"The place where one resides permanently.”
This is the simple, safe definition that Google gave me for the word “home.” While it'd be difficult to challenge this explanation, I'm not sure it's all encompassing. For most of my life, home has been the four walls containing my family, my bedroom and all my belongings. It was the place I returned to at the end of the day knowing I’d find comfort. However, the last time I went back to the house I grew up in for a weekend visit, my roommate asked me when I’d be returning “home.” I told her when I’d be back in London without a second thought.
To me, home is a fluid concept. My definition changes with time and I’ve learned that it can define multiple separate places, people and concepts. Currently, I live on campus in a traditional style residence I call home, while most students live around campus all four years of school. University is the only time in our lives that we’ll live this way, whether in traditional residence, suite style or off campus. While I may have my bias about the superior university living style, I spoke to a few people about their experiences in each of the places that they call home to gain insight on the different living styles.
Vivian → Suite style
“To me, home is where I feel comfort and love. When I’m home, I can freely be myself and really relax.”
Vivian’s first choice when ranking residence preferences was suite style, so you can imagine her delight when she was placed in Essex Hall. Vivian values privacy and she told me about how having space and time for herself gives her ample room to relax in her own zone. After speaking with numerous people who are living in suite style, it has become clear that introverted personality types tend to enjoy this residence style. In addition to liking her privacy and space, Vivian also emphasized the importance of having control over a clean bathroom, which is one pro that I think most people would agree with.
However, I asked Vivian if she would change her ranking given the opportunity to do so, and she was not quick to say no.
“Honestly, I would consider it,” she told me. “I like the more social aspects of traditional and hybrid residences, and I think that they provide more unique living experiences.” I found her reflection interesting-- even though she has had a completely different experience than I have, she still views the lack of forced proximity as a potential negative.
Parsa → Hybrid style
“Home for me is somewhere I can unwind and relax.”
Parsa had ranked hybrid the highest when choosing a residence, so he was pleased when he was placed in his top ranked residence building. He theorized that hybrid would be the best of both worlds between traditional and suite style references, which is a very reasonable analysis. Hybrid has the closeness of roommates, with the added suite style benefit of a private bathroom and significantly more space. After living in hybrid style for the past semester, Parsa pointed out his affinity for the social aspect of the cafeteria and the halls, while still enjoying the privacy of his own bathroom and shower.
Unlike Vivian, when asked if he would go back and change his ranking, I was greeted with an immediate “no.” Parsa explained that he could see the appeal of traditional style after seeing the level of closeness his traditional style peers had developed, but the “slight difference” didn't outweigh the priority he places on a private bathroom and more space. Understandably, hybrid offers the benefits of both other styles. But, and take my bias with a grain of salt, it may also lack the level of natural socialization that a forced proximity in traditional style presents, which I don’t think is a sacrifice I’d be willing to make.
Angie → Traditional style
“I think home is just somewhere you can truly be yourself and be comfortable. If you feel supported and loved by the people around you, then anywhere can be home.”
Traditional style was not initially Angie’s first choice. She wanted to be in a hybrid style residence -- although she wanted the opportunity to meet new people, she also liked the idea of having her own washroom and space. Despite her reservations, Angie clarified that she believes she has been able to make more friends in residence compared to the experiences of her friends in hybrid styles, so she’s ended up viewing traditional style as superior. Angie also shared how everyone is so close to each other as a floor.
“We all live right next to each other, so we’re a lot more comfortable with each other than we would be in hybrid or suite style. I love this level of closeness! Since we’re so comfortable going to each other for anything, we have a level of support that keeps us from ever feeling alone.”
Finally, I asked Angie if she would go back and choose a different residence style if she could.
“I wouldn’t, I would stick with traditional style,” she told me. “At the end of the day, it’s the university experience! You are never going to get these years back. You have the rest of your life to live in privacy, but I don’t think I would have made these long-lasting connections if not for traditional style.”
While it may not be for everyone, living in a traditional style residence has certainly been the best choice for me. It was not what I originally wanted, but I’ve grown to see how much better it’s made my first-year experience. As someone who wants to meet new people, traditional style provides a perfect opportunity to do so. There’s someone new at every corner and despite our differences, we’re all going through the same bewildering, new atmosphere. It’s comforting to live so closely with a group of people that I now call my closest friends at university.
There are pros and cons to every living style. But wherever you end up at Western, I’m confident you’ll build a home through the richness of the connections that Western has to offer.