Study Overseas

Most if not all Colleges and Universities throughout the USA will provide or offer assistance in helping you find suitable accommodation for your first year of study. This may be through the form of on-campus accommodation or through offering advice in how to rent apartment close to campus.

On campus accommodation may suit every international students needs. However, renting an apartment may be more difficult when moving to an area of the USA that you don't know it may also be more expensive when adjusting to a new culture and its cost of living. It simply depends on your needs and your experience. Studying In America investigates....

Renting An Apartment

Renting an apartment does have its advantages, particularly if you are travelling with dependents. Not only are you able to find a place that fit's your needs, you can also have the space, the privacy and peace and quiet to fully commit to your studies.

Many international students who prefer to live in rented accommodation off-campus do so also because they simply want to throw themselves "in at the deep end" of the 'Study in America' experience. However, this usually tends to fall on older students who have a greater understanding of the USA culture and are experienced travelers.

This is because living off campus can have its pitfalls when learning about a new culture. For example, the additional costs of living off campus in your first year can mean that in addition to your accommodation costs you will also be dealing with separate bills for electricity, gas and water. In addition to this, you will also have to add on the additional travel expenses it will cost you to travel into college every day. Whilst this may only be a small amount each day it does add up to an additional bill that you will have to find the expenses to cover.

However, for those still determined to find their own place here is some advice on finding that perfect Apartment in the USA.

Looking For An Apartment

There are several ways to look for an apartment. You may look around the area where you would like to live. Many apartment buildings have "For Rent" or "Vacancy" signs displayed. The sign often includes phone numbers where you can call to obtain more information. Newspapers also list apartments for rent, usually including the size, location, and rent of each apartment. They sometimes list features as well. Other places to look are the Internet and apartment guides, which are usually free. You can also use the services of a rental agency. They can help you find a specific apartment for a fee

What To Keep In Mind

It is important to decide what you will be looking for. One concern is the apartment's location. You should make sure your apartment is close to where you go to college.

Safety is also very important. Look for an apartment in a safe neighborhood where you will feel secure and comfortable with your neighbors. Make sure all areas in the apartment building are well lighted. Find out how well the apartment building is taken care of. Ask the landlord or apartment manager who is responsible for making repairs in your apartment and if anyone makes repairs on weekends.

Types Of Apartments

You can rent private, semi-private, studio, or efficiency apartments. Private apartments are not connected to other apartments. Semi-private apartments are in buildings with other apartments. Studio apartments have one large room and a private bathroom. The large room has a kitchen area, a bedroom area, and a living area. An efficiency apartment is a studio apartment that includes furniture.

You can choose between a furnished and unfurnished apartment. Both furnished and unfurnished apartments usually include major kitchen appliances such as a stove and a refrigerator. Some apartments also have a dishwasher. Washers and dryers are usually located in a common area in the building and are operated with coins.

Extra Features

Extra features may include fireplaces, ceiling fans, carpets, etc. Some apartments include small yards or patios. Some buildings have storage space in basements or attics. Others may have swimming pools, tennis courts or gyms. Some apartments have parking lots or parking garages. Many landlords charge renters for parking spaces or garages. Other landlords offer free parking.

Rent, Lease & Sublease

You will be required to sign an agreement called a lease when you rent an apartment. You agree to live in an apartment for a certain length of time (usually a year) when you sign a lease. The landlord often cannot change the rent price until the lease is finished. A security deposit is also required at the time of signing a lease. It is usually the same amount as the rent payment for a month. Landlords return the deposits when the lease expires if renters do not damage the apartment. Utility costs such as water and electricity are not usually included in the rent payment.

Signing A Lease

Always read the lease carefully before you sign it, especially the fine print. Do not sign unless you understand and agree with its provisions. Make sure the lease includes important information such as rent amount and when it is due. It should state clearly what happens if a person breaks the lease and whether subleasing is allowed. The lease should list any features included in the rent payment such as utilities.

The lease should also include the amount of any security or pet deposits renters must pay. It also should state when renters would get their deposits back.

Renters' Responsibilities And Rights

If a renter breaks the rules of the lease, the landlord can force renters to move. They can also require you to pay rent for the full period of your lease. In the United States discrimination is against the law. For example, a landlord may discriminate by saying an available apartment has already been rented, or by not renting to families with children.

In the case of buildings with fewer than five apartments discrimination laws do not apply. The reason for this is that such small buildings are considered to be the landlords' homes. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) makes sure the landlords obey the law. If you believe you have been discriminated for whatever reason you should call them.

