Housing is a key part of IES Abroad programs and is an important part of the study abroad experience. Excellence is one of our core values, and we are dedicated to providing meaningful, challenging experiences that foster personal, academic, and professional growth, with housing being an important part of that experience.
While housing matters, it is just one aspect of the broader study abroad experience. The memories students will treasure most are those made beyond their housing—immersing in new cultures, forming lifelong connections, and growing in ways that will stay with them long after they return home.
We recognize how important housing is to students and their families, and we aim to provide all the information needed to ensure confidence and clarity before arrival.
We are committed to finding secure, safe, quality housing options for students. We locate and contract housing for students every term that meets our high standards for health and safety while simultaneously increasing student understanding of the local culture. IES Abroad does not own housing like many U.S. campuses do. Housing options provided vary by term and location but may include homestay, residence hall, and apartment housing.
What to Expect from Housing Abroad
We are proud of the housing we acquire term after term for students on our programs. As students grow in their intercultural competence, they should be aware that housing abroad will not be the same as they have on their home campus. Smaller spaces, shared rooms and bathrooms, commuting via public transit, and more are all realities. No two rooms in any housing unit are identical. This is part of the intercultural experience of living and studying abroad. IES Abroad housing reflects how local and international students are housed at study abroad locations and should not be compared to student housing in the U.S.
Students should carefully consider if they would like IES Abroad housing or want to locate and contract housing on their own for their time abroad. Most colleges and universities have policies on whether students are permitted to live independently while studying abroad (see more on this below).
Housing Requests and Placement
In most cases, students can request their preferred housing type through a first-come, first-serve placement process. However, it’s important to note that living spaces, amenities, and prices vary. IES Abroad will inform students when detailed program housing options are available. While IES Abroad strives to honor a student’s request, specific housing placements are not guaranteed, and we encourage flexibility. We recommend reviewing housing options thoroughly before making a selection.
If a student has health or disability needs, they should consult their Program Advisor prior to submitting their housing request. Disability accommodations will be considered if documented by the student’s campus disability office and provided to IES Abroad at least two months prior to arrival. Keep in mind that accommodations can be provided in various housing types, but they do not guarantee a specific placement.
Students are encouraged to carefully consider whether they want IES Abroad-provided housing or to arrange their own. Many colleges and universities have specific policies about independent housing, with some not permitting it due to associated risks. If a student chooses to live independently, they are fully responsible for all aspects of securing, vetting, and managing their housing. IES Abroad cannot assist with independent housing arrangements.
It is important that we know in advance if a student intends to live in independent housing. Therefore, students requesting independent housing must submit the form in their MyIESabroad account with a signature from an approved party at their university, no later than the deadline listed in their MyIESabroad account. Students who submit a form after the listed deadline will be subject to non-recoverable costs determined according to the following schedule:
- 1 day to 5 days late: 10% of the base housing fee
- 6 days to 10 days late: 25% of the base housing fee
- Anything later than 10 days: full base housing fee
Housing will be automatically assigned to students who do not select housing or request independent arrangements by the deadline, and all students are responsible for IES Abroad housing fees unless an approved independent housing form is submitted on time.
Housing Change Requests
Once assigned, housing placements will not be changed by IES Abroad. After arrival, a student may request a change through onsite housing staff, but changes are subject to availability within IES Abroad-contracted housing. These requests will only be reviewed starting two weeks after the program begins, and while we will try to accommodate, a request does not guarantee a change. Any change may result in additional fees, which will be discussed with the student at the time of the offer (if the new requested housing is available).