Study Ireland – Stories & Guides from International Students

Blog by Ella Gustafsson

Introduction 

Walking into my room in Cappavilla village on my first day here at the University of Limerick (UL) felt daunting. I was met with what looked like a standard hotel room (with the bonus of a turquoise wall and dark green carpet) and I was immediately struck by an anxious feeling. How was I supposed to make this blank canvas feel like a home? 

Thankfully, since then, I have managed to turn the space into something that truly feels like mine, and like a home away from home. Now, I am here to give you some advice on how to make your standard UL accommodation room feel like a home away from home! 

How I Made UL Feel Like a Home 

One of the key things that helped me settle in here at UL was bringing personal items from my home in Sweden with me. My mother flew with me to Limerick to help me get settled, which meant I could bring extra luggage, and therefore, a few more comforts from home. However, I have found that it is not the amount of items you have that determines whether something feels like home or not. It is the significance of those items that matters. 

Some essentials I brought from home included: 

• Pictures – My mother made a photo collage with pictures of my family, our dog, and my previous horse who recently passed away. I have it pinned to my bulletin board. It is a great reminder of all the people (and pets) who love me back home. 

• Recipes from Home – My mother has been sending me some Swedish recipes, and I have also been baking a lot of Swedish pastries. For example, when we had a day celebrating the Swedish pastry “Semlor”, I tried to recreate them here. Baking and cooking food that reminds me of home has been a really comforting activity. 

• Other Things – I brought several sentimental items that remind me of my friends. A couple of friends gave me the novel The Portrait of Dorian Greycby Irish author Oscar Wilde as a departure gift. They also wrote me a Limerick inside it, dedicated to the adventurous nature of my Erasmus studies. Another friend gave me a Paul Mescal calendar, which now hangs on my bulletin board. For my birthday, another friend made me handdrawn Irish drink cards with recipes on the back – those now sit on the shelf above my desk. I also have a mandala heart made by my mother, a photograph of me and my grandpa, and a crochet mini version of my old horse on my desk. 

When I arrived here in Limerick, I also bought some things to make the room feel more homely. For example, two cosy blankets, an extra pillow for my bed and some plastic plants. 

Staying in regular contact with friends and family has also helped this place feel like home. Whether it is sending updates to my parents, joking with my brother on Snapchat, or FaceTiming friends, keeping those connections strong has been of huge importance to me. While it might be tricky at times I think it is important to keep them updated on my life here, and I definitely do not want to miss out on any updates from back home! 

Another great source of comfort has been my now close friend Elisa. She is a classmate from my journalism studies back home, though we did not know each other before going on Erasmus. When we discovered we were both going to Limerick we got together and started planning our trip together, and now we are great friends! I know not everyone has the privilege of coming here with someone from their class, university, or country and becoming friends. But for me Elisa has become a huge support. I love speaking Swedish with her and being able to discuss things with someone who shares my cultural background. 

The other friends I have made here have also made UL feel like home. Whether it is having conversations, studying, or experiencing Ireland together, the friendships I have formed here have definitely been the key to making Limerick feel like my home away from home. 

How My Friends Made UL Feel Like Home 

It is important to note that everyone finds comfort in different ways. I know people who have barely decorated their rooms because they do not find it necessary or because they do not want to spend money on it, while others have gone all out when it comes to decorating. Like most things in life, it is subjective. As I mentioned, some people might also not have the funds to spend money on decorating a room. However, there are also so many free or cheaper things to make this place feel homely, and I am hoping I can demonstrate some of them in this blogpost as well. 

I decided to ask two of my friends here how they have made UL feel like home. Here is what they said: 

Noor: 

“For me, I’ve tried to bring a lot of the Netherlands with me. My cupboard is full of Dutch products that I brought with me here, such as stroopwafels, Dutch liquorice and curry ketchup. I also brought lots of room decorations. My sister crocheted a string of bows that now hang over my window. I also brought some picture books and photos of my friends and family. Besides decorating, I also call my friends, family, and boyfriend a lot. I also make sure to do things that make me happy and relaxed, like painting and drawing.” 

Elisa: 

“I’ve focused a lot on decorating my room to make it feel cosy. I brought polaroids of friends, family and loved ones that remind me of home, and when I arrived I bought a blanket, pillow, and bed throw. During my time here I’ve also done some craft projects, just the other week I made origami cranes to hang up. Like Noor I use creative hobbies to feel grounded and at home. I brought my guitar, and playing and singing really makes me feel at home. I also have regular FaceTime calls with loved ones, and cook comfort food from back home like banana oatmeal and stewed macaroni.” 

Final Reflection 

Sometimes, making this place feel like home can be a challenge. I have had nights where I felt really homesick. But one of the wonderful things about studying abroad at UL is the personal support system. If you ever feel down, there is help available here on campus, such as the Chaplaincy Service, Student Engagement and Support Officers, Student Financial Support Advisor, UL Éist, the Student Health Centre, and Student Advisors in Student Life. 

For me, the key to feeling good is my environment. Therefore, spending some time in my cosy room, chatting with my new friends, or calling loved ones back home really lifts my spirits. 

If you are like me and only here for four months, it might feel like too short a time to settle in fully, but life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans. It is okay to feel homesick sometimes. But maybe, just maybe, making your space here cosy to make it feel like a home whilst also keeping in touch with life back at home can help you enjoy your time in Ireland even more!