Are you going abroad for an internship and planning to live in a shared flat?

You can already congratulate yourself: it’s probably the best way to meet people, share costs, and make your stay unforgettable.

But be careful: living with flatmates also requires discipline. And some habits can turn the best experience into a collective nightmare.

Here are the 8 things NOT to do when living in a shared flat abroad. Read them carefully and share them with your future flatmates.

The myth to forget: “living in a shared flat abroad will always be chill”

This is the number one mistake students make when they arrive for an internship.

Yes, shared living is amazing when it is well managed. But it can turn into drama in just a few days if the unspoken rules are not respected.

Spoiler: these rules are universal. Whether you are in Barcelona, Berlin or Malta, the sources of conflict are the same.

1. Slamming the front door early in the morning

You start work early? Your flatmates are sleeping.

At first, they will be understanding. By day three: you are their public enemy number one.

The rule:

• Put your keys down quietly
• Hold the door instead of letting it slam
• Prepare your bag the night before to avoid morning chaos

Remember: morning sleep is sacred. For them too.

2. Starting a washing machine at 11 p.m.

This is THE classic shared-flat mistake.

You get home at 7 p.m., you could wash your clothes peacefully. But no. At 11 p.m., you suddenly realise you have no underwear left.

So you start a wash. Half-asleep, you select the 3-hour programme.

Your flatmates are trying to sleep one wall away.

The rule: washing machine = before 10 p.m. maximum. And don’t forget to empty it the next morning.

3. Finishing the toilet paper roll without replacing it

A classic. The ultimate lack of respect.

You finish the roll. You leave the empty cardboard tube. Worse: you realise there is no toilet paper left in stock… and you say nothing.

The next flatmate? They are about to experience an unforgettable lonely moment.

The rule: you finish it = you replace it. And you add it to the shared shopping list.

4. Leaving your dishes in the sink for 3 days

An overflowing sink is the number one trigger for tension in a shared flat.

Every flatmate denies responsibility. Everyone looks for the culprit. Peace starts to crumble.

The golden rule:

• You use a plate → you wash it straight away
• No “I’ll do it later”
• 2 minutes now > 1 hour of tension later

As Spotahome points out, dirty dishes are the number one cause of conflict in international shared flats.

5. Taking over your flatmate’s fridge space

The fridge in a shared flat is territory.

When each flatmate has their own shelf, you respect the shelves. Your flatmate comes back from the supermarket and finds their compartment full of your leftovers? Immediate tension.

The rule:

• Put your shopping in your space
• If you have no more room: give things away, throw things out, or ask a flatmate if they have space
• Never take over fridge space without asking

6. Stealing food from the fridge, the Magnum syndrome

Summer. Extreme heat. You get home from your internship. You open the freezer.

A Magnum.

It is alone. It is tempting. It is calling your name.

You eat it.

Fatal mistake. That Magnum was not yours. Your flatmate will eventually notice. And your last Kinder Bueno will probably disappear too.

The rule: if it is NOT yours = do not touch it. Ask, or wait for your flatmate to offer.

7. Entering a flatmate’s room without knocking

A closed door is a message.

Whether your flatmate is working, getting changed, on a video call with their parents or doing something else, they are not expecting you to burst in like nothing happened.

The rule: knock. Wait for an answer. Always.

It may seem obvious, but it is surprisingly often ignored.

8. Inviting 5 friends over without warning anyone

An improvised drinks night with 8 people on a Tuesday evening? Cool for you.

For your flatmate who has an important interview the next morning at 9 a.m.? Not cool at all.

The rule:

• Give a heads-up at least 2-3 hours in advance
• If you are organising a real party: tell everyone at least the day before
• And clean up after yourself, see point 4

As Go Overseas explains, clear communication, like a dedicated flatshare WhatsApp group, is the secret to shared flats that last.

Bonus: the tools that save a shared flat

A few simple apps can prevent 95% of conflicts:

• Splitwise: managing shared expenses
• Tricount: splitting bills and groceries
• Shared Google Calendar: visible events and schedules
• Dedicated WhatsApp group: everything goes through it

HousingAnywhere also recommends setting up a weekly cleaning schedule from day one. It sounds basic. It changes everything.

Why choose Stud&Globe to support you?

Because we help you find a shared flat that suits you when you go abroad for an internship.

In concrete terms, we help you:

• Find an internship suited to your profile
• Get guidance on housing and shared flats in your destination
• Connect with other interns already there
• Get support before, during and after your departure

You leave with peace of mind. You enjoy the experience. You come back with friends for life.

⭐ Ready to experience the best shared flat of your life?

8 rules. None of them is rocket science. And all of them protect your peace.

Shared living is also what makes your internship abroad unforgettable.

So, what are you waiting for?