Settling in at The University of Otago – the magic of UniFlats

Kara Dillon – The University of Otago, New Zealand

Moving so far away from home can be daunting in itself, but having to navigate a completely a new life and make new friends in an unfamiliar place can seem an even bigger and scarier challenge. However, my experience of moving to Dunedin and settling in at The University of Otago couldn’t have been any easier due to the help of UniFlats!

UniFlats is the accommodation provider which most international students will use when coming to study abroad here at Otago. Not only do they provide fully furnished accommodation which includes kitchenware and bedding, but they also organise events throughout the whole year – exclusive to international students and UniFlats members. When arriving at the UniFlats office to collect your keys, you are immediately met with the warm and welcoming UniFlats staff who before even arriving in New Zealand, are helpful and reassuring in a time where you may be feeling uncertain or worried about what is to come. At the office, they even provided welcome packs which included several food items to keep you going in the first few days whilst you begin finding your feet. The way UniFlats is set up also means you are instantly flatting with a few other international students as well as a ‘Kiwi host’ who already knows the University and the city inside out! So, before even arriving, you know you will be living with people who are all in the same position as you are.

In my first few weeks here at Otago, I attended several meet and greet events and pub quiz style events which were all organised by UniFlats. This was a fantastic opportunity to bond with my flatmates as well as meeting other international students within the community. My favourite part, however, was the free ‘Kai’ which means food here in New Zealand. UniFlats often host free lunch events too throughout the semester, constantly ensuring you are being looked after and making the University feel like a home away from home!  Despite the fact that New Zealand is probably the furthest you could get from the UK, if you are someone who gets homesick often, this shouldn’t put you off from choosing Otago as an option! UniFlats have done an incredible job alone at helping Dunedin feel like a second home. If you are worried about making friends, their frequent events means that you can talk and interact with so many other students who are often in the same boat. I have even met some of my now closest friends here in Dunedin through the UniFlats community – which is amazing considering I came here knowing absolutely no one!