Residence can be double the fun: A student perspective
2011-02-02 12:26:31
By Melissa Lombard
Roommates Allen Fowlis and Ian Hamilton-Burge came to Mount Allison University in 2009 from opposite sides of the country — Fowlis from Calgary, AB and Hamilton-Burge from Halifax, NS. Both were drawn to the University for similar reasons, including the small town, the low student-to-faculty ratio, and Mount Allison’s consistent #1 ranking in Maclean’s magazine.
Hamilton-Burge says Mount Allison came highly recommended.
“A lot of my family came to Mount Allison. Recommendations played a big part in my decision,” he says. “The University also offered the best, interactive tour. I learned the most about the Mount Allison experience at an Open House.”
The pair were matched by housing assistant Isobel Snowdon in their first year and they decided to remain roommates in their second year at Windsor House.
The Mount Allison residence community consists of 13 unique residences. Windsor is the largest house on campus with 226 residents (28 single rooms/ 99 double rooms), located on the “north side” of campus, close to the dining hall.
“If you want to have a roommate, live close to the main dining hall, and have the social atmosphere of a bigger house, Windsor’s a great choice,” says Fowlis.
The smaller “south side residences” offer a more intimate experience and are located near the Student Centre, just a short five-minute walk across campus from the “north side.” There are also several other “small residence experiences” just off campus that are themed, including Animal House, which fosters animals from the animal shelter.
The two say residence living allows you to meet more people and gives you access to all kinds of social activities, including intramural sports, floor competitions, and house parties, where you get to meet students from other residences.
“By your third year you know the year above you and the year below you, so you know 3/4 of the population of the school and could probably strike up a conversation with any one of them,” says Fowlis.
Fowlis says he definitely recommends having a roommate for at least a year.
“It opens up your friend groups,” he says. “I didn’t know anyone coming here from out west and Ian’s friends took me in.”
Hamilton-Burge says, “It’s great to always have someone to talk to, especially when you are used to living in a house with your family.”
Fowlis is a Commerce student and Hamilton-Burge a Science student. Hamilton-Burge says it’s a benefit that they are not in the same program because they spend time talking about other things besides schoolwork.
“We have different personalities that complement each other. We aren’t the same person, but we have similar social patterns, and we get along really well.”
He recommends having an open mind when it comes to meeting your roommate.
“I remember walking into my room on the first day and Allen wasn’t here. I saw prayer beads and a yoga book laying around and didn’t know what I was getting myself into,” he laughs. “It turned out he had lived in India for a year, so that was a great ice breaker to talk about.”
Learn more about Mount Allison’s residence community at Housing
PHOTO CAPTION: Ian Hamilton-Burge (left) and Allen Fowlis (right) in their room in Windsor House.