If you are an international student, getting accepted into the university of your dreams is only the first step in completing your college journey in the U.S. While the excitement of moving to a new country can be exhilarating, many students are also concerned about finding the right place to live. Even though most schools provide on-campus housing, some local colleges might not, which means students would have to look for other housing options. If you are an international student who is looking for a place to live, why not explore these housing options!
Exploring Housing Options
1. Dorms
The most popular form of housing for newly admitted international students is on-campus dormitories, also known as dorms. One of the biggest advantages of the dorms is their closeness to the campus, since students can usually walk to their classes from where they live within minutes. At the same time, dorms have meal plans (at an extra expense) that can provide up to 3 meals a day. While dorms are the simple solution to student housing, not every university or college has dormitories, especially local community colleges. At the same time, dorms usually cost more than living off-campus, such as renting an apartment that is outside of the school.
2. Off-campus housing
Nowadays, many students choose to live off-campus because it is more affordable to live outside of the school. According to the Average University System Case Study, the estimated cost to live on campus has risen by more than $1000 over the last five years. By living off-campus, you will have more freedom, since many dorms do not allow students to bring friends or guests over. Another advantage of living off-campus is that you have more control over who you live with, since most students do not have the option in choosing their dorm mates from school. Even though living off-campus can be more affordable, students should also take other fees into consideration, such as such as utility, electricity, food and travel/commuting.
3. Homestay
Another form of housing that is becoming more popular for international students is homestay. Recently, more and more international students desire an environment with more English speakers, even if dorms and apartments are readily available. Interaction with native speakers in their residences helps students improve their English skills faster, especially when you can have the opportunity to stay in someone’s home. According to Cynthia Fox, owner of International Housing Placement Service, says that homestay host families not only provide a place for international students to live but also to “participate in cultural exchange and open up their lives to them.” Therefore, if you are someone who really wants to experience what is like living in an American household, homestay might be a good option for you.
Where to find the resources?
Every school has a housing office to assist students in finding a place to stay for either the academic year, both for undergraduates and graduate students. Students can contact their international student advisor for information regarding both on-campus and off-campus housing.
International student associations also have resources about housing and apartment rental on their websites. Students can contact their student association for house rental information. Students can also explore their neighborhood to see if any apartments are available to be rented. Most apartments have the rental contact information on front of the door, and they usually require no brokerage fee.
Another important thing for every international student to remember is being insured under a health insurance. No matter where you live, you always need to make sure that you have a safety net to fall back on in case accidents or illnesses occur. ISO Student Health Insurance is one of the biggest insurance companies that provide affordable plans for international students. If you are an incoming international student who is still not insured, you should definitely have one, in order to have a smoother college journey in the U.S.
