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United Kingdom8629 Posts
It has been over a month since I have known I will be studyting university in Edinburgh.
It also has been a month since I have known that I em not eligible for student accomodation since I am going to second year straight. And guess what? I started to actively look for a place to stay this friday, when my course starts on 27th.
Unsurprisingly, the only few relatively cheap flats I have visited since then have been
A) In totally undesirable area (40+ minutes from my campus, locations with one pub and pensioners etc.)
B) Tiny - Since I live in this country and keep all stuff I own in this world on me, I need more than 3x3 metres of life space
C) With boring occupiers - 'No parties are happening over here, you have to be tidy completely and make no noise because of neighbours and your flatmates' kind of places
D) Expensive - To get the same flat in Edinburgh as in 8k town where I live is roughly for double rent...
So anyway I am lurking through adverts and than I see This offer, which struck my eyes immediately:
+ Show Spoiler + Hey, we are three French students and we are looking for a flatmate (not French please) for 9 month (until june 2009). We are one male (20 years old), and two female (20 years old), and we will study in Napier University, Merchiston Campus, on Transport Management.
We have a fullyfunished flat on 558 Mornhouse road (the distance between University and this flat is around 15 min pedestrian). The property have an entrance hallway with all rooms off, good sized separate dining kitchen to the rear and a large, bright and spacious lounge to the front, 4 double bedrooms, and bathroom with electric shower over bath.
The rent is £300 pcm, and the deposit is only £325 (+ £35,25 agency fees the first month). The deposit will be given back at the end of the contract.
We would like a student person, who doesn’t smoke, sociable.
The unique viewing is the 17th Wednesday of September at 7.00pm
My prompt Email looked like this:
+ Show Spoiler +Salut Steven!
I have found your advertisement on Accomodation for students for the Morningside flat, and I abolutely love the offer.
I am 21 year old Czech guy, and was studying College for two years in Fife. I am going straight for a second year in Business Studies at Napier. I am a non-smoker, very serious in doing Business and my Projects, but I also love to ease up in my freetime!
My two best friends in the first year of college were French, and I just loved their humour and upbeat attitude towards everything. If you guys are anything like them, I have no worries of boredom and us getting along well. But fear not, I do not speak French very well apart from few phrases I can't use when talking to strangers - so our English conversation skills would definitely improve.
Please let me know VIA email or on my mobile phone 07526762666 if I can join you for the viewing Tomorrow.
Looking forward to hearing from you,
My name ;o
And To this I have received a reply:
Hey guy,
Thank you very much for your email.
Ok for tomorrow afternoon.
The exact adress is : 666 Bujakasha road, KGB8, Edinburgh.
But there will be few people, so we will make a selection.
Your profile is very interesting for us.
We see you tomorrow at 7.00pm.
Now, I have had a few job Interviews, written a SuperB personal statement, but this informal kind of thing kind of freaks me out...
In a regular interview, you prepare your demands, why the company needs you and how would you benefit from the company appointing you, you make your homework and strike with perfect knowledge of all the company's subdivisions and interests along with possible critique if you know of some.
But this IS NOT a regular interview. I don't know who am I approaching and I have never been in such situation... Being too much prepared may make me look like a nerd, and can cease the friendly atmosphere thatt should be put on with your flatmates.
However it still IS like a tender, as I will be competing against other people...
So, should I just go there, bring the deposit and leave it to destiny? Wear some ol' Tee and just be myself?
Or prepare hard, find out info about the area, greet them in flawless french phrases, dress decently and generally put the Business Game thinking on track?
I really want this flat (Providing its anything like they described), but I also want to find out how we get on when I don't try.
I ask you, informal people skills masters, to help me!
(Phone Numbers and names of places have been changed to keep privacy and even more people from wanting the flat ;o
 
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Tell them you're interested in group sex, I hear the French like that. Menage a quatre, or whatever.
Enjoy your new apartment
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I know it's a fucking hassle I'm looking for a new flat here at the moment. Btw what do you study? I'm doing mechanical engineering. Every flat that is in a decent area seems to be like "professional, non smoker, over 30" or female only -_-
And as for what to do for this interview just turn up answer whatever questions they have and ask some yourself I guess.
Edit:And I suspect I know what you mean by "Mornhouse Road" ^^
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Belgium9950 Posts
They want a sociable person. Don't go all business. Be social.
Pronounce anti-american feelings. the french love that. Oh and say you love dancing. 2 french chicks will dig that.
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I would imagine if there's a few people up for selection then do what the roman do. Initiate the possibility of renting apartment w/ the people that are there. That's of course if you don't get chosen, and are left without options. Trying tell to the others of other possible options don't be limited to what's on the table.
I personally would get a haircut and that dress shirt looks good. Also be very sociable and approach able don't ever distance yourself from them. Bring humor to the table because if there's a girl on the selection group your chances might be reduced since she's a girl (hopefully ugly though).
PS: remember to have options.
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I agree with the above post. humor is good, as long as its not awkward or forced. Friendly eye contact, and a socialable attitude. I wouldn't try speaking to them in French, it might come off wrong. Just be friendly, laugh, and ask a few questions that they can easily answer. It shows interest, creates a communication bond, and doesnt lead to awkward unanswerable questions
(which might lead them to someone else)
Anyway goodluck!
