Studying abroad presents a plethora of exciting opportunities for aspiring international students. However, finding the right student accommodation abroad can be quite a challenge. Since the living experience affects almost every area of a student’s life, they need to choose a stay that aligns with their needs, budget and lifestyle.
So, to help them set their priorities straight and make an informed decision, we have compiled a list of top steps they can follow to get the answers to how to find a place to stay abroad. Let’s begin!
Start early
The first aim of a person looking for student housing abroad should be to shortlist some properties that appeal to them. Once they’ve had a good number of those on their list, the next step is to narrow down the choices with parameters that are non-compromisable to them, such as location, monthly rent and inclusions.
Research your destination
Students should thoroughly research the local housing market and carefully assess whether the neighbourhoods they are eyeing offer a liveable environment.
And since, for the most part, they can’t do it physically, they’ll have to look up forums and check reviews of affordable student accommodations. And if a question like ‘How much do foreign students pay for accommodation?’ arises in their mind, scrolling through their peers’ experiences might help answer that.
Also, some important factors that students could look into are proximity to public transport, overall neighbourhood safety, the cost of living, proximity to health services, proactiveness of the judiciary and so on. If none of the neighbourhoods seems to fit all the categories, they can choose one that doesn’t compromise the most important factor to them; it can be safety, hygiene or anything else.
Consider different types of accommodation
Students can choose a variety of different accommodations abroad. Considering the different types can also help them understand which is right for their needs. Here’s a quick look at some of these options:
University dormitories
University dormitories are the most common type of accommodation that students go for. They offer proximity to the university, are usually secure and are well maintained, too.
Also, one of the most pronounced benefits of living in a university dormitory is that students get to connect with a lot of their peers from all over the world. This helps enhance their networking skills and nurture valuable relationships during their time as a student and beyond, all of this from inside their student accommodation abroad.
Private rentals
The second category of student housing abroad is private rentals. Living in a private rental provides students with access to more independence and privacy, allowing them to spend more time with productive activities such as taking online study courses. That said, these options tend to be more costly, which could be a deterrent for more budget-conscious students.
Purpose-built student accommodations
The next category of accommodation is purpose-built student housing. These are specially designed for students who want to enjoy the full scope of studying abroad. It includes the kind of amenities students get to enjoy in student accommodation, such as study areas, theatres, gaming areas and more.
Making use of these amenities helps students not just study more effectively but also enjoy their leisurely time inside their student accommodation in Cambridge.
Now, this mustn’t be mistaken with university dormitories as the former is not situated inside the university campus necessarily. They can be near the campus or far away, and another major difference between them is that PBSAs are usually costlier than university dormitories.
Homestays
The last category of affordable student accommodation is homestays. A homestay is a part of a house usually rented out for tourists, but the occupant can really be anybody; in this case, international students.
Inside a homestay, the usual rule is that you cook and take care of the housekeeping yourself as you are provided with the necessary resources. The whole idea is to help people feel at home.
Here, students can interact very closely with a family that’s living in their chosen location. This allows them to get acquainted with the local culture and language pretty quickly and easily.
A big advantage of homestays is that the family that lives with the students acts as their default local guardian, giving them a higher sense of security.
Understand the lease terms
Students should carefully scrutinise their lease agreement to check for any ambiguity. If they see even a single one, they should communicate and clarify with their lessor or work on terminating the lease immediately. They shouldn’t try to negotiate a lease agreement that is already riddled with red flags as these can prove to be dangerous later on. These include:
- unclear or vague Language
- excessive fees and penalties
- automatic lease renewal
- no security deposit return conditions
- no contact information for the landlord.
Conclusion
Finding the perfect student accommodation is easy if students take the time to apply the methods we’ve discussed above and find guidance from the right people who have their best interests in mind. Students should remember to be patient and use discretion so that they can find the ideal student accommodation in no time!
Contact upGrad GSP’s business development experts for more information on securing student accommodation abroad.
How can amber help students?
amber helps students secure accommodation of their choice on their study abroad journey. Having served 80 million students (and counting), amber is a one-stop shop for all student accommodation needs. Download the amber app from the Google Play Store or App Store to help students book an affordable home for their adventure.
