Choosing student accommodation abroad: The basics

Posted date: 10 Jun 2020

Understanding where you will be staying when you are studying abroad is very important as it can have an effect on how much you enjoy studying in another country. If you live anywhere you don't like, or you don't feel comfortable anywhere, this may make you feel down on your overall experience. However, if you live with people that you get along well and feel comfortable with, you can focus on your studies and make friends in the process for a lifetime.

Accommodation is crucial, but it isn't one of the most important things you should be agonizing about when deciding where to study abroad. All universities will have an array of accommodation options to choose from depending on the preferences and budget of a student. It can be a factor in which university you are studying when deciding between two or more, but it shouldn't be at your forefront. Accommodation will probably be something that concerns your parents and family in terms of your safety and comfort. 

Your biggest decisions, however, should always be a) what to study and b) where to study-remember that. When deciding where to study, do not hesitate to ask about accommodation options but make sure you pay more attention to the course and college.

Accommodation on campus is usually composed of various buildings with single or shared rooms similar to an apartment building. Across America, shared rooms (or "dorms") are more common. Typically, these rooms will include a bed, desk, and storage space (sometimes a small sink will appear). A floor will usually share the facilities of a kitchen , bathroom and social area though it depends on the accommodation layout. Such spaces will be shared by approximately four to twelve students in what will resemble an apartment or dorm. The accommodation may often take the shape of a house with a similar arrangement.

Off-campus hosting, meanwhile, can take many forms. This may be a university-run residential hall with similar apartment blocks with shared facilities, or one run by a third party organization for international students particularly. International students can also rent a house or flat from a third party agent or landlord, sharing with up to six other people; the university can recommend reputable agents and landlords who have previously housed students, and there may even be a campus housing fair somewhere in the year. If foreign students would like a slightly different experience living in another country, they can also choose a home stay choice where they live in their own home with a host family, paying rent for a room; this can be a great option if you want to develop your language skills or see what family life in another country really is like.

Overall though, think about how you live and bear in mind that this can be different from how others live (especially if you are an international student). Stick up late? Are you planning a lot of party and socialization, or are you focusing on your studies? What sorts of people are you getting on with? Think these through and make a decision for your accommodation abroad.

Posted By

GSP Admin