David Russell Apartments postgraduate accommodation

So my name is Ling, I'm from Malaysia, and I've been in DRA for about three years now.

And it's really funny because actually most of my close friends are all from DRA, and I knew them through mainly the events that the DRA committee has hosted in the Bistro.

And most of my close friends now we met from actually pool and table tennis tournaments.

For me, because I am part of the DRA committee, I feel like the student experience is really richer.

First of all, we have so many students of diverse backgrounds.

And not only that, but we also have a huge population.

So I think it is a chance to get to know everyone, and that's one of the best things I love about DRA.

DRA, mainly you can choose to be catered or self-catered.

And for those who are catered, we are provided breakfast and dinner on the weekdays and breakfast and lunch on the weekends.

And honestly, I feel as someone who has been used to school lunches, that DRA provides actually one of the best school catered meals I've ever had.

So we mainly have the Bistro area where there is a pool and table tennis table.

And furthermore, there are rooms that you can book, such as the cinema room that people usually use to study, have meetings or watch movies, obviously.

And we also have a music room where you can practice the piano, guitar and whatever, everything is provided in the room.

So for me, I live in a flat with five other people.

So I do not share a bathroom, but I do share the kitchen.

And I think for the studio, you don't share your kitchen nor your bathroom.

And for the shared rooms, I think you do share the bathroom, but you have your own room that you either have one other person with.

DRA is about a 20-minute walk from a town to and fro.

But there is also buses that you can take directly from DRA to the town that really helps if you're not a fan of walking.

But we are relatively close to the Sports Centre.

I would say less than 10 minutes it would take me to reach the Sports Centre, which I think is nice.

We have two laundry locations, and the one is located in DRA itself and the other one is located in Fife Pars, so you never really have competition to use it.

If you are someone who hasn't been away from home, bring a few items that really make you feel home and safe, because that's what I struggled with when I first came here.

In terms of making friends and everything, you don't have to worry about that because there are so many people in St Andrews that will make you feel so happy.