Weighing your housing options for study abroad

Deciding where to live while studying abroad can be stressful — should you live in an apartment, a dorm or with a family? (Photo by Stockbyte)

When preparing for a semester abroad, housing options may not be the first thing on the minds of students more occupied with thoughts of food, travel and culture, but it is a factor that can affect a students experience on a daily basis, and it can be one of the most gratifying aspects if it is given the exploration that it deserves.

One of the main reasons students neglect to fully consider the different housing options is that they may not know what options are available as alternatives to the one chosen for them by their program.

Each student studying abroad has three basic housing options: dormitory housing, home stay or apartment rental. Each provides students with a different experience, and individuals should consider the differences and weigh their options before they head over seas.

Dorm style housing is most common in countries like Australia and New Zealand where the college experience is most similar to that of the United States. University life in Europe is generally lacking the college campus feeling that is familiar to American students, so it is less common to find dormitory housing provided by European host universities. However, it is possible if travelers do their homework before hand.

For example, students studying abroad in Paris have the option of living at Cite International Universitaire de Paris, an international student housing campus that has been providing foreigners with single occupancy dorm and studio style living alternatives since the 1920s. It is made up of 40 different houses and hosts nearly 10,000 residents annually from over 140 different countries.

Living in a dorm abroad can provide a comfortable lifestyle for students who are used to having the freedom to come and go as they please, stay up as late as they’d like, and have guests at all hours.

However, issues with dorms abroad are similar to those at home. Dorm-dwellers can be plagued by bad roommates, noisy neighbors, and can fall victim to bad habits like skipping class, eating poorly and not sleeping enough.

Students living in non-English speaking countries will find that one of the biggest issues with dorm life is that, when they would otherwise be forced to speak the local language through interactions with a host family or community, they find it easier to speak English in conversation with other students, and therefore miss out on a key aspect of language immersion.

A better option for students looking to truly engage themselves in the language and culture is to live with a family native to their country. Home stays provide students with a first hand experience of daily life in another country. Home-cooked meals, host siblings and a family pet can create a comfortable living environment, which can often ease the occasional bout of homesickness.

Annie Chan, a junior currently studying in Paris, says that living with a host family has had a significant influence on her ability to learn the language, and it has also taught her valuable life lessons.

“It has opened me up to a different culture and forced me to grow up,” said Chan. “It’s really the best way to learn a language and experience another culture.”

However, living with a host family can have its downsides. Olivia Kim, a junior from North Carolina State University, found it difficult to adjust to the lack of freedom while living with a host.

“You miss a little more independence than if you live in an apartment,” said Kim. Students may find themselves missing out on the ease of meeting other students and participation in nightlife that are enjoyed by those who opt for dorms or apartments.

As a middle ground between dorm room and host family, apartment rentals are an attractive option for students looking for the amenities of home with the freedom of college.

Benjamin Ulrey, a junior from San Diego State, found living in his studio apartment to be a good mix of cultural immersion and a comfortable home life.

“As soon as you walk into a private building, it becomes a much more inviting atmosphere,” said Ulrey. “You get to know the local baker, you speak the language, even if it’s just saying ‘hello.’”

But with the independence of apartment life come the responsibility of apartment upkeep, and the increased privacy can be a barrier between students and their hosting community.

Aileen Roberts, a junior from the University of Connecticut, found renting a house in Brisbane, Australia to be difficult at times.

“It has occasionally made me feel excluded, like entering a huge university your freshman year and living by yourself,“ said Roberts. “Plus I have to worry about groceries, garbage nights, house cleaning and maintenance issues.”

And problems with repairs can be particularly difficult for students still learning the local language.

All potential for issues aside, the study abroad experience is undoubtedly one of the most rewarding opportunities available to college students. But before making a decision about housing, students should assess and prioritize factors like commitment to cultural immersion, importance of meeting the local community versus importance of meeting other students, as well as their dedication to the language, before deciding which option will provide them with the most enjoyable experience. No matter what decisions are made, a student’s time abroad will be one of the most educational, exciting and memorable experiences of their college career.