Perfect Student Housing: Tips for International Students

Moving to the United States for college is one of the most exciting adventures you can take as a student! Yet as exciting as an international move can be, it can also be pretty scary.

If you’re an international student, you may be wondering how you’re going to find housing in a city you’re unfamiliar with. Such a big move can be stressful enough, but finding your new college home doesn’t have to be.

With these five helpful tips, you can shake off the burden of finding student housing. Here are five recommendations that’ll make your housing search a whole lot easier.

Facebook Groups For Students in College At Your Prospective University

Facebook has been a key resource for international students looking for housing. Most colleges have Facebook groups specifically geared toward international students looking for housing other than the general housing Facebook pages.

You can search for these groups by typing “your college name” with assorted keywords like “international students” or “international student housing” on Facebook. Once you’re in the group, you can pose questions, partake in discussions and begin connecting with other international students at your college who are also looking for student housing. This can be especially helpful if you find the main Facebook groups for all students overwhelming.

Check In With Your International Student Office

Your college will most likely have an International Student Office that you can turn to for student housing advice. This office is designed to help all international students, including expats and those studying abroad for just a semester. You can find plenty of information there, ranging from the best housing options for international students to the different activities happening on campus.

There are a ton of clubs and organizations that specialize in helping international students adjust to school in the US. Taking advantage of these free resources is so vital to your success and well-being as an international student.

Research Your New City Before Moving

If you want to feel more prepared before beginning your housing search, you can start by researching your new city before moving. Familiarize yourself with your campus’s location and the surrounding neighborhoods so that when you land, you already have an idea of what you’re walking into.

You can also start looking up apartments in the most popular neighborhoods for students to get an idea of pricing. You can then use this research to compare the costs of living on or off campus. There are some interesting neighborhood breakdowns located on this student housing website and articles on average rent prices in college towns on this site.

Make a List of What Matters Most

It’s a good idea to identify what matters most to you in your new college home. So ask yourself: Do you want to live on campus so that you’re close to your classes? Do you need the apartment to be furnished? Laundry machine? Do you enjoy living with roommates?
Making this list will help you better identify the kind of housing you’re looking for at your new college.

Pack Something Special From Home

If any special items in your room make you feel at home, consider bringing them along. Whether it’s a picture frame or a cozy blanket, it can be nice to have a little reminder of home in your student housing or apartment.

These little slices of home may come in handy on days when you might feel a bit homesick. I love necklaces with meaning so any sentimental necklace I make sure that I wear it as often as I can, especially when I’m living in a new place. 

You Can Also Consider Alternative Living Solutions

Many international students may not know about co-living, which allows a group of students to share a fully furnished apartment with several amenities included. If you’d like to learn more about co-living, you can read more about it on Tripalink.com.

If you’re interested in co-living, Tripalink offers beautifully furnished apartments that are perfect for international students who do not want to spend extra money on furniture and utilities. These apartments also come with WiFi, security, and even weekly cleaning services already included in the price. This lessens the burden of having to figure out all these extra costs yourself.

Plus, Tripalink takes care of the roommate-finding process for you. That’s right: Tripalink matches students like yourself with other like-minded individuals, intending to create a vibrant community that can turn into lifelong friendships.

Tripalink was built with international students in mind. This is the perfect opportunity for those looking for a home away from home.