{"id":22717,"date":"2017-04-11T15:32:20","date_gmt":"2017-04-11T14:32:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/studandglobe.com\/8-choses-a-ne-pas-faire-en-colocation\/"},"modified":"2026-06-15T16:24:52","modified_gmt":"2026-06-15T15:24:52","slug":"8-things-you-should-never-do-shared-flat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/studandglobe.com\/en\/blog\/8-things-you-should-never-do-shared-flat\/","title":{"rendered":"Living in a shared flat abroad: 8 things you should NEVER do"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<article>\n<header>\n<h1><span style=\"color: #21a0a0;\">Living in a shared flat abroad: 8 things you should NEVER do<\/span><\/h1>\n<\/header>\n<p>Are you going abroad for an internship and planning to live in a <strong>shared flat<\/strong>?<\/p>\n<p>You can already <strong>congratulate yourself<\/strong>: it\u2019s probably the best way to meet people, share costs, and <strong>make your stay unforgettable<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>But be careful: living with flatmates also requires <strong>discipline<\/strong>. And some habits can turn the best experience into a <strong>collective nightmare<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>Here are the <strong>8 things NOT to do<\/strong> when living in a shared flat abroad. Read them carefully and share them with your future flatmates.<\/p>\n<div class=\"sg-btn-wrap\" style=\"text-align: center; margin: 32px 0;\"><a style=\"display: inline-block; background: #ee6146; color: #fff; padding: 14px 22px; border-radius: 50px; text-decoration: none; font-weight: 400;\" href=\"https:\/\/studandglobe.com\/en\/internship-abroad\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">\ud83d\ude80 FIND YOUR INTERNSHIP ABROAD<\/a><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #ee6146;\">The myth to forget: \u201cliving in a shared flat abroad will always be chill\u201d<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>This is the number one mistake students make when they arrive for an internship.<\/p>\n<p>Yes, shared living is amazing <strong>when it is well managed<\/strong>. But it can turn into drama in just a few days if <strong>the unspoken rules are not respected<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>Spoiler: these rules are <strong>universal<\/strong>. Whether you are in Barcelona, Berlin or Malta, <strong>the sources of conflict are the same<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #ee6146;\">1. Slamming the front door early in the morning<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>You start work early? Your flatmates are <strong>sleeping<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>At first, they will be understanding. By day three: <strong>you are their public enemy number one<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>The rule:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Put your keys down quietly<\/li>\n<li>Hold the door instead of letting it slam<\/li>\n<li>Prepare your bag the night before to avoid morning chaos<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Remember: morning sleep is sacred. <strong>For them too.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #ee6146;\">2. Starting a washing machine at 11 p.m.<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>This is THE classic shared-flat mistake.<\/p>\n<p>You get home at 7 p.m., you could wash your clothes <strong>peacefully<\/strong>. But no. At 11 p.m., you suddenly realise you have no underwear left.<\/p>\n<p>So you start a wash. Half-asleep, you select <strong>the 3-hour programme<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>Your flatmates are trying to sleep one wall away.<\/p>\n<p><strong>The rule:<\/strong> washing machine = before 10 p.m. maximum. And don\u2019t forget to <strong>empty it the next morning<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-22713\" src=\"https:\/\/studandglobe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Design-sans-titre-43.webp\" alt=\"shared\" width=\"1215\" height=\"683\" srcset=\"https:\/\/studandglobe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Design-sans-titre-43.webp 1920w, https:\/\/studandglobe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Design-sans-titre-43-768x432.webp 768w, https:\/\/studandglobe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Design-sans-titre-43-1536x864.webp 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1215px) 100vw, 1215px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #ee6146;\">3. Finishing the toilet paper roll without replacing it<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>A classic. The ultimate lack of respect.<\/p>\n<p>You finish the roll. You leave <strong>the empty cardboard tube<\/strong>. Worse: you realise there is no toilet paper left in stock\u2026 and <strong>you say nothing<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>The next flatmate? They are about to experience <strong>an unforgettable lonely moment<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>The rule:<\/strong> you finish it = you replace it. And you add it to the shared shopping list.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #ee6146;\">4. Leaving your dishes in the sink for 3 days<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>An overflowing sink is <strong>the number one trigger for tension<\/strong> in a shared flat.<\/p>\n<p>Every flatmate denies responsibility. Everyone looks for the culprit. Peace starts to crumble.<\/p>\n<p><strong>The golden rule:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>You use a plate \u2192 you wash it straight away<\/li>\n<li>No \u201cI\u2019ll do it later\u201d<\/li>\n<li><strong>2 minutes<\/strong> now &gt; 1 hour of tension later<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>As <a href=\"https:\/\/www.spotahome.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Spotahome<\/strong><\/a> points out, dirty dishes are <strong>the number one cause of conflict<\/strong> in international shared flats.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #ee6146;\">5. Taking over your flatmate\u2019s fridge space<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The fridge in a shared flat is <strong>territory<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>When each flatmate has their own shelf, you <strong>respect the shelves<\/strong>. Your flatmate comes back from the supermarket and finds their compartment <strong>full of your leftovers<\/strong>? Immediate tension.<\/p>\n<p><strong>The rule:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Put your shopping in <strong>your<\/strong> space<\/li>\n<li>If you have no more room: give things away, throw things out, or ask a flatmate if they have space<\/li>\n<li><strong>Never take over fridge space without asking<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-22714\" src=\"https:\/\/studandglobe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Design-sans-titre-44.webp\" alt=\"shared\" width=\"1234\" height=\"694\" srcset=\"https:\/\/studandglobe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Design-sans-titre-44.webp 1920w, https:\/\/studandglobe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Design-sans-titre-44-768x432.webp 768w, https:\/\/studandglobe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Design-sans-titre-44-1536x864.webp 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1234px) 100vw, 1234px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #ee6146;\">6. Stealing food from the fridge, the Magnum syndrome<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Summer. Extreme heat. You get home from your internship. You open the freezer.