Finding Accommodation, Settling in, and the reality of it

Deborah Oshidero, University of Calgary, Canada

Moving abroad for school sounded exciting in my head. I imagined setting up my own space, exploring the city, and just getting into that whole “new chapter” vibe. But honestly? The reality of it hit me way faster than I expected.  I realised the private accommodation I had arranged before arriving just wasn’t going to work.

Read more: Finding Accommodation, Settling in, and the reality of it

I had originally signed a lease for a private place off campus, this was because I applied for on-campus accommodation late and was put at 354 on the waitlist. I was optimistic thinking it would be perfect staying in a house, taking the C-train to get to UCalgary and getting a nicer room. But once orientation started, I realised pretty quickly that it was way too far from campus. The commute alone would have been a nightmare, and I knew I couldn’t juggle that on top of everything else, especially when Canada gets covered in 5ft snow! So, not even a week in, I had to do the awkward thing: break my lease. Which luckily enough my Landlord accepted (not all will be this nice so I do not recommend). Not exactly how I pictured starting out.

After that, it was pure scramble mode.  I spent a day making last-minute calls and sending emails, hoping something on campus would open up. It felt like a long shot, but I finally got a room in Aurora Hall on-campus, and honestly, I couldn’t have been more relieved. One important thing is to apply for accommodation on-campus ASAP! My university did not prioritise exchange students like some others, so it is important to be one step ahead.

Moving in, though, was… interesting. I didn’t bring much with me, so the room looked pretty empty at first—just four walls and a bed. That “fresh start” vibe quickly turned into “wow, this feels kind of bare.” Even finding the basics wasn’t as simple as I thought. For example: bedsheets. Apparently, dorm beds here are double XL, which no store nearby seemed to have. The closest I found was queen-sized sheets, so I just went with those and hoped they’d fit well enough. It’s one of those little details you don’t think about until you’re standing in a store in Canada, trying to Google mattress sizes.

But things started looking up once lectures began. The room didn’t feel as empty anymore, mostly because I wasn’t spending all day in it. Meeting people, joining in on the events, and just chatting with others really helped me settle in. That was the first time I felt like, “Okay, I can actually make this work.” And to be fair, Aurora Hall itself is pretty nice. The rooms are modern and actually kind of pretty, which definitely makes it easier to feel at home. Maybe I just lucked out with the building, but I’m not complaining.

So yeah, settling in hasn’t exactly been smooth. Between breaking leases, rushed housing calls, and wrestling with too-big sheets, it’s been a little chaotic. But honestly? That’s kind of the fun of it too.