With coronavirus cases rising, student accommodations across the United Kingdom have had to alter their residents’ standards of living.
According to a recent survey, only 8.6% of UK universities are providing blended learning, leaving students to take online classes from their dorm rooms while having limited social interaction with peers.
Unite Students, a United Kingdom-based student accommodation, has found ways to allow residents to safely socialize with each other while prioritizing their health and wellbeing. According to Uite Group LLC, the accommodation boasts first-class cleaning and hygiene standards and a 5-star safety rating, and Covid assurance from the British Safety Council.
“We are working closely with universities, local councils and public health bodies to ensure we are doing everything possible to keep students safe,” according to a statement from Unite Students’ website.
Residents have been required to follow Government guidelines, sanitize regularly and self-isolate if needed. For those required to quarantine, the accommodation offers food and medicine delivery, 24/7 support, welfare leads, and the MyUnite app to chat with flatmates and remotely log maintenance requests.
Head of Accommodation and Hospitality at the University of Kent, Laura McClean has been closely supporting students in self-isolation. She said that the best way to avoid needing to self-isolate or catching the virus is by social distancing and staying within your household “bubble”.
Postgraduate student Abisola Foluronso who stays in Unite Medway said that although her time in isolation was challenging, she came to terms with it.
“I don’t think it’s their [Unite Students] fault. We are in a world crisis, and ‘corona’ has everyone’s hands tied,” she said.
For other students, self-isolation proved to be more difficult. First-year student Krzysztof Wielgos had to self-isolate upon arrival to his Unite dorm in Leeds.
Mr. Weiglos explained that his experience in isolation looked like hand washing all of his clothes in a bucket and relying on expensive takeaways for meals.
His time in isolation has prompted him to not renew his contract with the Unite. “I would leave earlier if the contract wouldn’t have been signed for a year,” he said.
With self-isolation, social distancing and online learning, many new students feared they would not be able to socialize and make friends. A British Safety Council survey reported a 13% decrease in student enrollment for the Fall of 2020, leaving many residence halls to have vacancies.
Unite Students has accommodations in over 25 different cities across the UK and pricing ranges based on location and the type of room rented. Typically, rent is calculated weekly and can be between £75 to over £700 weekly depending on the city.
Although many students received leasing bonuses and perks like a £250 voucher or the option to get compensated for extenuating circumstances, the accommodation price remained relatively the same compared to other years.
Freshman Joan Vallduriola said he was excited to make friends at Unite London, but has not seen many residents around. Although he has made friends in his flat, he said: “There’s not that many rooms booked...without Covid, it would be a lot better.”
Due to Government guidelines enforcing the ‘rule of six,’ not mixing households and closed off common areas, Unite Students has encouraged residents to participate in virtual gatherings to get to know other students.
Valeria Sappi in Unite Aberdeen has heavily relied on remote events to get to know other people in her building. “Unite is holding more and more creative events and challenges for the residents, which is fun,” she said.
Although students have had to miss out on freshers week, parties and other social events this semester, Unite Students has been committed to maintaining a social standard to support all of its residents.
With the national lockdown going into effect Nov. 5, university students across the country will have to adjust to limiting measures imposed.
“Apart from the current unwelcoming circumstances from COVID-19, it [Unite Students] was a great experience,” said Nicholaus Aurianna from Unite Birmingham.
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