Moving to University in Manchester was like moving to the unknown. The city was alive and energetic, but being a new student, far from home, I wanted more than just a place to sleep. I needed a place that felt like home; a place where I could grow, a place where I could feel safe and a place where I could create memories and connections that were not just going to fade away when I graduated. That place turned out to be Vita Student Circle Square at 8 Nobel Way, just off the iconic Oxford Road. In this lively student neighbourhood, surrounded by the University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University, I didn’t just find a place to live, I found a place to thrive.

The moment that I walked into Vita Student Circle Square, I could sense the positive energy that radiated through the building. The staff are particularly friendly and welcoming; they personally took me to my room when I arrived carrying my bags and chatting away friendly to help me to get settled in immediately. That little gesture immediately calmed down my nerves and made me feel genuinely cared for. It being a student accommodation it is easier to interact with your fellow residents as everyone is in the same boat. From the very first interaction I could tell that everyone who chose to live in Vita were working towards something meaningful, like everyone was trying to achieve a specific goal. Vita Student Circle Square isn’t bricks and mortar; it’s a community built for connection. The shared lounges, private dining room, cinema room and fully equipped gym soon became the setting for hilarious memories. I’ll never forget the movie night with my fellow residents that we laughed so much our sides hurt or the random workouts in the gym that turned into deep conversations about dreams and challenges. Through Vita’s regular events and the regular flow of student life, I made incredible friends from all over the world – many of whom were my accommodation mates and quickly became like family. We cooked meals together, explored hidden gems of Manchester, supported each other through exams and celebrated small victories. These friendships added an emotional dimension that I never expected – late-night conversations calming nerves, shared adventures provoking feelings of happiness and a brotherhood of friendship that made the university experience more interesting.

The accommodation has a blend of En-suite rooms as well as studios, my personal suggestion would be to go for a studio, I got really lucky with incredible flat mates and it’s definitely my favourite bit, very quickly after moving to a new country you find yourself in a bubble of never ending assignments, constant deadlines and weather that doesn’t exactly promote being outdoors , that can turn negative very quickly but a good friend group definitely helps to pull your mind back from those spaces. My stay here has made me understand that being secure is not only about having locks on doors; it is also about being emotionally rooted. Circle Square made me have the courage to go out there and enjoy the rich culture of Manchester knowing that I always have a home to go to. The fact that it was a short walk to lectures, city centre and transport connections meant I had more time to study, socialise and develop. Vita Student Circle Square is not just quality student living as I look back at my stay here. It is the place that I made lifelong friendships, where I felt emotionally safe in the turmoil of university and where I made memories that I will always have. When you are on the hunt to find a place that will cultivate your aspirations as well as your heart, then this is the place. Manchester was a home to me, and Circle Square was my real home.

Written by Urav Chhapia, a current MSc IME student.

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