They can be contacted at:

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
451 7th Street S.W., Washington, DC 20410
Telephone: (202) 708-1112

On Campus Accommodation

On- Campus accommodation is heavily recommended for international students who are studying in America or abroad for the first time. Not only will you be able to enjoy a fully rounded student experience you can adjust to a new culture with other international students under the protective shelter of the university or College with help only a few minutes away. Rather than take our word for it Studying In America talks to Kanami Shimizu, an international student from Japan who is studying Psychology at Gwynedd Mercy College in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, about her experiences in living on campus in the States.

How did you find out about the accommodation on your campus?
When I originally came to the states to study I chose to study an ESL program at Gwynedd Mercy College. During this time I was able to find out information about the dormitory's here. They seemed very reasonable so I decided to 'live in'. Once you have been accepted into a university they should send you information about accommodation options.

When you arrived, what was your room like?
Gwynedd Mercy has recently replaced its dormitory's with bigger rooms. However, when I arrived and stayed in the older 'smaller' dormitories they seemed very nice. Compared to my college in Japan, the rooms were a little wider and they had a big closet, which gave me all the storage space I needed. There was also a simple bunk bed made out of wood, which was nice. When you first arrive your room can seem a little bare, however with a few posters and personal touches it can soon become quite homely!

What would you recommend students to bring with them - from personal to useful?
Apart from the obvious things like your own bedding, posters personal items and your own basic kitchen equipment for those late night snacks, I would recommend you to buy a TV and a VCR because I have found that sometimes I really want to see my own country's films. Also, watching TV helps international student to improve their English and also their listening skills. However, if the international student finds it difficult to understand what is being said, on some TV's you can choose a program that shows the sentences of what the person is saying. This also helps my reading skills.

What are the facilities like?
They are very good. You have everything that you could possibly need to make your time here comfortable. Each dormitory has a lounge area with a TV and sofa. This is a place to chat with dormitory students and to make friends. There is also a small kitchen area with a microwave for snacks and the bathrooms have a bath as well as showers on offer. All these facilities, as well as your food from the canteen, are included in the price so you are not paying any extra electricity bills. The housekeeper cleans these facilities every day however, it is up to you how tidy you keep your room!

If you have any problems or any questions about your room, whom do you ask?
First of all, I will talk with RA (Residence Assistant) The RA is in charge of the floor. Usually three or four times per semester, the RA will have a 'floor meeting' where you can bring up any complaints and discuss them. It is the job of the RA to help you solve any problems. If the problem is personal, like with a roommate, then I will definitely talk to the RA first. However, if they cannot help me then they will usually recommend that I have a talk with the Director of Residence Life who oversees all problems for students on campus. No matter what your problem there is always someone there to help so don't be afraid to ask!

What are the main advantages to living on campus?
This answer may change from person to person. Some people may say it helps them save money, its convenient, it's a protected environment. For me, as well as these there are three main advantages to living on campus.

TIME - If I want to take a nap I can easily go back to my room and sleep. I can also sleep ten minutes before my class where as if I lived off-campus I would have to commute and have to get up a lot earlier

EXCHANGE (Class info) - If I am absent at my class I can ask my classmates who live in my dormitory for any work that I may have missed. Also if there is a test coming up we can exchange information and revise together.

FRIENDS - the dormitories are so friendly, I find it really easy to make friends.

What are the main disadvantages to living on campus?
It really depends on what sort of things you like. Sometimes it can be very noisy until midnight and also there can be a lack of privacy. I share a room and this can be the case for many students. If you want to have some time on your own without your roommate then it can be hard.

What is your accommodation plans for next year?
I think I will stay on campus because the advantages far out way the disadvantages. Not only is it cheaper but also 'living in' buys me time to do the things I want.

Would you recommend other international Students to live on campus?
It is very much a personal choice. If the international student wants to have lots of American friends and to save money then I recommend living on campus. However, if the student would miss there own food then I would recommend them to live in an apartment since we cannot cook in our dormitory.

What will you miss about living on campus?
The people I have met and also the flexibility with time that on campus accommodation can give me, which I really like!

The Verdict

RENTING V ON-CAMPUS ACCOMMODATION

Finding suitable accommodation is simply a matter of looking at what your needs are and above all your priorities. If you consider yourself to be an experienced traveller then renting an apartment may well be the way to go. However, if you would like to focus all your attention in your first year to adjusting to living and learning in the USA then Studying in America recommends that you take the offer of on-campus accommodation as quickly as possible! For those colleges who do not provide on-campus accommodation try and find out who the housing advisor is on campus who can help you choose a suitable apartment close to campus in a safe area.