How to find your ideal Accommodation Abroad

Globalization has brought the world closer than ever. With exposure to the global culture and increasing opportunities to pursue high-quality education, many students in India are moving abroad to further education. Education from international universities opens doors to new and better employment opportunities. The USA, the UK, Australia, Germany, and Ireland are some of the top countries where many Indian students plan to join universities to pursue further education. 

International students living abroad must cover various expenses like groceries, food, tuition fees, insurance and, most importantly, student accommodation. Many students choose to live in a dormitory and share an apartment with other students instead of renting or buying an entire house. Yet many of them struggle to pay the rent of their student residence as they have to pay for other expenses like tuition fees, groceries, transport expenses, etc. 

“Home is where the heart is” is a very well-known proverb, and it is crucial to find the best private student accommodation to live in, especially when you are planning to study abroad. First and foremost, you need to decide where you are going to stay. Do you want to live in the lively, bustling city centre or the green, quiet suburbs? Do you wish to share your accommodation or live alone? You could be looking for a room in a residence hall, a room in a shared apartment, a studio apartment for yourself, or a group apartment with friends.

There are many options when it comes to studying abroad accommodation; here are some tricks with which you can find student accommodation in your budget. 

Know your preferences

After securing the course you want to study at the university of your choice, you need to find the best student accommodation according to your preferences. The first thing to do while searching for accommodation is to prepare a preference list. For on-campus accommodation, contact your university. You might get to see pictures of what their accommodation looks like, and information about the utilities provided, and costs, and you may be able to reserve a room online. If you don’t want to stay on campus, you can choose from many other options available, like private apartments, private rooms, or shared flats. You can also look for a student residence which offer special discounts for students. 

Be an early bird

If you are one of the international students looking for accommodation, it is suggested that you begin your search for accommodation as soon as you get your UCAS. Most affordable places get booked pretty quickly, so don’t put it off! So it’s best to book your study abroad accommodation first thing after securing your admission. 

You don’t need to be physically present in the city to book your student accommodation abroad. There are plenty of helpful online platforms out there, especially for international students, where you can search for and secure your new student rooms for rent, all from the comfort of your own home.

Decide your budget

Once you’ve figured out how much you will be able to spend on rent, you can shortlist your choices of accommodation and save time. This will also help you manage your money on how much you’ll spend on utilities, commuting, daily essentials, and luxuries. Ultimately, prior budget planning will prevent any unpleasant surprises. 

Location and Time

When looking for study abroad accommodation, you need to think about certain things. The location of the place must be near your university. Plus, the travel time should be less as you don’t want to spend hours on your commute to and from the university. You can pick localities according to your choices and convenience. If you like quiet and rush-free localities, then it is suggested that you live in the nearby suburbs. However, if you stay an hour away from the university, it might be quite inconvenient for you. So before you decide on your stay, it’s important to know how long and how much it is going to take you to travel from your accommodation to the university. The next step is to make sure that there are general shops, a medical clinic and some hangout spots around your student housing because “all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy”, and you don’t want to be like Jack.

Other considerations?

A few more things to consider while booking ideal accommodation for students are:

• The accommodation should have good reviews and ratings.
• If you need any special utilities such as a lift or parking space, ensure that the accommodation provides them.
• Do the check-in and check-out timings work for you?

Searching for an ideal accommodation is a very complicated and laborious task, especially for those who happen to be moving away from home for the very first time. In such cases, house-hunting becomes all the more tricky, but keeping these tips and tricks in mind, you are sure to find yourself a comfortable bed to sleep in after a long and tiring day. 

You should be able to focus on your studies and prepare for your tests without disturbance. But if you plan to study in accommodation shared by multiple students, it can be challenging to focus on your studies. The disturbance and peer pressure can distract you and affect your studies. 

But there is a positive side to staying in shared accommodation. As you live away from your family in a new country, you are more likely to feel homesick and lonely. But when you share an apartment with other international students who are also away from their homes, you establish a friendship and bond which can help you in your loneliness. Your roommates will be there to support you, give you company and enjoy your time in the new country. It is also helpful for students to study in accommodation shared by multiple students. All the students are going through the same phase of life in campus life and international studies. It will help you to be a part of a similar atmosphere and won’t feel lonely. 

Starting life in a new place has a sense of appeal and allure to it. Nevertheless, we fully understand that looking for a student accommodation abroad that fits your requirements in a brand new city can turn out to be an incredibly challenging task. Well, don’t worry! You do not have to go through this all alone. You are always welcome to ask for additional assistance from the accommodation office at your university, or book a one-on-one session with established student housing agencies. 

One such reputed student housing provider is Amberstudent.com, which offers budget-friendly student housing options in the UK, Ireland, US and Australia. You can find your preferred accommodation in a few easy steps: 

(i) Place a request on their website, specifying your budget and associated preferences 

(ii) According to your needs and requirements, they will shortlist properties exclusively for you 

(iii) You can then choose the place that you feel suits you the best 

To top it all off, their services are absolutely free! You could also join their student housing community on Facebook where you can post your requirements and get direct assistance and help from other students in the city that you will be living in. Most importantly, do not forget to carry your Zero Forex mark-up card for all your expenses.

Finding private student accommodation can be challenging for many students as they might have to live alone and bear all the expenses on their own. They also have to juggle the responsibilities like household chores, part-time work and studies. On top of that, arranging the funds for tuition fees, medical expenses, insurance, and groceries can further add pressure on them. Therefore students must find affordable shared accommodation that can help them reduce their expenses and have company as well.

FAQ

Which country has the best accommodation for students?

Though each country has its own type of accommodations for students. Countries like the USA, Australia, the UK, Germany, and Ireland are some of the top countries for high-quality on-campus and off-campus accommodation for students. 

How do you find accommodation when studying abroad?

Finding accommodation when studying abroad doesn’t have to be complicated, especially when you use technology to simplify things. You can do online searches to find various types of accommodations. You can also talk with university student advisors who will help you with a list of various accommodations on-campus or nearby the campus. 

What is the best way to pay your accommodation rent?

Though most students pay their rent with cash, it is not advisable to do so. Paying with cash doesn’t allow you to keep track of your money, and there is digital proof of paying the rent. On the other hand, you can use student cards or zero forex cards like Niyo Global to pay your student rent. That way, you can effectively track your money and have digital proof as well. 

How can international students save money on rent?

There are different ways to save money on rent. You can live in a shared apartment with other students, so the rent is shared among the tenants. You can also use forex cards to pay for your rent and avoid any forex markup charges on your transactions.