Living in a U.S. College Dorm: A Nepali International Student’s Honest Take

When I came to Bentley University in the spring semester for my undergraduate studies from Nepal, I only got one semester of dorm life—and honestly, that was enough for me.

It was also my first time ever living alone, away from my parents. Everything felt new, confusing, and slightly overwhelming. It was during that weird in-between time when COVID was still around but slowly fading. We still had to wear masks, and the energy on campus felt a little off.

Not the Most Exciting Start

Spring semester orientation?
Kind of boring, to be honest. If you have the option, I’d say start in the fall—it’s a whole different vibe.

I still remember my move-in day. It was raining. I had to carry all my stuff with my brother’s friend. Not exactly a picture-perfect college moment. But I was still excited. Living in a dorm felt like one of those college milestones I wanted to check off.

Dorm Setup: Freshman Hall, Double Room, Communal Bathroom

I was placed in a freshman dorm, in a double room with a communal bathroom down the hall. I’d heard all sorts of horror stories and mixed reviews about dorm life, so I went in with low expectations.

But surprisingly… it wasn’t that bad. It was definitely different from anything I’d experienced before, but I think one semester was actually the perfect amount of time for me.

Roommate Dynamics

My roommate and I got along just fine.
We didn’t become best friends, but our schedules matched up pretty well, and we respected each other’s space. There were the usual small inconveniences—you know, different sleep habits, clutter, noise—but nothing major. Honestly, that’s all I could really ask for.

Would I Do It Again? Probably Not.

Dorm life taught me a lot. It pushed me out of my comfort zone, helped me meet new people, and gave me the classic “college experience.”

But if I had to do it again? I’d probably pass, haha.

I’m really glad I got to experience dorm life once…
But yeah—once was enough.