Benefits of USA -
Education System -
Entry Requirements
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Scholarships
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Admission Procedure
Universities - Visa Procedure -
Accommodation
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Pre-Departure Info
Accommodation
The first decision that you need to make regarding
housing is whether you will be living on campus or off
campus. Some small schools and some schools in large
cities do not offer any on-campus housing. These are
usually referred to as “commuter schools” because all
students need to commute to school everyday. Both
living on campus and off campus have benefits. Read
the information below to determine which is best for
you.
On campus
One major benefit of living on campus is you will have
easy access to everything the school has to offer. You
can go to the libraries, the sporting facilities, and
computer centers at your convenience. All will be
within walking (or at least cycling) distance. Another
convenience is the school cafeteria. Most schools
offer affordable meal plans to students who live on
campus, since on-campus residences do not have kitchen
facilities. On-campus housing can also be cheaper,
depending on where the school is situated. If a school
is located in a suburban area, it may be difficult to
find apartments close by. And if the school is located
in a large city, you will find that it can be
competitive and expensive to find any apartments at
all.
Another benefit of on-campus housing is safety.
College campuses are patrolled 24 hours a day by the
schools’ own security forces. Living alone in an area
with which you are not familiar may not always be the
safest choice. A final benefit is the relationships
you will develop by living closely with your fellow
students. Not only will you most likely have a
roommate, but you will also be surrounded by hundreds
of other students. You will never be lonely, making
the transition to a new country much easier.
Most university housing consists of dormitories, also
called “residence halls.” Typically two students will
share a room. There will be one or more bathroom and
shower facilities on each floor that will be shared by
all students living on that floor. Some universities
offer residence halls that cater to specific
interests, such as an “international house” for
students who want to learn more about other cultures.
Often there are also halls for first year students
only, for graduate students only, and for women only.
Off campus
Some colleges and universities do not provide
on-campus housing. Still others do provide housing,
but it is not sufficient (and therefore not
guaranteed) for all their students. Often there will
be an off-campus housing office to assist students in
finding an appropriate place to live. The office will
help students find a compatible roommate to share
expenses and will also provide information about the
local neighborhoods, including what restaurants,
shops, and public transportation are accessible.
Many international students, particularly graduate
students, prefer the independence of living off
campus. They feel that it also creates fewer
distractions and gives them more privacy. Sometimes
living off campus can be more affordable, particularly
if you rent a house and find several roommates to
share it with. You will also find that food costs may
be lower, since you will be doing your own cooking.
(Having access to a kitchen is an added benefit for
students who miss their local dishes.) Don’t forget to
calculate what you will need to pay for transportation
and utilities, such as electricity and local telephone
service, when figuring the cost of living off campus.
