Independent living promotes personal growth in students

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Picture used for illustrative purposes alone
Picture used for illustrative purposes alone

Beyond the federal universities in the UAE, the concept of purpose built student accommodation is relatively new, but is fast gaining ground and becoming increasingly important to parents and students in their decision making.

By Peter Hawke (Executive Director, Enrollment Management and Co-op RIT Dubai)

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Published: Sat 10 Sep 2016, 11:00 PM

Last updated: Sun 11 Sep 2016, 8:27 AM

Most students who studied at international universities have tales to tell, whether actual or embellished. From late night study sessions before finals, messy roommates, disappearing milk, to neighbours with appalling taste in music, they all help shape the university experience for many.
Beyond the federal universities in the UAE, the concept of purpose built student accommodation is relatively new, but is fast gaining ground and becoming increasingly important to parents and students in their decision making. 
With strict rental laws and payment requirements, living alone is simply not feasible for most students and even those who can afford it are often hesitant. Student housing such as that at RIT Dubai offers a logical and safe compromise whilst they are at university and is essential for the growing number of international students.
We strongly believe in the personal development of students as much as the academic. This is apparent through our clubs, societies and unique COOP internship programmes to ensure students have practical experience and skills.
Learning not only how to study or work with others, but actually live with them is a fundamental life skill. This is an important preparation for those who study abroad. Our students form close bonds that continue beyond graduation and well into their working lives. The strongest example of this is perhaps of two roommates on our New York campus, where one went so far as to donate his kidney to save the other's life.
An extreme case certainly, but symbolic of the close ties students form in shared living.
As someone who spends a lot of time counselling students and parents, it's always great to see students on their first day, wide-eyed and excited at the first taste of freedom. Many parents tend to be a lot more apprehensive and the mixed emotions are heightened because many students in the region have never cooked or had to worry about daily chores.
Negotiating or establishing fridge and washing up rules to working out differences and budgeting, are important rites of passage. At RIT Dubai, all this happens within the safety net of separate male and female student housing with security, support teams and state-of-the-art facilities.
As parents factor in accommodation in their choice of university, it becomes important to offer suitable options that provide value for money for students and enable a secure, stimulating environment.
Yes, they might stay up late, spend all their money in the first week and argue over the fridge's contents, but they will become independent, experienced young adults ready to take on the world, and with tales of their own to tell.
 


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