In the final edition of our “Abodus Students Say” blog series, we reached out to Alice Currie, a resident of Portland Green Student Village, to see what her experience has been like living with Abodus.
Alice is currently studying Sport, Exercise and Nutrition at Northumbria University, but when she isn’t at university, she lives in Kendall, the Lake District. Alice also plays netball for Northumbria, which is one of her reasons for choosing to study in Newcastle.
Read on below to learn more about Alice and her living experience at Portland Green Student Village.
In general..
Abodus
How long have you been living at PGSV?
Alice
I’ve been here since the end of September, so over a few months now. This is my first year at university.
Abodus
So, just a little bit about booking. When you booked your accommodation with us, how did you find the process?
Alice
It was super easy! It literally took me a day to sort everything out. And then [the site team] came back to me straightaway and said, “You can select which flat you want to go in.” So yeah, it was pretty easy.
Abodus
Okay, so when you checked in, did you find that it was quite easy to check in, even amongst all the Covid restrictions? Were the onsite team available to help you with anything needed?
Alice
I was really nervous when I arrived because I didn’t know anyone. I didn’t know my flatmates. But as soon as I came in, the staff reception was so lovely and welcoming. We even got a welcome package.
Abodus
And when you got into your flat, was it move-in ready?
Alice
It was spotless! I literally love my flat. It’s so modern and spacious. The kitchen is massive! It’s perfect.
On events and engagement..
Abodus
Have you attended any of the virtual events that we’ve put on since September?
Alice
Yeah, I’ve done a quiz night and the scavenger hunt with my flat mates. It was great because it filled in a full two hours of our day.
Abodus
So with the virtual events, even the ones that you haven’t attended, did you know about them ahead of time? Were they pretty clearly promoted?
Alice
Yeah, I think I happened to see them both on our Facebook residents’ group.
Abodus
Okay, so moving on to giveaways. Have you seen our Instagram giveaways?
Alice
Um, yeah, I’ve seen the custom designed Air Force One trainers. I’ve seen quite a few actually!
Abodus
Are there certain things that you’d rather win over others?
Alice
Well, I think everyone’s keen to win anything that’s free. But I thought the HelloFresh one was a good idea because it’s promoting healthy eating, as well. To be honest, I think the technology giveaways are also good ones.
Abodus
You said all students love anything free. Did you know about the free samples down in your reception area?
Alice
Yeah, I see them all the time. They’re so good! There’s this alcohol at the minute, I think it’s a tropical alcohol. It’s like 90 something calories per can, and it’s so nice. I think the pot noodles have gone down quite well, because whenever I walk past they’re almost all gone.
Abodus
Overall, does it feel like you’re getting a full, 360 degree experience from us? Do you feel like living with Abodus have provided you with more than just a room?
Alice
Yeah, definitely, especially considering how Covid has let everyone isolated. I feel not as isolated as maybe I would if there wasn’t as much going on here at PGSV. It feels like a community here, like there’s always something going on.
On wellbeing..
Abodus
Speaking of isolation, have you found yourself over the past year struggling with your physical or mental wellbeing? And what have you done to look after your wellbeing?
Alice
Well, I feel like I’m a bit different, because I’m kind of used to not living at home like; I went to boarding school. But some days are definitely hard, and on those days I like to go for a run or go to the gym here on site. That’s really helped me and my flatmates’ wellbeing because we’ve been able to book the gym about three times per week. And also the study rooms are available to hire out, so that just gets you out of your room, as well. Even if it’s just downstairs, it’s in a different environment, rather than just being stuck in your flat 24/7. But, yeah. I think overall, the pandemic has affected everyone’s mental health.
Abodus
With your physical and mental wellbeing, do you feel like you have enough resources from us? You know, if you needed anything, do you feel like you would be able to speak with someone on site? Do you feel like you’ve kind of got that support there if you need it?
Alice
Yeah, I feel like everyone who works here is doing everything that they can to help us and make us feel supported. I think if I had a problem with anything, I’d feel comfortable bringing it up to reception and speaking to them. We had a situation a few months ago with one of our flatmates and they saw to it so well. They were so lovely about it and got it sorted really quick.
On Covid-19..
Abodus
Since you’ve been there in September, have you been home at all? Did you go home for Christmas or anything?
Alice
Yeah, I went home at Christmas. I think I went home before that as well at some point.
Abodus
Have you had to self-isolate while you’ve been at PGSV due to Covid?
Alice
Yeah, I caught COVID at the end of September, October time. And then obviously, all my flat mates got it as well. So we isolated for 14 days.
Abodus
I’m sorry to hear that you had Covid, but I’m glad that you all have recovered from it. Did you have a lot of support from the team there while you were isolating?
Alice
Yeah, so they sent food boxes, like food parcels, up to our rooms. They also had a thing with Morrison’s, where you’d place your order online and they’d bring the shopping into the reception, and the staff here would bring it up to the door of your flat. And the site team also told us to leave our bins outside the flat and they took them down for us. Little things like that were really helpful.
Overall..
Abodus
In general, have you found that your Abodus property has been well maintained and in good condition?
Alice
Yeah, so we have these regular checks of our flat. Like with fire safety and stuff like that, someone will come in and check the fire alarms and the extinguisher and check that everything’s intact. And further to the question, there was really bad snow about a week ago, I think. The maintenance team were out shovelling the snow and making paths first thing in the morning so when we all woke up there were paths everywhere from each block, and they’d even put grit down. It must have taken absolute ages! I bet other accommodations wouldn’t have done that for their residents.
Abodus
During the time that you have been at PGSV, do you feel happy and satisfied with your accommodation and experience here as a whole?
Alice
Yeah, definitely! I don’t think I would have wanted to stay anywhere else. I’m so glad that I did choose to live here because it’s been so nice, and I’ve met such nice people from moving in here. So yeah, I’m really glad I chose to live here.
