What It’s Really Like Living With Other Interns

Even if you share a household with siblings, you still might not be prepped for life with strangers. 

Living in the same domestic space with new people can be a daunting experience at first glance. For the only-children among you, the experience can be quite novel and awkward to say the least.

When you embark on a Beyond Academy international internship, you have the option to live alongside other interns, students and young professionals. But if you’re new to the concept of communal living then get ready to take down notes. Here’s our lowdown on living with other interns; we call it Roommating 101!

Sometimes you’ll be shocked, and other times you’ll be the shocker yourself. Living with other people each with their own unique heritage, customs and ways of living can be challenging. It might help to think of it as a cultural exchange; observe customs, attires, and culinary scents from faraway lands. 

You never know, that new food that’s stewing may end up becoming your favourite dish. And the strange music you’ve never heard might soon become a favorite. In years to come, it may even make you nostalgic for your internship. 

It works both ways too. You and your roommates are walking ambassadors of your own nations. Therefore, you should definitely take any opportunity to politely inquire about their lifestyle and hobbies back home. The key ingredient of any harmonious communal living space is mutual respect. Embrace somebody’s idiosyncrasies so they can embrace yours!

Even if you end up with a houseful of homelanders you’ll still discover differences in your backgrounds and the way you each live. Don’t expect everyone who speaks your language to share your habits! 

After all, you can’t spell international without ‘intern’!

Right now, you’re comfortable in your family home. You can enjoy wandering in your underwear or pyjamas around the house. But when you live with other interns, most of these habits you will need to confine these habits to your bedroom only! 

Unfortunately, you can’t sit around in your dressing gown in any of the communal areas loudly eating chips all day. And why would you?! Get out and explore! 

Not to mention, you’ll need to be respectful in all environments of the shared living space. Always clean up after yourself, don’t take too long in the bathroom getting ready, and try not to leave your new home in disarray.

No one wants to be the intern or roommate that leaves dirty dishes to block up the sink and kitchen area! While we’re all usually happy to clean our own mess, the feeling of cleaning up someone else’s greasy pans is another story. Plus, you don’t want to fall out with your new roomies over something so trivial.

To promptly prevent tragedies of this nature from occurring, your house ought to have a group meeting. There you’ll discuss your schedules and availability to help you create a plan to follow. This is especially important on workday mornings when people may have strict commute times.

For example, work out who is free and when and then share out the communal chores. You might sweep the floor on a Monday morning while the others are at work. And someone else may clean the bathroom when others have their supervisor meetings. 

But the golden rule of all communal living maestros is ‘clean up after yourself’.

Gradually, you’ll become a master of compromise and mutual respect. When small things get to you, learn to stop yourself before launching into a tirade over which way up the toilet paper sits in the holder or the right AC setting! 

Most arguments erupt simply because we forget that we’re all different. So find some common ground and explain calmly your preferences. Ask your roommate theirs and then find a middle ground or compromise that works for everyone.

If you set up common rules and etiquette it will make life and living together easier. Then, if someone systematically breaks these rules, it’s time to talk. Try and find the root of the problem and always seek diplomatic solutions. 

Learn a bit about your new roommates so that you can find common ground. Don’t be struck when your new roomies haven’t heard of your favorite bands or films. 

Remember, even film and music preferences vary from East to West. 

Since you’re all interns or young professionals, your career goals and professional aspirations are the Number 1 ice-breaker. Start with basic questions about their career decisions. Over time, you’ll get more comfortable conversing with each other. By the time your internship is over, you’ll be regretting all the questions you didn’t get to ask. 

If you have nothing in common, your shared experience will soon become common ground.

So what do you think? Too shy to start up a convo or too excited to even stop talking?!

Whatever your background or character, you should always remind yourself that you’re all people on a mission. A mission to a better future and new horizons. So don’t get caught up by the silly things – enjoy the experience of living with other like-minded interns! 

But if you feel you really need some support with managing your new environment, the Beyond Academy team will be on hand to help. Our team is always available to give out personal as well as professional advice. We’ll be there 24/7 to support you.

Start planning your adventure and experience what it’s like to live with other interns for yourself! Choose from 18 industries and 14 unique locations all over the world! From Tokyo and Seoul to New York and San Francisco, and get ready for your next adventure!