Page 19 - StudyTravel Magazine April 2024 Issue

ACCOMMODATION:

HOME AWAY FROM HOME

SPECIAL REPORT

For each international student embarking on their
new overseas adventure, student accommodation plays
a crucial part in creating a new home. This year,
providers tell us more about how to create the perfect
environment. Delilah Kealy-Roberts finds out more.

ASSOCIATED 1

ike 2022, 2023 wasn’t without its such as Ireland, which are seeing londonist.co.uk, Dinara Suleimanova
challenges for accommodation a surge of interest from overseas agrees. She says, “Partnerships
Lproviders. Particularly, the students. Eduardo Gonzaga, Director between universities and private PBSA
soaring demand post-pandemic of Dublin-based Leevin Ireland operators are becoming crucial in the
continues to outstrip supply. Archit https://leevinireland.com/ also notes light of the current challenges faced
Singh, PR Manager at student that supply has struggled to keep up by the sector.”
accommodation booking platform with demand: “Unfortunately, the Another challenge faced by
Amberstudent https://amberstudent. rental market in Ireland has been low those working in the student
com/ elaborates, “In 2023, the in properties due to its high demand, accommodation sector is creating
student accommodation sector and we know that more students are a home for international students,
faced challenges such as adapting coming to study here.” where they can feel included,
to fluctuating international student integrated, and equipped to achieve a
numbers post-pandemic and “The supply of affordable balanced lifestyle.
managing the balance between supply high-quality student Carla Mendes, City Marketing &
and demand for quality housing.” housing is paramount Residence Experience Manager at
According to Chris Milne, Sales to the international Granada-based LIV Student https://
Director at UK-based student education sector” livstudent.es/ highlights the
residency provider London Nest difficulties of student integration
https://www.londonnest.com/, The answer, according to providers, when it comes to a generation that
this tension between supply and will come in the form of accelerated has grown up during the isolation of
demand has also resulted in higher growth in new accommodation the pandemic and is more reliant on
costs for students. He notes, “Rising offerings and collaboration with technology. She says, “We’re talking
development and operational costs PBSA companies and education about a generation that was born and
and an unbalanced supply and providers. Chris explains, “The raised in a world of rapid technological
demand continue to result in soaring supply of affordable high-quality expansion, but which brings with it
rates. It is noted cost of living is now student housing is paramount to the a series of annoyances and issues
becoming a leading factor in choosing international education sector. Whilst often linked to a lack of face-to-
a study destination. The growth in there is an anticipated acceleration face sociability, a low tolerance
international student numbers is of growth in Purpose-Built Student for frustration and an excessive
expected to continue. This will include Accommodation, the impact is not dependence on technology.”
a significant increase of students from expected to be felt until 2026 in major To tackle this, many providers
price-sensitive markets.” student cities.” are thinking creatively about how
The supply issue has been Head of Business Development to create a home away from home
particularly pertinent in countries and Partnership at Londonist https:// for students, allowing them to feel

16 STUDYTRAVEL MAGAZINE