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Just tell them you're from team liquid....
I don't see the problem here.
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only thing I can suggest is smile. A nice sincere smile makes you a person they'll want to see everyday. Seriously, smiling is the first step to inner peace.
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1 guy and 2 girls, hmmmmmmmm.
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United Kingdom8629 Posts
LOL! too much stress for nothing. I was the only one that showed up!
There is one pair, and one blonde single kinda cute french girl. I don't have to tell you the social pressure between us when the other two will get on it ;o
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On September 18 2008 07:55 Elvin_vn wrote:
pix?
lol
Judging from where I think that address is you're like 15 minutes from me I think ^^
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United Kingdom8629 Posts
On September 17 2008 07:52 jello_biafra wrote:
I know it's a fucking hassle I'm looking for a new flat here at the moment. Btw what do you study? I'm doing mechanical engineering. Every flat that is in a decent area seems to be like "professional, non smoker, over 30" or female only -_-
And as for what to do for this interview just turn up answer whatever questions they have and ask some yourself I guess.
Edit:And I suspect I know what you mean by "Mornhouse Road" ^^
I don't know if you got it right, but I will live on MorningSide road, study at Craiglockhart! What about you ? And Where can I find some iCafe's where only BW is played ?
Anyway i did my preparations. Remembered all their names, revived names of places I have visited in France and what I liked about them, all articles in FT I read about France, looked what is it they are studying and why is is great -.-- . Asked a friend for a couple french phrases, googled the area to know interesting facts about it, and set up questions for the Property Agent about the flat. Worked out pretty nicely.
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On September 18 2008 17:58 LemOn wrote:Show nested quote +On September 17 2008 07:52 jello_biafra wrote:
I know it's a fucking hassle I'm looking for a new flat here at the moment. Btw what do you study? I'm doing mechanical engineering. Every flat that is in a decent area seems to be like "professional, non smoker, over 30" or female only -_-
And as for what to do for this interview just turn up answer whatever questions they have and ask some yourself I guess.
Edit:And I suspect I know what you mean by "Mornhouse Road" ^^ I don't know if you got it right, but I will live on MorningSide road, study at Craiglockhart! What about you ? And Where can I find some iCafe's where only BW is played ? Anyway i did my preparations. Remembered all their names, revived names of places I have visited in France and what I liked about them, all articles in FT I read about France, looked what is it they are studying and why is is great -.-- . Asked a friend for a couple french phrases, googled the area to know interesting facts about it, and set up questions for the Property Agent about the flat. Worked out pretty nicely.
I actually live very near Craiglockart at the moment but I will be moving very soon I think. I study at edinburgh university in George Square. There is no icafe where BW is the only game played unfortunately and I only know of one place where you can play it, The Ministry of Gaming, which is on Bread Street in the centre of town. And yes that was where I suspected it was ^^
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On September 18 2008 09:44 jello_biafra wrote:lol Judging from where I think that address is you're like 15 minutes from me I think ^^
i'm in harborne / selly oak?
0_0
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On September 18 2008 22:15 Elvin_vn wrote:Show nested quote +On September 18 2008 09:44 jello_biafra wrote:On September 18 2008 07:55 Elvin_vn wrote:
pix? lol Judging from where I think that address is you're like 15 minutes from me I think ^^ i'm in harborne / selly oak? 0_0
I was talking about LemOn 
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Just relax and be friendly, don't be all "business-y" because then they'll just think you're uptight.
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United Kingdom8629 Posts
On September 18 2008 21:22 jello_biafra wrote:Show nested quote +On September 18 2008 17:58 LemOn wrote:On September 17 2008 07:52 jello_biafra wrote:
I know it's a fucking hassle I'm looking for a new flat here at the moment. Btw what do you study? I'm doing mechanical engineering. Every flat that is in a decent area seems to be like "professional, non smoker, over 30" or female only -_-
And as for what to do for this interview just turn up answer whatever questions they have and ask some yourself I guess.
Edit:And I suspect I know what you mean by "Mornhouse Road" ^^ I don't know if you got it right, but I will live on MorningSide road, study at Craiglockhart! What about you ? And Where can I find some iCafe's where only BW is played ? Anyway i did my preparations. Remembered all their names, revived names of places I have visited in France and what I liked about them, all articles in FT I read about France, looked what is it they are studying and why is is great -.-- . Asked a friend for a couple french phrases, googled the area to know interesting facts about it, and set up questions for the Property Agent about the flat. Worked out pretty nicely. I actually live very near Craiglockart at the moment but I will be moving very soon I think. I study at edinburgh university in George Square. There is no icafe where BW is the only game played unfortunately and I only know of one place where you can play it, The Ministry of Gaming, which is on Bread Street in the centre of town. And yes that was where I suspected it was ^^
Good JoB!
Today I was going to sign the papers for the flat and then I just infiltrated undercover some Fresher's Edi uni only party at Library Bar with speed mating lol. Most of them were 4th year maths students, and thanks to the rules from the movie Wedding Crashers my cover was not broken.
Hopefully I will pull out something simmilar tomorrow, having two freshers weeks is kinda cool >_<
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