Are you planning your higher education abroad? If so, then after completing the admission process and study permit obligations, you have to face the very big challenge of finding the right and affordable accommodation for you before traveling to your study destination. You might be wondering what’s the challenge in this? Well, the challenge is to find accommodation in a foreign country while you are in your home country. It may take several stressful days and undying effort to come up with the best possible location. And it has to be the best in your budget since that place is going to be your home for the next 2-3 years. While it is challenging but not impossible, as long as you have the right knowledge and direct your efforts in the right direction, you will soon finalize your accommodation. 

To help you through this tiring and stressful process, we have listed some important things that you should consider while looking for ideal accommodation. 

Sources of finding the options for your accommodation 

1. Online websites: There are plenty of websites that provide multiple options for accommodation in different countries, cities, etc. Some of the popular websites are Amber Student, Uniacco, Nepstick, Homelike, Roomi, Spotahome, etc. 

2. Take help from your university: Many universities have admission committees for international students who help them in moving to the country and, hence, help them in finding and selecting the best place to live for the duration of the course. You can check on the website of your university or college whether they provide any such service or not.

3. Newspapers and classified ads: You can find digital copies of the newspapers of a foreign country. And then, you can scrutinize the classified section to see the available options for accommodation in the area you are looking for. 

4. Use your contacts: Some people have relatives living abroad, and they can get help from them. If you don’t have someone living abroad, then check out the social media, and see if any friends of your friend or anyone who you might find can help you with finding accommodation. 

5. Take the help of study abroad consultants: If none of the above-mentioned sources worked for you, then visit a study abroad consultant as they can help you for sure. They are experienced professionals and have knowledge of several accommodation options. 

Factors to consider when choosing an accommodation

1. Location: Try to find accommodation near your college or university to save yourself from transportation charges. Moreover, if that is not possible, then try to live in an area where the market and everything else is nearby. 

2. Type of accommodation: The most affordable one will be on-campus accommodation, and the most expensive one will be renting an apartment for yourself. You can decide this as per your comfort and budget. 

3. Financing the accommodation: This plays an important role in determining the option you can select as you have to cover your tuition fees, travel costs, and other living expenses. Accommodation costs are going to be fixed costs over the tenure of your study, so be rational while selecting. 

4. Safety: Enquire about the safety of the location as it’s going to be your home for a long period. 

One pro tip that you can use is to select accommodation only for a few weeks or months. In this way, you will decide whether this is a good option, and if it isn’t, then you can search for other options while living there. Also, check out scammers by inquiring about the location, property, etc., and don’t rush to make payments. Happy searching!