Studying abroad is one of the most incredible experiences that one can have, offering you the chance to live somewhere entirely new, soak in a new culture, and adopt a new way of life. As you may have guessed, one of the most central parts of studying abroad is your living situation, but this doesn’t need to be a source of stress or anxiety. If you can find the right kind of apartment, you’ll be sure to have a great time packed full of comfort and happiness, perfect for your study abroad experience.
How to choose the right apartment
When you’re looking for an apartment for your study abroad experience, there are a few things you need to be aware of. These include:
Budget
There is a huge price discrepancy between the different college campuses in the United States, depending on size, prestige, location, and so much more. If you’re happy to spend a little more, you can get a place to yourself where you won’t need to pay for travel costs very often. This could make living near your college easier and cheaper in the long term.
Once you’ve examined these factors, you can search for the perfect apartment for your needs and situation. There are many different ways to find apartments in the United States, but keeping an eye out for locations with good reviews and high satisfaction scores is a great way to ensure that you live somewhere well-received by others.
You should also consider what you want from your apartment if you’re looking for somewhere near UCI, for example. Some areas are more popular among students. The University Town Centre has many shops, eating spots, and UCI student housing residential buildings. At the same time, the Old Town has more cultural centers, such as galleries, museums, and high-end clothing stores. Depending on what you want, many options will be available to you, and what’s available will vary widely from town to town.
Location
When looking for an apartment, you’ll want to consider how far away from college you’re willing to be. While being closer might be more convenient, this often means you’ll pay a little more. There is a trade-off between getting the most for your money and being where the action is, but your home is what you make it, and there is a balance to be found. Most university and college towns have areas where students live, so research your chosen school and its town and find the best location for you.
Amenities
Some apartments have a pool, gym, or fitness center. If you’re a college athlete somewhere like UCLA or UCI, this could be a key consideration, so check the entire facility when deciding. Other amenities, such as laundry facilities and social spaces, can make your study abroad experience much more enjoyable and reduce stress.
How to have fun when studying abroad
When going to college in the United States, you may find it to be very different to your home, so we’ve put together a handful of tips that should make your living and study abroad experience much easier and more comfortable.
Learn about how the United States education system works. As you might expect, and you may already be familiar with this, the United States education system is very different from what’s found in other countries, and the structure may shock you at first. Before you arrive, research and try to understand how classes and the school holidays work.
Immerse yourself in American culture. If you want to get the most out of your study abroad experience, the best thing you can do is immerse yourself in the local culture and get involved. It may be a good idea to attend cultural events, familiarize yourself with the various holidays observed by locals, and join clubs and groups to help you meet others with similar interests.
Expect to be a little homesick. While homesickness really does suck, it’s part of the experience, and we’d be lying to you if we said that it wasn’t something that happens to most people when they’re studying abroad. To help alleviate this, make sure you’re living somewhere that helps you feel at home, have supportive friends, and have access to loved ones back home.
Conclusion
We hope we haven’t scared you away from wanting to study abroad. You’ll have to consider these factors when looking to pack your bags and experience something new, but they all have solutions that will help make for an even more immersive trip. Nothing comes easily, and the best adventures are the ones that are filled with uncertainty and the unknown, which is what makes them so rewarding.
Finding somewhere that feels like home can help ensure you have the best time studying abroad. This experience will broaden your horizons and make you see the world completely differently, helping you grow as a person.
