International Students: Who Are They and What Are the Benefits?

What is an international student? Actually, the term “international students” has a dual definition. Of course, anyone studying in a foreign country, such as students in a study abroad program, would be considered an international student. But you also must consider those students who, because they currently live in another country, usually because one or both of their parents are employed by an international or multinational company, attend a type of international school in which the curriculum is based on their country of origin’s curriculum, and delivered in their own native language. In this article we will discuss both types of international students in a bit more detail, including the benefits of studying at an international school.

International Students: Study Abroad Students

The “study abroad” type of international student is one who applies in his or her home country to study abroad in one of the many participating foreign countries. These international students typically study in a host country for a predetermined amount of time; one semester, a full academic year, or a more short-term summer session spanning 4-5 weeks.

Studying abroad as an international student can be the experience of a lifetime, with memories that will be cherished forever. A couple of the benefits to being an international student include:

Academic Enrichment. Studying abroad not only allows students to experience an alternate academic setting and atmosphere, it gives them an alternate perspective on the world and teaches them new approaches to studying and solving problems. These benefits are invaluable and will almost certainly improve their academic success upon returning to their home school.

Learning to Appreciate other Cultures. The variance between tolerating other cultures and appreciating them is vast. International students studying abroad have the unique opportunity to be entirely immersed in another culture; the customs, language and traditions. And because of that, most students will usually come to embrace that culture as if it were their own.

International Students: Foreign Residents

International students who are residents of a country other than their homeland can benefit greatly from attending an international school. Two of these benefits are:

Preparing for College. When students attend an international school—a school that offers a curriculum they are familiar with in a language they comprehend—they are able to improve their academic success and prepare for college either in their home country or at any number of international universities.

Increase Professional Opportunities. International students regularly interact with students and faculty from a number of diverse backgrounds. This experience, which often includes new language acquisition, will become a major benefit to them professionally in our new global economy.

International students, whether foreign residents or those studying abroad, not only benefit greatly from an academic standpoint, but their exposure to different cultures and new ideas will continue to pay dividends long after they finish school.

On-Campus Accommodations for International Students

Are you an International student who is planning to study at an American University? Do you still require additional information regarding the available accommodations for international students? Studying in America offers a number of unique advantages, but because housing in and around the campus tends to fill up very quickly it is vital that you make arrangements well in advance. To help make sure you don’t get “left out in the cold,” in this article we will list some of the more popular on-campus accommodations for international students, and provide some basic information regarding each of these options.

Accommodations for International Students: On-Campus Options

International students intending to study in the United States have a number of on-campus options. Some of these accommodations for international students include:

· Coed Residence Halls. Coed residence halls, also called dormitories or dorms in the United States, house both men and women students in the same building, but not, of course, in the same room. To maximize the number of people the residence hall can accommodate, most dormitories will house two students to each room—rooms that usually feature two small beds, a desk and closet space. Residents in the coed dorms typically share one of several community bathrooms and a community living area where students can study, watch television or play games. These types of residence halls, although a very new concept for most international students, are very popular in the United States, and fill up very quickly. Therefore, it is vital that you mail your housing application at the same time you are applying for school admission.

· Single-Sex Dormitories. If the idea of sharing your residence with students of the opposite sex is unappealing, you can also apply for residence in a single-sex dorm. Most universities do set aside at least a portion of their residence hall space to house men and women separately, but like coed dorms, these residences can fill up quickly, so time is of the essence.

· Housing for Fraternities and Sororities. If you are looking for accommodations for International students that are a bit more close-knit, you may want to consider joining a fraternity or sorority. Both offer a more socially active university experience, one which also stresses university and community service. If this sounds like the type of experience that would interest you, contact the university you plan to attend for additional details about “Rush Week,” the timeframe when fraternities and sororities recruit new members.

· University Apartments. Many universities have apartments that are located either on-campus or very nearby. These accommodations for international students offer a bit more privacy, however, because university apartments are so sought after, the competition for acceptance into these units can be very fierce, and are usually reserved for upper class persons and graduate students.

· Married Student Housing. For married students, on-campus accommodations for international students are limited to married housing units. Most major US universities will set aside a certain amount of housing space, which could include residence halls or on-campus apartments, for those students who are married.

As you can see, there are a number of alternatives for on-campus accommodations for international students, each offering a fantastic opportunity to make new friends and learn more about the American culture. However, because on-campus housing is such a popular housing alternative for both US and international students, it is imperative that you apply early to ensure acceptance.

Off Campus Student Housing for International Students: Is It for You?

