On Campus

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Lease Agreements
Off Campus
On Campus
Settling In

Living on campus offers a lot of convenience and good opportunities to make friends. You will be nearer the university facilities, libraries, activity centers, computer equipment, sports and recreation facilities, cafeterias, and your classes. On-campus housing also is often less expensive than off-campus options. Another advantage is that you will not need a car to commute to campus.

The down side of living on campus is that you lose privacy. At some schools they may even house men and women together, though usually on separate floors. Be sure you understand the arrangements before you commit yourself to any living arrangement.

The typical dorm is more than just a place to sleep. Your dorm may offer quiet areas for study or even a computer lab. It may also offer recreation areas and rooms for social activities. Your room can be anything from a single room, too a double room that you share with a roommate, to a large room that holds 24 students who may share a bathroom and living room. Another option is on-campus apartments. While these apartments are usually reserved for graduate or married students you can sometimes secure one as an undergraduate. These apartments are great options because they allow you to share the rent with a roommate and cook your own food.

Once you're enrolled in an institution, their admissions department or international student office will usually send you a "pre-departure orientation" packet. The packet will include information on accommodations options.

Special Accommodations

Some schools also offer special arrangements such as: foreign-language houses, international living centers, or quarters for people sharing a particular interest such as engineering or agriculture.

Meals

On-campus accommodations also offer close proximity to the cafeteria and other eating establishments. You will usually have several meal plans to choose from which will allow you to eat the school's dining halls, cafeterias, and snack bars. Contact the school's housing department for information on their meal plans.

On most campuses, you may also deposit a certain amount of money at the beginning of the semester for food. When you buy an item it's cost is deducted from the balance in your account throughout the semester.