A Student’s Guide to UniLodge Carlton

By Arthur, University of Melbourne, Australia.

Settling into UniLodge Carlton was one of the highlights of my exchange experience. Despite initial concerns, I can safely say it made my time in Melbourne much easier and far more enjoyable. I decided to purchase a welcome box before my arrival, which included essentials like bedding, plates, cutlery and other household basics. It might sound simple, but after a long journey, it was incredibly reassuring having everything I needed to get started waiting for my arrival. Despite it being slightly overpriced, it took a lot of the stress out of moving in and allowed me to make my otherwise baron room feel like home immediately.

My room itself was relatively comfortable but certainly practical. It had a partially covered view over the CBD and had space for a desk, a small double bed and cupboard; perfectly functional, if not large, which is all that you can expect from student accommodation.  

My corridor was home to around 25 international students, with whom I shared 4 bathrooms with for the duration of my stay. Whilst this wasn’t always ideal, it was impossible not to get to know each other in such close quarters, which meant the corridor quickly became a pretty social and friendly place to live. Having the opportunity to get to know people my age from all over the world was a rare experience that I’m really grateful for- everyone had different stories and reasons for being in Melbourne, which really added to the diverse atmosphere of the city.

Outside of the corridor, UniLodge had lots of fantastic social and recreational facilities throughout the building. The rooftop terrace had an unbelievable view over the CBD and was a perfect spot to watch the sunset. Completed with a BBQ area, it quickly became a hotspot for evening hangouts for my friends and I; it was certainly the selling point of the accommodation. There was also a cinema room, alongside a games room including a pool and table-tennis table, which were both always buzzing with people- it was definitely tricky to get bored.

Location-wise, it was situated in the south of Campus, meaning I was in walking distance of both the CBD and the parkville university campus. It was perfect for exploring the city whilst having everything I needed close by- I couldn’t have asked for a better Melbourne suburb to live in.

I must also mention the reception team, who were incredibly helpful in navigating life in a new city. They were always very approachable and happy to clear up any questions over transport or other general queries- it made settling in far less stressful.

Overall, I would highly recommend UniLodge Carlton to any student coming to Melbourne, especially if it’s your first time living in the city. It’s unbeatable location and facilities alone makes it one of the best options in the city for exchange students, and if you are keen to meet