Are you a college student who is presently considering an opportunity to study abroad, in a foreign country overseas? Have you considered all of your housing options, including on-campus accommodations, staying with a host family and off campus housing? Study abroad programs are a fantastic way to see and experience the world, but in addition to the costs associated with attending a foreign school, students must also make arrangements for their housing—arrangements that can take many different forms. In this article we will discuss some of the housing options for international students, including what you can expect when living on campus, staying with a host family, and taking advantage of an off campus student housing opportunity.

International Student Housing Options: On Campus Accommodations

Students looking for the independence associated with off campus living may be deterred by some of the restrictions related to staying on campus. However living on campus does have certain advantages, including:

· Proximity. While off campus student housing is usually fairly near to the university, on campus accommodations, such as residence halls or dormitories, are located right on school grounds, close to classrooms and other university services.

· Meals. Most on-campus housing options include the price of meals—usually delivered in a cafeteria setting—with your tuition cost. Off campus student housing does not, which can quickly become expensive, especially if your program is to span an entire academic year.

International Student Housing Options: Staying with a Host Family

One of the more popular student housing options, especially among younger students, is to live with a host family. This is by far the most affordable housing option; however, it does have its limitations. Students studying with a host family are subject to that family’s rules, schedule and perhaps even a curfew, which could limit them from fully enjoying the university experience. On the other hand, staying with a host family does provide additional opportunities for cultural enhancement and language acquisition, as host families are very familiar with the region and usually very eager to improve a student’s overall study abroad experience.

International Student Housing Options: Off Campus Student Housing

Off campus student housing, which usually involves staying in a flat or an apartment, either independently or with friends, has several advantages. Students living off campus are free to come and go as they please, and are not subject to any particular schedule, save for their class times. This type of freedom may sound very attractive to some students, especially considering this may be the first time they have experienced this level of independence. However, staying off campus does have its drawbacks, including the price. Off campus student housing is usually the most expensive student housing option, and depending on where the apartment is located, getting to class everyday can become quite inconvenient.

Studying abroad as an international student, despite the type of accommodations you choose, can be a magical and unforgettable experience, but it does require a lot of preparation and careful planning. If money is no object, off campus student housing can be a wonderful way to enjoy this experience, but if saving money is important to you, you may also want to weigh some of the more affordable, albeit a bit more restrictive, options.

International Student Housing: Considering Your Options

International student housing is and should be one of the primary concerns for students studying abroad. And when it comes to international student housing there are essentially two basic options: On-campus international student housing or living off-campus in an apartment or flat. To help you decide which of these options is best for your particular situation, in this article we will take a closer look at both on campus and off campus living in more detail by pointing out some of the advantages and disadvantages to each of these alternatives.

Off-Campus International Student Housing

Not all students will be eligible for off-campus international student housing. In many study abroad programs students are required to live on campus unless they are pursuing a graduate degree or in instances where the student is married.

However, if you fit into one of these two categories, or if the study abroad program allows for off-campus student housing, your best housing option is probably renting an apartment or flat. Before you do, though, you may want to ask yourselves a few questions to ensure that a) you are eligible and can meet the requirements and b) this is the best living option for you. Ask yourself this when renting an apartment:

· Is there a lease involved? For their security, most apartments now require you to sign a lease before you can move in, and the majority of these leases have terms of either 6 months or one year. If your study abroad program is only for one semester, and you sign a one year lease, you may become financially responsible should you decide to move out before the terms of the lease are up.

· Does the landlord require financial documentation? To ensure you are financially able to make the required monthly payments, many landlords will require some type of financial documentation. This can present a problem for international students, and to qualify you may need to have a United States sponsor to cosign the lease and guarantee the payments.

· Are utilities included? Although formerly many U.S. apartments would include utilities in the price of the rent, few seldom do anymore due to the rising cost of electricity and water. This is an extra expense you will need to consider before making your housing decision.

On-Campus International Student Housing

On-campus international student housing, in residence halls and dormitories, is not only a more affordable option than off-campus student housing, the experience also has many inherent benefits, including:

· Amenities. When living in a dormitory there are many amenities to benefit from, including phone service, high-speed internet access and laundry facilities.

· Campus events. On campus international student housing keeps you close to the action, with on-campus events such as sports, concerts, lectures and more.

· Meals. Included in the cost of most on-campus international student housing is a flexible meal plan—three meals a day with a wide selection of food.

· Close proximity to campus buildings. Not only are students living on campus very close to campus classrooms, they also have easy access to other campus buildings, such as the library, student store, recreational facilities and computer labs.

Most study abroad program experts believe that on-campus international student housing enhances the experience of a foreign education. Living in a residence hall with others gives international students regular opportunities to participate in the total university experience and to make new friends with fellow residents.