cost of accommodation on campus.

Generally, international students think that on-campus accommodation would be the cheapest to get. However, staying on campus can help in a balanced moderate rental expense which isn’t too low or too high like in off-campus. 

The last say: Choosing what works best for you  

Having lived off-campus where friends have talked about living on-campus, I now know both sides of the coin. Each has its advantages and disadvantages. On-campus living suits those students who want the whole experience of being active in student life-as well as an easy stay. On the flip side, living off-campus provides greater independence, flexibility, and probably a deeper cultural experience (especially given the possibility of residing with a family). 

The best choice boils down to individual preference, finances, and availability. An excellent way of immersing oneself quickly into university life is getting an on-campus spot. Off-campus living, on the other hand, can be equally rewarding, albeit challenging at first.