Lodging

When choosing a program, you may want to consider the overnight accommodations and how those may affect your study abroad experience. Because not all programs offer accommodation options, you should weigh those available for your program choice in light of your own personal comfort needs (what you think are minimum necessities) and what you could sacrifice to have this new international experience. You might consider, for example, whether you would prefer to make friends with your American classmates in shared accommodations or would welcome the opportunity to meet locals or other international students in a university dormitory or homestay. In addition, you might ask whether you would prefer a roommate – or would sleep more soundly in a single room.

Some programs house students in dormitory-style accommodations; others will have arrangements in shared apartments (single or double occupancy in a bedroom), and still others will offer a homestay opportunity. In addition, many programs have planned overnight excursions and field trips. Student flexibility is especially important on field trips because the instructor does his or her best to find reasonably priced yet comfortable accommodations; however, they may be different than those arranged for the primary housing location. Some Summer Abroad programs such as the Grand Tour, Sustainable Cities and Costa Rican Communities travel quite a bit, so there is a lot of variety in the housing facilities; your overnight may vary from 3-star hotels to budget hostels. It’s important to note that all Summer Abroad programs aim to find the best possible lodging that will accommodate the size of the group at reasonable prices to keep the overall cost of the program down. With this goal in mind, instructors often seek double rooms or facilities with rooms that accommodate 4-6 people or more.