Study Abroad: Where Will You Live?
Do you know where you’ll live when you study abroad?
Here’s a closer look at ASA housing types, what options are available in your destination, and a few things to consider if you have a choice to make.
TYPES OF HOUSING
There are three main types of housing available when you study abroad on an ASA program:
1. Homestay
2. Shared Apartment
3. Residence Halls
Some programs have one standard type of accommodation that all students live in, others provide two different options, and a couple offer all three.
HOUSING CHOICES BY DESTINATION
Here’s a quick breakdown of all ASA destinations with their program types so you can quickly scan through and find yours:
Aberdeen: Residence halls or shared apartment
Aix-en-Provence: Demi-pension or semi-independent homestay, residence halls/shared apartment
Barcelona: Homestay, residence halls, or shared apartment
Buenos Aires (semester): Homestay or shared apartment
Buenos Aires (summer): Homestay
Dublin: Residence halls
Florence: Homestay
London: Residence halls
Maastricht: Residence halls
Madrid: Homestay
Newcastle: Residence halls
Oxford: Residence halls
Paros (semester): Studio apartment
Paros (summer): Shared apartment
San Jose: Homestay
Seville: Homestay or residence halls
Sorrento: Homestay, residence halls, or shared apartment
Viña del Mar: Homestay
THINGS TO CONSIDER
When you do have a choice in housing, you’ll want to consider a few things:
Meals. Are your meals included? If so, how many? What about weekends? Is there a place to cook? Will you need to purchase items like plates or pans?
Language. If you’re in a homestay, you’ll learn a foreign language faster. Consider your current language level, and perhaps the level of English your host speak.
Occupancy. Will you share a room or have your own space? Who will you share with? Can you choose a roommate if you’re sharing? What if you don’t get along? Will you need to buy essentials like sheets or pillows?
Bathrooms. Are you sharing a bathroom? Do you have your own bathroom? Are you responsible for buying essentials such as toilet paper, for example? Is it your responsibility to clean the bathroom? Do you need towels?
Laundry. Is laundry included? If not, where can you do your laundry? Do you pay extra to do laundry? Is there a dryer or is it more common to hang clothes to dry?
Distance. How far is your housing from your classes? Are you on campus or off campus? What are your transportation options? Can you walk?
Price. Does your choice of housing influence the total cost of your program and by how much? What extra inclusions are there that might play into this?
Personality & lifestyle. Are you an introvert or extrovert? Do you crave your own space or company of others? Do you go to bed early or stay up super late? Do you go out a lot? Do you have dietary needs? Or medical complications? How do you feel about the full immersion experience versus the comfort of familiar faces?
If you head over to your program page on the ASA website, you’ll see all of the relevant information laid out for you according to your destination, and our team is happy to answer questions if you have them.
BENEFITS OF EACH TYPE OF HOUSING
Each housing option has its benefits. Here are a few:
HOMESTAY
This is real cultural immersion, an unparalleled opportunity to dive deep into the local culture.
This is an incredible way to learn a language.
You’ll probbly form a strong bond with your host family and may end up keeping in touch when you go home – a great reason to visit again one day!
Your host family will likely be interested in your home culture too, so you’ll be able to share your favorite traditions or meals and be a positive representative of your country.
Home cooking is definitely a bonus here if meals are included. You might even learn to cook some local dishes.
You’ll have the insider knowledge of locals who may take you to events you wouldn’t have gone to otherwise, or share their favorite hidden restaurants.
RESIDENCE HALLS
Residence halls are convenient. You’ll be on, or at least likely very near, campus, so your commute to class will be a breeze.
Simply because you’ll be on campus more, you’ll probably build your social circle quickly.
You’ll more easily be integrated into campus life, using the library more, joining sports teams or social clubs, making use of study halls, communal kitchens, and laundry rooms.
You’ll probably be living with other US or international students, so you’ll connect over the common situation you’re engaged in.
You’ll have a strong sense of belonging with other students who live in the residence halls and will be able to support each other and form community.
You’ll have more independence to decide when you want to go out, when you want to eat, when you want to come home, etc. as well as more privacy as you won’t be immersed in the daily routines of a host family.
SHARED APARTMENTS
In a shared apartment, your space might feel more like “home” in the sense that it’s not a dorm, but an actual apartment where you have privacy and personal space as well as comfort.
Like a residence hall, you have more independence in a shared apartment, to come and go as you please, have guests over, and make up your own routines.
You’ll have the freedom to cook what you want as opposed to eating what a host family is making or the limited choice of meal plans in a residence hall. You can also eat at any time. This is a good option for someone with dietary restrictions too.
Rather than living on campus, you’ll be integrating with the local community. You’re more like to shop in local markets, become known by the local coffee shop staff, or simply adapt to the pace of local life. You’ll have more opportunities to practice the local language too, if this is relevant to your location.
You’ll form close relationships with the people living with you. You might travel together. You’ll support each other. You’ll probably stay in touch when you head home.
You’ll skill up in real world tasks like budgeting, for example, keeping the house clean, and grocery shopping which will make you more self-sufficient in the long run.
There are other benefits and factors to consider, but this is a great place to start.
We’ll leave you with a quote from Olivia Pride who was weighing up her options before she went to study abroad in Seville:
“Living with a host family wasn't what I had planned: I had originally signed up to live in an apartment, but one of my professors shared her story of studying abroad in Spain with a host family and encouraged me to do the same. I am so grateful I took the leap of faith and decided to live with a host family in Sevilla. It turns studying abroad into a cultural, self-growth experience, rather than just a travel experience.
While choosing a homestay was my best decision during my study abroad, it wasn't an easy adjustment. I hadn't taken Spanish since junior year in high school (four years ago). Day by day I got more comfortable and now, as I prepare to leave Sevilla, I can't imagine my life without this experience.
I had the privilege of attending Sevilla's Feria de Abril with my host family. They made it a memorable time. Feria is a massive carnival that goes on for a week and everyone flamenco dances, or dances ‘Sevillanas.’
Living with a host family took me outside of my comfort zone, but it will forever be my favorite part of studying in Sevilla.”