Produced by Guest blogger
My name is Trine Olsen from Denmark, studying MSc in Forensic Anthropology. I knew that I wanted to live with other people because a uni shared flat is a terrific way to make new friends.
However, I am also not really a night owl person or someone who wants to party every day. I wanted a place with a decent amount of peace and quiet, as well as the opportunity to meet people. I needed to find a place to stay that had the perfect balance.
I spent quite a lot of time looking at the different university halls around town. Ultimately, I went with Okeford House, because it is close to Talbot campus, it’s only for postgrads, and I could share a flat with other people.
Good location takes away the stress
Okeford House is in a very nice location. You can walk to Talbot campus in about 15 minutes and if the weather is bad, the bus stop is only 100 meters from the front door. It’s a bit far from the beach and Bournemouth town centre, but the buses are close, and they go into town very often. If you have the time, you can walk there in less than an hour, and get to see a little bit more of the town on the way.
Okeford is also close to the Winton main road, which means there are lots of shops nearby. Both Lidl and Waitrose are a two-minute walk away, so going there is almost no hassle. This is helpful when you come home late from lectures and realise you are out of toilet paper.
Cosy and comfortable
The rooms at Okeford are nice as well. Although they are not the most spacious compared to other accommodation options, they are large enough for it to be comfortable. There is a lot of storage space, which I like, as I am somewhat of a hoarder. I’ve decorated my room with pictures from home, posters, and plants and I can comfortably say that I feel very at home here.
Food, fun and friends
I am very happy that I ended up in Okeford. I’ve made a lot of friends here and not just from my own flat. There are a lot of dorm events all the time, and because the house is relatively small, you get to a point where almost everyone in the building is a familiar face. This is nice, because the halls get to feel like home very quickly, which is something I am very grateful for.
I’ve ended up with a great group of friends here. We do a lot together – from going to pub quiz nights and dance clubs to just having a quiet night with movies and snacks. If I’m ever in the mood to hang out, there’s always someone a couple of flats over. On the other hand, if I need some alone time, I can just close my door and channel my inner hermit for a while.
All in all, Okeford House is a great place to live, and I am very happy to call myself and Okefordian!
By Trine Olsen, Denmark, MSc in Forensic Anthropology, 2017/18