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After deciding where and when you want to study abroad, the next question you should ask yourself is “What is my preferred housing situation?” While some students really like to immerse themselves in the local culture by staying with a host family in a homestay, or enjoy the socialization and amenities in a dorm, shared apartments are the way to go for students who want a little more independence.

Read on to learn more about why you should choose to live in a shared apartment during your study abroad program: 

First, what is the living situation in a shared apartment abroad? 

Shared apartments are where, while studying abroad, you’ll be living either with roommates who are also students or solo in a shared building with people who may or may not be other students.  

Benefits of a Shared Apartment 

There are so many amazing benefits of choosing an apartment for your study abroad housing. For one thing, you’ll have access to a kitchen, which is a great way to save money on meals, as you can cook for yourself!  

Perhaps the biggest benefit is the amount of independence. Because you’ll be in an apartment building, you’ll live amongst people who may or may not be students on your program or who attend your host university — it’s a great way to get a sense of how locals live their daily lives!  

Then there’s the location. For students who want to embrace the hustle and bustle of a city and have access to everything it has to offer, an apartment can be a great option. Typically, they’re located in a centralized area with solid access to your host university abroad on foot or via public transportation. 

If your host university is in more of a suburban or rural area, or has a more traditional campus feel, apartments may be located on-site.

Don’t take our word for it. Here’s what some of our former students said about their apartment experiences around the world: 

“Living in the apartment allowed me to cook my own meals and not worry about my selective taste palate. I also wanted the time flexibility to eat when I wanted, as opposed to the homestay option where your host parents would prepare food at a particular time.”  — Jordan, AIFS Abroad in Salamanca, Spain alum 

“One of the best aspects of our apartment is not what is inside, but our location. We are only a ten-minute walk from La Sagrada Familia! Coming to Barcelona, I was most excited to see La Sagrada Familia, and now I live here and walk by the amazing sight every day on my way to school.” — Megan, AIFS Abroad in Barcelona, Spain alum