Struggling with Choosing the Perfect Accommodation While Studying Abroad?

Knowing where you are going to live while you are studying abroad is very important because it can impact how much you enjoy your experience studying in another country, most international students always go through this phase. If you’re living somewhere you don’t like or somewhere don’t feel safe, it can make you feel down about your overall experience. However, if you are living with people you get on well with and you feel comfortable, you can focus on your studies and make lifelong friends in the process. Struggling with choosing the perfect accommodation abroad should be the least of all worries when done right with TGM Education.

Below are what to consider before embarking on choosing the perfect accommodation;

Do your Research

So, you have settled on which city you will be moving to and you have confirmed your place at your new university. Aside from that, you are a little clueless. You have no idea what the neighbourhoods are like; Are they safe? Student-friendly? Not to mention, you have no idea which locations are affordable and which aren’t.
This is when YouTube, Quora, and Google become your best friends. Make the effort to consume as much information about your new city as you possibly can. Watch city tours, read guides to find some helpful tips.

Figure Out Your Budget

It goes without saying that you will need to sit down and figure out how much you will be able to spend on rent each month. This will then help you to work out how much you will have leftover to spend on utility bills, public transport, daily essentials, and any luxuries. Working out a budget means you will know exactly what you have going out and coming in; ultimately preventing any nasty surprises. It will ultimately help you to narrow down your accommodation choices, as some will align with your budget much better than others.

Be Cautious

Social media is a great way to get a taste of where you’ll be staying, but be cautious. If someone offers you a room for a simple card transaction: be careful. It can be difficult to recover your funds if you are scammed.

Unfortunately, there are people out there who will try to take advantage of international students who may not know the process of finding accommodation in a new country.

Keep in mind that if somewhere looks too good to be true, it most likely is. Stick to searching on reliable accommodation websites or from information provided by your university; that way, you’ll be able to trust that the listings are legitimate and the transaction will be traceable if there are any problems.

Key Questions

• – How do they want the rent paid?
• – Does the rent include bills?
• – Have they rented before (particularly to international students)?
• – Are there any deposits or non-refundable fees? What are they?
• – What is their sub-letting policy?
• – Do they allow early contract terminations? If so, what are the fees?
• – Will you be able to renew the contract if you want to?
• – Are guests allowed to stay?
• – Are there any additional rules to be aware of?

Immerse yourself in Local Culture

If you’re going to study abroad, particularly if you’re going to learn another language, it may be better to avoid living with other international students. Instead, consider having local housemates. One of the best ways to immerse yourself in the local culture is by living with a host family. A host family can be a great help in introducing you to the local culture.

Don’t Panic

If you’re struggling to find your perfect student accommodation abroad and your departure date is looming, remember that it’s not the end of the world. Staying in a cheap hostel or couch-surfing with someone you know for a couple of weeks can buy you time to look for a place without eating too much into your budget. Regardless of what happens, take the process in your stride, and don’t hesitate to ask for help if you really need it.

Campus Accommodation

In most cases, universities set aside enough spaces in on-campus accommodation for first-year international students. This is to make the accommodation process easier, sparing them from having to find reputable third-party landlords and letting agents. Plus, international students might not be able to come to the country before their course begins to view accommodation. It also means that international students feel comfortable as they will be on campus close to university staff and other students, rather than in a new, strange city. With all of these in place, choosing the perfect accommodation

We Can Help

Just for your comfort, TGM Education has partnered with accommodation service provider Amberstudents, who will assist with your accommodation needs when you work directly with us, but this accommodation service is however only available for students who are not going with their families. To kick-start your accommodation search, simply click on this link to get started.

Application ongoing for January 2022 Intake. Contact us to have a student counsellor assigned to your inquiry at no service charge.

Chat with us via this link or call 0908 077 5662 for more info.