Fastest ways to secure student accommodation when moving to a new city or country for studies

Finding housing in a foreign country and city can be a difficult undertaking for scholarship students or students currently. I have put together the  following advice to help you in your search process.

1. Start from your university residences or dormitories; Charity they say start from home. Numerous host Universities provide housing alternatives on their campuses. These student accommodations are often more convenient (close to the Uni) and economical. However, not all universities usually states this clearly on their web page, thus you might have to contact the international office to inquire about this. Nevertheless, the caveat to Uni housing and dormitories is that privacy may be restricted because sharing with numerous roommates is common. However, many students usually use this option to get familiar to the city and then later change to something more comfortable over time.

2. Off-campus option; First and foremost, speak with other senior students, friends, or acquaintances who lived in the area or went to the same university. They can provide insightful opinions and suggestions based on their personal experiences. Additionally, interact with locals through social media and online groups to get suggestions or advice. Use reliable websites that provide verified listings while looking for accommodations online. These portals frequently include images and thorough descriptions of the homes, assisting you in making a selection. Avoid making hasty judgments or putting money down before visiting a potential accommodation. Websites like Erasmusu, Uniplaces, and Spotahome offer a wide range of verified accommodations for students.

3. Social media platforms; this option is becoming one of the fastest ways in which students on scholarship or Erasmus students search for accommodation. Before moving over to a city or country, you can search and join Facebook groups that target international students. Join these groups and make nice posts to inquiry on the availability of student housing or people who are willing to sublet their accommodation for short periods of time. Unfortunately, scams can occur when searching for accommodation online. An important tip is always to check the online profile of anyone who claims to have available accommodation. Avoid people whose profiles look scanty with no authentic information. Never pay anything in advance unless it is through a secure website or real estate agency. Scammers will usually put student under pressure for them to make deposit claiming that many other students are also interested in the same accommodation. As mentioned earlier, never make payments online, visit the apartment, assess the authenticity before making payment. You may also need to get help from the international office of your university in the assessment process.

I hope these tips help you out in this critical phase of your studies.