Making Housing Arrangements
If housing is not included in your program, you must make your own housing arrangements. Carefully review housing information before selecting your housing preferences. Check with the coordinator of your program if you are unsure of the housing options available or don’t know whether housing and meals are included in the cost of your program. There are usually several options to choose from and the list depends on the host university, the length of your program, and your budget, of course. Those enrolling in a semester program at an overseas partner institution select preferences (1, 2, 3, etc.) from the available options. Housing options usually include one or more of the following: Those studying a language and culture overseas often prefer home-stay. Most students on non-language based programs usually choose to live with other local or international students. Chances are that you may have already stated your housing preference(s) from the list of available accommodation styles at the time you submitted your program application. Selecting a Roommate. If you are staying in a dormitory or apartment, you might have the option of whether to share a room with someone from the host country (or with another international student) instead of someone from your own program or UNI. Take your lifestyle preferences into account when choosing, of course, but don’t automatically select the “safe” approach of rooming with someone you already know. Having a roommate from the host country or another country can be a wonderful way of exploring other cultures. Confirmation of Arrival and Pick-Up Service Together with your letter of admission, you may also receive additional or updated housing information and/or confirmation of your allocated housing. In most cases, the host institution also requires that you confirm the date and time of your arrival if there is pick-up service available. After your round-trip travel itinerary has been confirmed and you know when and where you will be arriving, you must notify the host institution, in writing, about the date and time of your arrival. Try to arrive during the hours specified in your arrival information if you wish to avoid being all alone in a strange town. If you arrive earlier than your housing is available, make arrangements for temporary accommodation. Not all overseas institutions offer airport pick-up service, especially if you the program location does not have an airport or the airport is several hours away from your final destination. Working with a travel agent is a good idea when making and finalizing travel arrangements. It is your responsibility to arrive at the program site by the time the program begins ready to participate. |