• You may be faced with lots of choices about where to live. Your foreign student adviser can help you make a decision about the accommodations that are right for you.
• Living on campus offers convenience and good opportunities to make friends, but you lose privacy and must be flexible as you encounter other lifestyles.
• The written word is strict. Read thoroughly and understand before signing documents such as leases and contracts.

Living in the United States will be very exciting for you. Finding the right place to live will enhance your experience. As with many things in the United States, you may have several options for housing. If your college or university is located in a large city it may not offer on-campus housing. If your institution is a residential campus you will be asked to choose among several on-campus housing options.

You may choose to live on campus or off campus. Regardless of which you choose you will have to sign an agreement or a lease. It is important to understand this kind of legal document before you commit yourself.

Living on Campus
You might want to live on campus for your first academic year or term, particularly if you are an undergraduate. On-campus housing often is less expensive and more convenient than off-campus options. On campus, you will have easy access to the library, computer equipment, the student center, sports and recreation facilities, cafeterias, and your classes. More important, you will have the greatest possible opportunity to interact with other students.

The typical U.S. residence hall or dormitory offers more than just a place to sleep. Emphasis is placed upon supporting students academic objectives through academic and social activities. For example, your residence hall may offer quiet areas for study or even a computer lab. It may also offer recreation areas and rooms for social activities such as watching movies. A typical dormitory room may hold 24 students who may share a bathroom and living room. (There are few single rooms in U.S. dormitories.) The room is not likely to have a kitchen, although common kitchens may be available. The university will offer several meal plans from which you may choose. Large colleges and universities will have several dining halls, cafeterias, snack bars, and even fast-food restaurants. Smaller institutions may have one or two cafeterias, generally in close proximity to residence halls.

Your college or university may house men and women together; not all institutions maintain separate accommodations for men and women. Be sure you understand the arrangements before you commit yourself to any living arrangement.

On-campus apartments are often reserved for graduate students or for students with families. Because apartments are very popular, there is often a waiting list for on-campus apartments. In an apartment you can share costs with additional roommates and can cook your own food. Your college or university may also plan special activities for residents who live in campus-owned apartments.

"Fraternities" and "sororities" are social clubs for men and women, respectively. Ask your foreign student adviser for more information if you are curious about this particularly American aspect of campus life.

Some universities offer special living arrangements for students who share interests. For instance, on many campuses students who seek contact with people from other countries may choose to live in an "international house" or "international living center." Residents may plan programs and activities focusing on global issues. Other special-interest housing options may include: foreign-language houses, honors houses (for individuals of superior academic achievement), or houses organized by academic discipline (engineering, business, etc.). There may be an additional charge for some of these options.

You should contact your institutions housing office as soon as possible to learn more about the various options available to you. Be sure you understand the terms of any agreement you sign for housing.

Living off Campus
Many foreign students, particularly graduate students, prefer the independence of living off campus. In some cases, students find off-campus living to be more affordable because they can share costs. You should exercise care, however, in selecting the right apartment or house. If you plan to seek housing off campus, arrive well before classes start. Information about temporary housing may be available from your international student office or from the university's housing office.

Your international student office may offer assistance in locating off-campus housing. Some colleges and universities maintain a list of available apartments and may provide students with names of others who are seeking roommates. Other students from your country may be a good source of information about housing near your college or university.

When choosing an apartment you should consider its cost, proximity to campus, and safety. Is the property well lighted? Are there adequate locks on the windows and doors? If you have children, you will want to consider the distance to their school or child-care center.

Apartments and houses (on or off campus) are usually rented unfurnished, which means that they have a stove and refrigerator. Furnished apartments usually have, in addition to the stove and refrigerator, basic furniture such as a couch, chairs, tables, beds, and chests of drawers. Dishes, cooking utensils, bed sheets, and towels are not provided.

Buying new household furnishings can be very expensive, as can shipping all of the necessary belongings from home. A less expensive alternative is to buy used furnishings. Check the classified section of the newspaper and the notice boards at your school for used furniture sales. You can also buy used furniture from community thrift stores such as the Salvation Army and Goodwill. ("Thrift stores" obtain their goods from donations from the public. Items are cleaned and sold.)

The least expensive way to furnish your home is to buy items at a garage sale, moving sale, or yard sale. Americans hold such sales in their yard or garage to clear their home of unwanted items. In university communities, many students sell their goods when they finish their studies and move away. Look for advertisements in the newspapers or notices posted at street corners. Come early to get the best buy, and yes, it is OK to barter over the price!

Lease Agreements
A "lease" is a binding legal contract between you and the property owner, or landlord. When you sign a lease, you are obligated to pay the landlord monthly rent for the duration of the lease. Most leases are for 9 or 12 months, and it is usually difficult to break or alter a lease. Therefore, before you sign you should be reasonably sure that you can live with your decision for the duration of the lease. With permission from your landlord, you may be allowed to find a tenant to take your place for the remainder of your contract. If you "sublease" your apartment to other tenants, however, you probably will remain responsible for their actions. Make sure you are very clear about who pays for what in a sublease agreement. Get it all in writing.

Never sign a lease unless you are completely satisfied with the apartment and surrounding property. Sign only when you understand all the terms of the lease. It is often possible to negotiate with the landlord about individual terms of the lease.

When you sign a lease, you will typically be required to pay a "security deposit," usually equivalent to at least one month's rent, in addition to the first month's rent. The security deposit will be returned to you when you move out, provided you leave the apartment in good condition. In addition, you may incur expenses that you would not incur on campus. For example, most apartments come equipped with basic appliances such as stove and refrigerator, but you may need to purchase or rent a bed and other furniture, as well as kitchen equipment, a telephone, and other items. Also, you probably will be responsible for paying the cost of your telephone service and "utilities": water, electricity, and gas. The utility companies may require you to pay a deposit before service is activated. These deposits will be refunded to you or credited to your account when you terminate your service, provided you have paid all of your bills.

Renter's checklist

• Does the building have a fire escape? If not, where is the nearest emergency exit?
• Whom do you call for emergency repairs?
• Are there laundry facilities in the building or nearby?
• Is parking available? If so, is it free? If not, where will you park your car?
• Is the apartment located near public transportation?
• How, where, and when do you dispose of trash?
• Who pays for electricity, gas, and water?
• What are the requirements for full refund of the security deposit?

Whether you plan to live on or off campus, consider protecting your belongings with renter's insurance. With renter's insurance, the insurance company will compensate you if your personal belongings are stolen or destroyed.

Very few foreign students will purchase a home or condominium apartment. If you plan to remain in the United States for more than five years, however, purchasing property may be a wise investment. Consult a real estate agent if you believe this may be an option for you. The agent will explain the many details involved in buying property, which is a complicated matter, even for Americans; it should be undertaken with great care.