<\/p>\n<p><strong>A Magnum.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>It is alone. It is tempting. It is calling your name.<\/p>\n<p>You eat it.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Fatal mistake.<\/strong> That Magnum was not yours. Your flatmate will eventually notice. And your last Kinder Bueno <strong>will probably disappear too<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>The rule:<\/strong> if it is NOT yours = do not touch it. Ask, or wait for your flatmate to offer.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #ee6146;\">7. Entering a flatmate\u2019s room without knocking<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>A closed door is <strong>a message<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>Whether your flatmate is <strong>working<\/strong>, <strong>getting changed<\/strong>, <strong>on a video call with their parents<\/strong> or <strong>doing something else<\/strong>, they are not expecting you to burst in like nothing happened.<\/p>\n<p><strong>The rule:<\/strong> knock. Wait for an answer. <strong>Always.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>It may seem obvious, but it is <strong>surprisingly often ignored<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #ee6146;\">8. Inviting 5 friends over without warning anyone<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>An improvised drinks night with 8 people on a Tuesday evening? <strong>Cool for you.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>For your flatmate who has an important interview the next morning at 9 a.m.? <strong>Not cool at all.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>The rule:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Give a heads-up <strong>at least 2-3 hours in advance<\/strong><\/li>\n<li>If you are organising a real party: tell everyone <strong>at least the day before<\/strong><\/li>\n<li>And <strong>clean up after yourself, <\/strong>see point 4<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>As <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gooverseas.com\/blog\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Go Overseas<\/strong><\/a> explains, <strong>clear communication,<\/strong> like a dedicated flatshare WhatsApp group, is the secret to shared flats that last.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #ee6146;\">Bonus: the tools that save a shared flat<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>A few simple apps can prevent <strong>95% of conflicts<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Splitwise<\/strong>: managing shared expenses<\/li>\n<li><strong>Tricount<\/strong>: splitting bills and groceries<\/li>\n<li><strong>Shared Google Calendar<\/strong>: visible events and schedules<\/li>\n<li><strong>Dedicated WhatsApp group<\/strong>: everything goes through it<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/housinganywhere.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>HousingAnywhere<\/strong><\/a> also recommends <strong>setting up a weekly cleaning schedule from day one<\/strong>. It sounds basic. It changes everything.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #ee6146;\">Why choose Stud&amp;Globe to support you?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Because we <strong>help you find a shared flat that suits you<\/strong> when you go abroad for an internship.<\/p>\n<p>In concrete terms, we help you:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Find an <strong>internship suited to your profile<\/strong><\/li>\n<li>Get guidance on <strong>housing and shared flats<\/strong> in your destination<\/li>\n<li>Connect with <strong>other interns<\/strong> already there<\/li>\n<li>Get support <strong>before, during and after your departure<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>You leave with <strong>peace of mind<\/strong>. You enjoy the experience. You come back with <strong>friends for life<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<div class=\"sg-btn-wrap\" style=\"text-align: center; margin: 32px 0;\"><a style=\"display: inline-block; background: #ee6146; color: #fff; padding: 14px 22px; border-radius: 50px; text-decoration: none; font-weight: 400;\" href=\"https:\/\/studandglobe.com\/en\/internship-abroad\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">\ud83d\ude80 APPLY NOW<\/a><\/div>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #ee6146;\">\u2b50 Ready to experience the best shared flat of your life?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>8 rules. None of them is rocket science. And <strong>all of them<\/strong> protect your peace.<\/p>\n<p>Shared living is also <strong>what makes your internship abroad unforgettable<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>So, what are you waiting for?<\/p>\n<\/article>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&nbsp; Living in a shared flat abroad: 8 things you should NEVER do Are you going abroad for an internship and planning to live in a shared flat? You can already congratulate yourself: it\u2019s probably the best way to meet people, share costs, and make your stay unforgettable. But be careful: living with flatmates also [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":22719,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"iawp_total_views":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[648],"tags":[796,814,827],"class_list":["post-22717","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-students","tag-intercultural-experience","tag-multicultural-experience","tag-student-life"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/studandglobe.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22717","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/studandglobe.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/studandglobe.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/studandglobe.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/studandglobe.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=22717"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/studandglobe.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22717\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":22727,"href":"https:\/\/studandglobe.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22717\/revisions\/22727"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/studandglobe.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/22719"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/studandglobe.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=22717"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/studandglobe.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=22717"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/studandglobe.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=22717"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}