A Comprehensive Comparison of On-Campus vs. Off-Campus Accommodation for Students Abroad
In the present scenario, it has become very easy to enroll in a country abroad; however, the trend of studying abroad is not new and we can read the names of presidents, prime ministers, and other celebrities in the history of past 150 years, who went abroad to get higher education. After enrolling in a country abroad, the most important thing for international students happens to be accommodation.
Different accommodation options are available for students in various countries and cities in the world such as on-campus accommodation, off-campus accommodation for students, private rental apartments, and homestays. Here, we will provide a comprehensive comparison of two types of accommodations: on-campus and off-campus.
- Ownership
Ownership is a major thing that differentiates on-campus and off-campus accommodations. On-campus accommodations are owned by universities or colleges whereas off-campus student accommodations are developed and owned by the private developers or owners.
- Location
On-campus accommodations are usually found inside or attached to university campuses. So, these accommodations are considered the best for students who want to live in the proximity to their university campuses.
On the other hand, off-campus student housing properties are available in different locations. Some off-campus student accommodations are very close to universities and colleges sometimes within the walking distance whereas there are some, which are available in diverse neighborhoods.
- Amenities
Today, numerous amenities are offered to students in different accommodation properties. However, there is no fixed rule about the availability of amenities but usually, it is seen that off-campus accommodations offer more amenities to students. The major reason behind this is that the major purpose of on-campus accommodation is to accommodate students whereas off-campus accommodations are also designed to earn profit since they are operated by private developers. Therefore, owners of off-campus accommodations provide several amenities to allure students.
In on-campus accommodations, study desks and chairs, internet, games rooms, etc. are offered. On the other hand, gyms, swimming pools, games rooms, cinemas, karaoke rooms, yoga rooms, study desks and chairs, study rooms, internet with Wi-Fi, and many other basic and high-end facilities may be found in off campus student accommodation properties. However, some on-campus accommodations may also provide some of the high-end amenities.
- Freedom
There are strict rules on on-campus accommodations since they are operated by universities or colleges whereas you find more freedom in your student accommodation available off-campus. You can arrange parties with more freedom in your accommodation and can do a lot of activities for which there are the strict rules on on-campus accommodation.
- Privacy
Privacy is another factor which differentiates on-campus and off-campus accommodations. On-campus accommodations provide less privacy to students whereas in off-campus accommodations, students can find their private spaces unless they have chosen shared rooms.
- Stay Durations
In on-campus accommodations, you usually sign contract for shorter period but in off-campus accommodations, you have more options and you can find accommodations for longer stay durations also. As a matter of fact, there are both short-term and long-term options are available in on-campus accommodations.
- Flexibility in Lease Terms
Lease terms of off-campus are more flexible compared to on-campus accommodations. These terms are negotiable whereas there are fewer chances of negotiations in on-campus accommodations. Off-campus accommodations might offer special deals or adjusted rates for students who only need housing during specific parts of the year, like summer or a single semester.
- Policy for Vacations
In many on-campus accommodations, you may have to leave the place during vacations and make other arrangement for your stay if you are not going anywhere on vacations. But, off-campus accommodations usually allow you stay during your vacations also.
- Residents
Since an on-campus accommodation belongs to a specific university or college, you usually find students of that university or college only there. But, since off-campus accommodations are independent from universities and colleges, you can find students from different universities/colleges there. However, many of these accommodations are located near some universities and colleges so there may be the majority of students of one or two institutes.
- Access to University Facilities
Since on-campus accommodations are inside or attached to universities, their residents have more access to university facilities. They can use some of the facilities in off hours also, and this feature is not available for off-campus accommodations’ residents.
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