“My second family” – that is the way that many residents describe their relationship to those with whom they share a kitchen. A large portion of residence hall living is spent in the kitchen where a lot of other things are going on other than just cooking. But as in all families, people are different and thus there are also challenges to be faced in the common kitchen.
“The best part of living at Tietgen is the life in the kitchen. I appreciate having someone to come home to. That there are lovely people with whom you can share your day. It’s really like a sort of family. I have lived here for three years and obviously we have our little ups and downs but you would experience the same in a real family. We get along really well – we have already planned going to the island of Samsø together this summer.” Kasper, resident
A close relationship
At Tietgenkollegiet there are 12 rooms (of this one double room) connected with one kitchen. It’s something very special to live so closely together with people as you do when sharing a kitchen in a residence hall where things are often done together: hanging out, fun, talking about studies, eating, and watching TV. You get close to each other in a completely different way than if you e.g. only are students together.
Met with a smile
In the kitchen, you share both joys and sorrows. Many residents describe the best thing as the fact that someone is always there ready with a smile in the morning or with caring concern asking how you feel when you are down. Simply put, you care about one another which can be a great joy and support in your daily life.
Each kitchen’s own traditions
Even though all kitchens as such are the same, they are still very different because the people living there using the kitchen put their stamp on it. In some kitchens, there are organised common dinners almost every night while other kitchens are more spur of the moment in their approach.
However, some traditions are upheld in all kitchens, including the residence hall classic Tour des Chambres (colloquially referred to as TDC) where you go round to all rooms that on the occasion have been decorated with each its inventive theme.
Challenges in everyday life
When up to 13 different people with different backgrounds, attitudes, and opinions have to live together, it will invariably create challenges. Many residents are faced with different attitudes towards everything from washing dishes to politics and it is not always easy to form a synthesis.
Thus, in many kitchens there are regular meetings where “the rules of the game” are discussed and a solution worked out regarding issues that may arise. All this is also part of residence hall living and something of which you have to expect to be part.