Zahra Khozema found herself buried under a substantial debt of over £30,000 when she accepted an unpaid internship in London, one of the world’s most expensive cities. Despite being only 23 years old and pursuing a Master’s degree in journalism, she saw the opportunity to work at the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation’s international news bureau in London as too valuable to pass up, even with the financial challenges.
In 2019, Zahra, a determined individual, decided to tackle her financial burdens head-on while embracing the internship opportunity. Living in London, where the average rent was approximately £500 per month, proved to be a financial puzzle for the freelance journalist and podcast producer from Toronto.
To address the accommodation issue, Zahra opted for a creative solution by residing in a hostel. She secured a place at Bowden Court hostel in Notting Hill, where £80 per week provided her with a lower bunk in a room shared with three other women, along with two daily meals, laundry facilities, and access to a gym, all situated in one of the capital’s upscale neighborhoods.
“It was the most affordable option available. The room was quite small; with one person standing, it already felt cramped,” reminisces Zahra, now 30. “I encountered a diverse group of individuals at the hostel. There was a Japanese resident who offered haircuts, a British man who enjoyed painting portraits, numerous students, individuals from the EU working in retail and hospitality to learn English, and even a few British retirees.”
What started as a temporary fix blossomed into a year-long living arrangement as Zahra became deeply involved in the hostel community. Residents bonded through parties, language exchanges, and shared meals. Being an experienced traveler, Zahra felt at ease in hostel environments.
“Hostels often receive negative perceptions, especially when chosen as adult accommodation. I have frequently found hostels to be as hygienic as Airbnbs, and I actually prefer them over hotels,” she explains. Bowden Court maintained cleanliness with twice-daily cleaning, weekly bed linen changes, 24-hour security, and offered reduced rent for extended stays.
<p"Towards the end, my weekly expenses dropped to around £50 to £60," she reveals. Nonetheless, challenges persisted, such as the lack of privacy and limited storage space for personal belongings, which forced Zahra to cram all her possessions into a suitcase, bedside table, and a small wardrobe.
“Some residents personalized their spaces by adding furniture, matching beddings, curtains, plush pillows, and rugs,” she notes.
“There were no chairs in the room, and my roommate would sit on my bed. I prefer not to have outside garments on my bed, so I had to ask her to refrain. Moreover, there was no space for relaxing with a laptop or watching movies in the evening due to the bunk beds,” she shares.
“I spent a lot of time exploring the neighborhood, discovering empty coffee shops and parks where I could work for extended periods when I desired solitude. Meanwhile, my roommate began a relationship, and their activities on the top bunk while I was below, combined with the presence of two other women in the room, posed challenges,” Zahra adds.
“When the boyfriend stayed over, the bed structure would shift with his movements. Additionally, the food quality was inconsistent, hindering my ability to cook,” she laments.
Equipped with cleaning supplies, Zahra managed any impromptu tidying tasks during her hostel stay. While residing there, she secured a full-time communications role, enabling her to pay off her debts before returning to Canada.
“I could save a significant amount due to low living expenses at the hostel, especially with reduced social outings during the pandemic,” she reflects.
After a year, Zahra transitioned to a shared house with four former hostel mates, which felt luxurious compared to hostel living. Nonetheless, she holds her hostel experience dear.
“Overall, I have fond memories of that period. I made lifelong friends. When I arrived in the UK, I only had enough for a one-way ticket, but upon returning home after two years, I was debt-free. I am truly grateful for that opportunity,” she concludes.
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