Ernest Place Durham

Hi guys. I’ve been allocated to John Snow College at Durham (Ernest Place Accomodation). I was just wondering if this is a place primarily for international students and whether my uni experience may be hindered a bit by the location/ differing students in the accommodation. Obviously I have no issue with sharing with international students, however i just didn’t know whether i’d be the only UK student in the block😂.

Reply 1

DurhamRep Mia

Official Rep

6

Original post

by adamspoor

Hi guys. I’ve been allocated to John Snow College at Durham (Ernest Place Accomodation). I was just wondering if this is a place primarily for international students and whether my uni experience may be hindered a bit by the location/ differing students in the accommodation. Obviously I have no issue with sharing with international students, however i just didn’t know whether i’d be the only UK student in the block😂.

Hey, Ernest Place isn’t exclusively for international students. It’s an accommodation option used by a mix of students, including both UK and international students. While it’s true that some international students are drawn to Ernest Place, there’s no formal segregation as it’s part of the wider Durham student housing system.

As for your uni experience, being slightly further from the main college site might mean you’ll need to be a bit more proactive in joining college events and making connections. But John Snow College has a strong community vibe, and they actively encourage participation from all students, regardless of where they’re housed. Plus, the Ernest Place facilities are great for socialising and meeting people.

I actually live out of college this year as a postgrad close to Ernst Place and I don't feel segregated from my college community at all. If anything, it is nice to be so close to a huge retail park with plenty of options for groceries and shopping!

You shouldn't be the only UK student there, and your experience won’t be hindered as long as you dive into college life and make use of the social spaces and events. If anything, it could be a great way to broaden your circle and enjoy a more diverse student experience.

Hope this helps to reassure you.

Durham Rep, Mia

Reply 2

JohnSnowCollege

5

Original post

by adamspoor

Hi guys. I’ve been allocated to John Snow College at Durham (Ernest Place Accomodation). I was just wondering if this is a place primarily for international students and whether my uni experience may be hindered a bit by the location/ differing students in the accommodation. Obviously I have no issue with sharing with international students, however i just didn’t know whether i’d be the only UK student in the block😂.

Hello!

First of all, congratulations on your place and a very warm welcome to John Snow!

At Ernest Place this year we have a fantastic mix of students — both home and international, with the majority being undergraduates and a few postgraduates too. We’re lucky to have our very own dedicated “John Snow” block on site, but it’s important to remember that John Snow is much more than just a building — it’s a community. You’ll always be part of it, long after you leave our accommodation and even after you graduate. Many of our students also live in the local area, which really strengthens that sense of community.

We also share Ernest Place with students from other colleges, including a large number from South College, so they'll be your neighbours at either site. So, you’ll find yourself living alongside a similar mix of students across either of our sites.

For Freshers’ Week, we’ll be putting on transport to make sure you can easily get between Ernest Place and our Mount Oswald site for compulsory events, as well as for our other activities — whether that’s a big night at the bar, our welcome formals, or quieter events if that’s more your style.

Beyond Freshers’ Week, Ernest Place is fully included in college life. For example, our weekly Welfare Wednesday sessions will now be running at both Ernest Place and Mount Oswald — something we’re really excited about! As well as other events such as Tea with Our Vice Principal.

If you have any questions at all, please don’t hesitate to ask. I’ll be at Ernest Place myself on Sunday morning running our pop-up shop, where you can pick up wristbands, gowns, ties, and anything else you might need for Freshers’ Week and beyond. You’ll also see a mix of staff and our FREPs on site to help you settle in, move your things, and get everything sorted.

For more updates and information, I’d also really recommend following @john_snow_college and @johnsnowjcr on Instagram.

Kind regards, Ella

Ernest Place Durham

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