By Dr. Curtis H. Porter
Dean of International Programs
Troy State University

Where should you live when attending a college or university in the United States? The answer will depend on what options are available, your financial considerations, as well as your personal preferences. Of course, the options available will vary greatly from institution to institution. Some schools provide a wide range of accommodations on campus while others have little or no residential facilities.
In the early development of higher education in the United States, the tendency was to establish institutions of higher learning in remote areas. Therefore, most of the older colleges and universities are located in what are still relatively small towns. These institutions usually have a variety of on-campus housing, ranging from private rooms, to special purpose dormitories, to large suites which are shared by many students. They also vary greatly in terms of cost. Most universities with large residential facilities also provide a choice of dining options on campus. On-campus housing is of course very convenient. It saves any expense involved in transportation and maximizes your opportunity to study.

Special housing, known as international houses, are frequently available for international students. These offer a rich variety of possibilities to interact with students from around the world. The colleges and universities of the United States continue to attract more than one of every three students who study outside of their native countries. Therefore, if you live in a facility such as an international house you will have opportunities to meet students from many other cultures, and you can make lifelong friendships with people from around the world. At my school - Troy State University in Alabama - the local Rotary Club has built and is now expanding our Rotary International House. It is a center of cultural and social activities, and is home to international as well as US students.

Frequently, larger schools offer special dormitories for graduate students. These tend to be somewhat spartan in their furnishings and inexpensive, but they provide a very quiet, convenient place to study. Unfortunately, at many schools these dormitories close for vacations - especially around the Christmas holidays. This can be very inconvenient for international students who cannot afford to go home for the holidays.
What about off-campus housing? Here the possibilities are endless, but you need to know a little bit more about the school and its location. Extensive private student housing has developed around many colleges and universities. Often, apartment buildings catering to students are located on extensions of the campus. There may also be inexpensive housing available in condominiums as well as in separate houses. Frequently, older houses near campuses are converted into apartments. While these may not be maintained as well as the dormitories, they offer a reasonable and very inexpensive option. Often the international student office at American schools maintains listings of a variety of housing, both on and off campus.

Living off-campus generally allows students greater freedom than living on-campus. They are often not constrained by campus or dormitory rules, and they are free to change living arrangements at any time, rather than being basically tied to an on-campus arrangement for an entire term or school year. Kitchen access is often easier to come by in off-campus housing than in on-campus arrangements, allowing students to cook for themselves. On the other hand, living off-campus entails more responsibility and more "real-world" considerations than living on-campus. There are often separate bills which must be paid for rent, natural gas, water, electricity, and insurance, to name a few. Students will often need to do their own grocery shopping, and address problems and arrange for any repairs on their own. In comparison, on-campus living can be much simpler.

Another disadvantage of locating off-campus is that you may have no place to stay when you initially arrive in the United States. You would have to arrange temporary living arrangements, such staying in relatively expensive hotels or motels, until you secure off-campus housing. Many students find that its a wise choice to live on-campus, at least initially. They use the time during their initial term living on-campus to research the available housing, both on-campus and off-campus. After some reflection, they are more likely to make a fully informed decision, and make the choice that suits their needs best.