When people discuss hostels or dormitories, the focus is usually on the hostels/dorms for students at public universities, and the problems they face are often discussed. But the struggles faced by private university students rarely come up. 

One reason for this is most private universities do not have hostels of their own, leading students to live in institutional hostels run by private companies. These hostels house thousands of students, yet their living conditions remain largely questionable. 

From the outside, these hostels may seem well managed with their clean lobbies, fixed meal packages and safety systems. However, when you step inside and talk to the students, a very different picture emerges. Their stories reveal deep frustrations with a system that so many students depend on. 

A typical day

Life in a hostel is different for every resident yet interconnected in many ways. When so many people share a room, it is hardly ever a quiet, peaceful morning. Especially when even simple things like showering require careful timing. 

As Shumi explained, “Sometimes it is difficult to find the washroom empty, so we all have to keep that in mind and plan our timing carefully.” Instead of a calm morning, it begins with a rush to get ready, collect meals and find time and a place to study. Students are constantly adjusting their schedules around each other, which can be very stressful. 

Collecting meals 

Food is a major issue in almost every hostel. Meals are provided but most students are unhappy with the quality and system. Shumi also explained her experience in this matter: “I try to collect my breakfast timely. If you are late, it can be a hassle to get food or you have to stand in a long line, which takes time.” 

But even when you get the food, the taste and quality are often disappointing. While Shumi admitted that she sometimes cooks for herself or buys extra food from outside, another hostel resident, Sajid, suggested hostels should add diverse foods to their three-time meal menus. Food is not just about taste, it also affects health and energy. Hence, ensuring the quality should be of utmost priority. 

Curfew and safety 

Different hostels have different rules and regulations about curfews. While some are very strict, others are completely relaxed. Both situations come with problems. Shenjuty’s current hostel has no curfews. She said, “There are no curfews in our hostel. Sometimes issues happen among girls but they resolve on their own.” 

While this type of freedom is nice, lenient security can also create safety concerns. Sajid shared a concerning experience. “Shockingly, a person in our hostel was accused of theft. He probably stole some cash out of greed from his roommate and it really made me think about my own security.” 

On the other hand, strict curfews and rules can also be unfair. Shenjuty remembered her old Christian hostel, which had very tight rules. She reflected, “One time I was late because I used to work at Aarong and my shift ended late that day but the hostel staff refused to open the gate. I had to stay at my brother’s place that night.” Shenjuty was lucky to have close relatives nearby but most of others would have been in great trouble if they were in her situation. These stories show how there is an imbalance of freedom and safety in institutionalized hostels. 

Overcrowding and lack of cleanliness

One of the biggest problems of these hostels is overcrowding and lack of space. These institutionalisaed hostels do not have the space that public university hostels are allocated, leading to cramped rooms and a packed living environment. 

Esha described it clearly, “Sharing a room with three or four people is challenging as everybody has their own belongings and privacy is very limited.” This type of overcrowding makes even the basic living things difficult, cleanliness being one of the constant struggles. 

Shumi reflected on this issue by saying, “Whenever we inform the authorities about issues related to cleanliness, they fix it but the problems keep coming back.” Similarly, Esha pointed out another related aspect, “There are only two cleaners and one cook in my hostel and this is not enough for us.” Limited staff and limited space are what these students are dealing with on a daily basis on top of academic stress.

Can students actually study? 

Hostels are not just living space but they are also meant to help students focus on studies. But the environment is not always helpful. On this, Shenjuty had to say, “At nighttime, you could not study in my previous hostel, as they closed the study room at bedtime.” 

Students often have to work around noise, limited space and strict schedules. They cannot even study properly because the staff wants us to go to bed early. When we talk about the decline of academic results among Bangladeshi students, we have to take into account these struggles as well. How can a nation improve when the living condition of students is in this state? 

Advise for new hostel residents 

Despite all the problems, hostels are the places students all over the country have to live in for various reasons. For many private university students, hostel life is not a choice but a necessity. It will never feel exactly like home but if the staff and owner tried, they could improve the environment of the building and make it feel somewhat home-like. 

And for new students, Sajid offered great advice: “A student must be aware of the hostel’s policies in detail. Secondly, he must inquire whether there are any intoxicated groups involved in the hostel or not. A new student must also be sure about his affordability with the changing schemes of the hostels.”

He continues. “And the façade of most hostels is represented by the well-furnished lobbies; however, the rooms tell a different story. The rooms are not tantamount to the beauty of the lobbies, which cannot be imagined by an outsider unless he visits the rooms of a hostel at least once.”

Happy living to all resilient and enduring hostel residents. May the odds be ever in your favour.