Do’s & Don’t’s for Housing Abroad

For the majority of Marquette study abroad programs, students are required to secure housing
individually through the provided resources on the OIE website and/or host institution for their term
abroad. To assist in this process, OIE has developed this housing guide to remind you that if you are
living in accommodations for which there is a deposit, so they may provide further proof should a
situation arise in the future.

 DO take time-stamped ‘before-and-after' pictures or videos of your accommodation, especially

if you submitted a deposit
 DO complete the housing intake form (if applicable) and note ALL cracks, scratches, stains, etc.
that you find during your move-in
 DO make sure you are aware of service and/or maintenance fees your housing provider charges
in addition to your rent
 DO talk with your roommates about a general cleaning schedule or have a common
understanding of how to keep your common living spaces clean
 DO get receipt of payment (if doing monthly or a semester of rent payments)
 DO check the legal move-in and move-out date for your housing as well as cancellation policies
before you sign the lease agreement or contract.
 DO research your neighborhood area so that you’re familiar with the surroundings
 DO connect with past study abroad participants who have used the same housing provider so
that you can get personal feedback on the provider
 DO understand your residential and financial responsibilities – do you pay water and electricity?
Do you have to recycle a certain way? What is included with rent and what is additional?
 DO familiarize yourself with the nearest convenience store, grocery store, metro station, bus
station, post office, police station, etc.
 DO get all forms of communication and agreements in WRITING. You don’t want to end up in a
he said, she said type situation abroad.
 DON’T assume that you will be accommodated in a similar fashion as you would here in the
United States. Just because your neighbors tolerated your 2AM rock music doesn’t mean your
Italian neighbors will do the same. You are a GUEST abroad so adjust accordingly.
 DON’T sign a lease agreement if the terms of the housing rental seem too good to be true!
(chances are it’s a scam!)
 DON’T sign a lease agreement or contract if you haven’t seen the housing in person