How to find Housing as an Exchange Student

Finding housing as an exchange student can be quite the challenge. Three main elements make accommodation for exchange students particularly challenging. For one, exchange students are internationals and may face discrimination, second, they rent short-term which is not appealing to landlords and third, they have to find housing from a distance making them prone to scams. Oh and of course, there’s the ever-growing housing shortage. This Exchange Rooms article will go over each aspect and possible solutions.

Exchange Rooms

Exchange rooms can help you secure housing abroad. Search for rooms in the area or learn more and make an account!
Good luck finding housing, we’re rooting for you (heart-with-hands).

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The problem with finding housing as an exchange student

International students are often seen as a welcome addition to any university. But landlords don’t always seem to share the same idea. They might be afraid of language barriers or cultural differences or even discriminate against internationals. Be aware of your host culture, look for common ground, and seek support when you suspect discrimination.

Short-term housing may be the biggest cause of accommodation difficulties for exchange students. Arranging a viewing, preparing documents, cleaning the room; these are all things a landlord prefers to do only once in a while. Hence they give priority to long-term occupants who rent for minimally one year. That’s why Exchange Rooms can be so useful: it’s meant for short-term accommodation.

The horrible housing market isn’t built for exchange students. Universities know this, but can’t always do something about it. Some host universities have a reserved accommodation programme, allowing a part of the exchange students to live on campus. In this tight housing market, it’s best to diversify your options. Contact your host university, look on Facebook groups -but beware of scams!-, look on regional housing websites and, of course, take a look at the housing offer at Exchange Rooms. Make use of your personal network; maybe a fellow student who went on exchange to your host university last year has some valuable connections!

Scammers always look for vulnerable victims. And in a sense, exchange students are prime victims: they are desperate to find housing in this difficult housing market, and they have the disadvantage of distance. You can’t just visit a property when you’re looking for housing as an exchange student. A nice student room might turn out to be horrible, or not even exist at all. In this case, only one advice can be given: be aware. What seem to be too good to be true often is. Some universities or governments verify local landlords. Additionally, never pay anything upfront.

In short

Common problems: being international, short-term housing, scams, oversaturation of housing market

Possible solutions: seeking support from both home and host university, consulting trustworthy sites, international networks

Bonus Tip

Your current room might be your biggest asset. An exchange implies that there are about as many exchange students leaving your home university as there are exchange students arriving at your home university. Sublet your current room on Exchange Rooms to another student and sublet from a fellow exchange student, yourself! Exchange students helping each other out is the best way forward.