Finding Accommodation Abroad

Housing decides how your semester abroad feels. A bright room near campus, with kind housemates, makes everything easier. A damp basement a long commute away, with a landlord who does not answer messages, can make you wish you had stayed home. Finding accommodation in a foreign country is harder than at home: you may not know the market, the language or what a fair price is, and you may be searching from thousands of miles away. A careful approach protects both your money and your peace of mind.

Rental rules and customs differ greatly by country. This guide gives general principles and is not legal advice.

The main options

Choose according to your budget, length of stay, independence and safety.

Start with your program and host

• Ask your program whether housing is included or recommended.
• Check the host university's housing office, which may reserve rooms for international students and exchange students.
• Apply early. Deadlines can fall many months before arrival, and rooms may be allocated first-come first-served.
• Ask returnees where they lived and what they would change.
• Ask about proximity to campus, transport and safety.

Using official channels reduces risk and effort.

Searching from a distance

If you must find private housing before you arrive:

1. Use trusted sources: the host university, student unions, established platforms with verification and recommendations from past students.
2. Be wary of social media groups, where scams are common.
3. Ask for a live video tour, with the person showing the property in real time, and verify the address.
4. Ask for a lease in writing before paying.
5. Check the landlord's identity and ownership where possible.
6. Ask a local contact, such as a friend, program staff or student representative, to view the place.
7. Consider booking temporary accommodation for the first weeks, then search in person.

The safest strategy for many students is to reserve a short stay and visit properties after arriving.

Avoid scams

Warning signs include:

• Prices much lower than similar properties.
• Landlords who are abroad and cannot show the property.
• Requests for payment before a viewing or a written contract.
• Payment by wire transfer, gift cards or cryptocurrency.
• Pressure to decide quickly.
• Photos that appear elsewhere online.
• Refusal to talk by phone or video.
• Poor grammar and generic messages.

Never send money to someone you have not verified. If in doubt, ask your program or host housing office. Our guide to finding accommodation abroad is complemented by the detailed advice in our housing section.

What to check before you commit

• Location. Distance to campus and transport, safety and nightlife.
• Condition. Heating, cooling, damp, windows, locks and appliances.
• What is included. Furniture, bills, internet and cleaning.
• Housemates. Who you will live with, and their habits.
• Rules. Guests, noise, smoking, curfews and kitchen use.
• Length. Contract dates and break periods.
• Cost. Rent, deposit, fees and extras.
• Access. Keys, arrival times and what happens if you arrive late.
• Support. Who to contact for repairs and emergencies.

Contracts and costs

• Read the whole contract. If it is in another language, ask for a translation or help from your program.
• Understand the rent and when it is due.
• Understand the deposit: amount, where it is held and conditions for return.
• Check for hidden fees, such as cleaning, agency or administration charges.
• Check the notice period and penalties for leaving early.
• Check the rules on guests and subletting.
• Keep copies of the contract, receipts and messages.
• Document the condition when you move in, with dated photos.

Our guide to how much does studying abroad cost explains how housing fits in your budget.

Homestays

If you choose a homestay:

• Use a reputable program or your university's list.
• Tell them about your diet, allergies and needs in advance.
• Ask about meals, laundry, internet and house rules.
• Ask how far the home is from campus.
• Be respectful, communicative and willing to join in.
• Know how to change hosts if it is not working.

Homestays can be excellent for language and support.

Arrival plans

• Book your first nights before you fly.
• Arrive in daylight if you can.
• Have the address written in the local language.
• Plan how you will get from the airport to your accommodation.
• Have the landlord's or program's phone number ready.
• Have some local currency for transport and deposits.
• Keep copies of your contract and booking confirmations.
• Charge your phone, and download maps offline.

If your keys are not available, you need a plan B.

Living with others

Shared housing is a major part of the experience.

• Be open and friendly.
• Talk about expectations early: cleaning, guests, noise and bills.
• Respect cultural differences in food, privacy and routines.
• Be considerate with shared spaces.
• Share small gestures, such as cooking a meal or offering snacks.
• Resolve problems calmly.

Safety in your housing

• Check locks and windows.
• Know the emergency exits.
• Know the neighborhood and the safest routes at night.
• Keep valuables secure.
• Know where the nearest hospital and police station are.
• Tell your program your address.

If your housing falls through

It happens: a landlord cancels, a room is not as described or a homestay is not suitable.

1. Contact your program or host immediately.
2. Book temporary accommodation such as a hostel or short-term rental.
3. Do not pay any more money to the original provider until the matter is resolved.
4. Keep records of messages and payments.
5. Report suspected fraud to the police and your program.
6. Ask for a refund, if appropriate.
7. Ask other students and the housing office for leads.

Stay calm. Most problems can be solved, and programs have dealt with them before.

Special needs

If you have accessibility, dietary or health needs, tell the housing provider and your program early. If you need privacy, quiet or a particular environment, ask about options.

A worked example

Imagine a student heading to a city where she knows no one. She applies for the university residence, but is waitlisted. She books a hostel for the first week, and asks the host's housing office for a list of recommended landlords. After arriving, she views three rooms in person, asks about bills, reads the contract with help from a student adviser and pays her deposit by bank transfer to the landlord's verified account. She takes photos of the room's condition, and keeps copies of all documents.

She avoided the risks of renting unseen, and found a place she liked.

Questions to ask a landlord or housing office

Before you commit, a few direct questions can reveal a lot. Ask how long the contract runs, and whether you can leave early if your program ends sooner than planned. Ask whether the rent includes heating and internet, because winter bills can be a surprise. Ask who handles repairs and how quickly. Ask whether you will be registered at the address, since some countries require this for visa or residence purposes. A reliable provider answers clearly and in writing.

Common mistakes

• Paying before viewing or verifying.
• Trusting unverified social media posts.
• Not reading the contract.
• Booking no temporary accommodation.
• Ignoring location and commute.
• Not documenting the condition.
• Not telling the program where you live.

A quick checklist

• Have I asked my program and host about housing?
• Do I have a safe first-week plan?
• Have I verified any landlord or listing?
• Have I read and understood the contract?
• Do I know what to do if it falls through?

Final thoughts

Housing abroad is easier with preparation and caution. Use official channels, book a safe short stay and view places in person when you can. Read contracts, verify before paying and keep records. A good home makes the whole experience better.