8 Things To Note When Choosing A University Accommodation Abroad

Making the decision to study abroad is a big deal and there’s a lot of work to do before hopping on that flight to another country. Choosing a suitable accommodation is one of them.

The rate of immigrating students has increased considerably during the last couple of years and there are many factors that students should consider before choosing a study abroad destination. It includes accommodation, living expenses, quality of life, etc. All this needs to be thoroughly understood before arriving at a conclusion.

Continue reading to see things to take note of:

– Suitability

Before picking a place to live, note which student accommodation suits you. There are several student housing options like a shared dormitory or dorm rooms in the university or private apartments or rental houses. Now, this depends on your preference.

We highly suggest you go for what is comfortable and affordable for you. If you are traveling with dependants, we’d advise you to get a suitable apartment for yourself and your family.

– Price of Rent

One of the most important and obvious things to look out for would definitely be sorting out the rent. Ensure it is a space you can afford without having to break the bank. Make sure you check out all the accommodation options available and choose the one which has a reasonable rent. Rent varies, depending on the city and area you decide to live in.

Set a budget and choose the best option in that price range. We wrote about how you can save a lot of money studying abroad here

– Safety and Security

In addition to factors like transport, proximity to campus, affordability, and amenities, do not forget about personal safety and security. This is especially important for younger students traveling outside the country for the first time.

Certain neighborhoods and university accommodations have 24-hour surveillance and advisories on personal safety available. Do your research on your preferred choice of stay and make your decision about the student accommodation only after verifying the safety protocols of the area.

– Importance of Location

You don’t want to move into your apartment and discover it is in the middle of nowhere. You want to be sure you can get easy access to transportation, grocery stores, clinic, and ultimately to your campus. 

– Lease Terms

While signing the agreement, read it thoroughly and ask questions if something is not clear. In addition, read up on the legalities of rental contracts before you sign the agreement.

Make sure you don’t end up paying any deposit before acquiring all the proper paperwork to back it up. Make an informed decision, and as always, remember that if it seems too good to be true, then it probably is.

– Space Sharing

You must decide well in advance if you would be interested in sharing your apartment or room with someone else or not and then choose your accommodation options accordingly.

For example, if you are okay living with 3 or 4 more people, you can rent the whole apartment and split the monthly rent among yourselves. Most international students do this because this is one of the cheapest ways to manage your rent.

– Look out for infestations

This is one tip that is always overlooked. If you decide to go for a private apartment outside school premises, make sure it is not an infested apartment.

If not checked, this will result in spending unplanned finances to get rid of insects, rodents, and the likes. You can also read up on how to deal with an infested apartment here

– Look Out For Rental Fraud

It is natural to find some scammers trying to scam unsuspecting students and make quick cash around the rental property space. Be cautious when making inquiries about apartments, and giving out personal information before verifying the details of the landlord or broker. Make sure you do not make any upfront payments without confirming their identity and receiving official receipts for the apartment.

One of the ways to get a better apartment is to start looking well in advance so you don’t miss out on any quality options, as most accommodations get occupied four to eight weeks prior to the semester orientation date. We suggest to start looking for accommodation options once you receive an acceptance letter from your desired university.

At TGM Education, we have partnered with accommodation providers to give you the best offers at affordable rates. You can contact us at partnerships.legal@tgmeducation.com or call us on: 09088071355.