While deciding on a school to attend, arranging funding, selecting a major, and preparing for travel, don't forget to answer this important question: Where am I going to live?
Many colleges and universities require first-year students to live in on-campus housing. These facilities, called residence halls or dormitories (“dorms”), offer convenient access to classes and the opportunity to socialize with fellow students.
Traditional dorm rooms come equipped with beds, desks, and clothes storage for each student. While double-occupancy rooms are the most common (think of a hotel room), many colleges offer single-, triple-, and even quad-occupancy rooms. These dorms have a common bathroom/shower facility on each floor, as well as lounge areas. A university staff member is responsible for cleaning the common areas, but students are responsible for the cleanliness of their own rooms.
More and more schools are offering on-campus student apartments, which include a living room, kitchen, bathroom(s), and bedrooms for four to eight students (usually double-occupancy rooms). This type of living arrangement gives students more privacy and the ability to cook their meals. Keep in mind that this increased privacy means more cleaning responsibilities fall to the students.
Housing for married students is available on many campuses and may or may not include accommodations for children. If you are married and plan to bring your spouse and/or children with you to the United States, check with your university early to make sure you can reserve appropriate housing.
While some universities have on-campus accommodations for all students (freshmen through seniors), you may not be able to or may not wish to live on campus after your freshman year. Moving off campus may mean living in a sorority or fraternity house (if you are a member) or in an off-campus apartment or house—either by yourself or with one or more roommates.
A third option, in addition to residence halls and off-campus apartments, is to live with an American family, an arrangement often called homestay. Colleges and universities can often provide a list of organizations that coordinate stays in family homes.
Arrangements for homestay vary widely depending on the family involved. You will be expected to pay a monthly rent and may or may not receive meals provided by the host family. Please note that families offering homestay arrangements may be located far from campus, so check into transportation options such as driving or a subway system. Click here for more information on homestay programs
