Some students want to rent a private room from a family or an individual who has a house or condominium. On campus there are two bulletin boards which have postings of available rooms for rent. These bulletin boards are in the following locations:  Office of International Education and Exchange, and Office of Housing and Residence life.

The cost of renting a room is usually $500 to $700 per month, plus a fair share of the utilities (telephone, gas, electricity, etc.). Some rooms are furnished and some are not. Food and meals are not included. However, sometimes housemates will buy their food together and take turns cooking. Each situation is a little different. You may also be required to pay a security deposit (usually about $400).

If you want to rent a room search the bulletin boards mentioned above for a room which fits your budget and personal preferences (smoking, pets, male/female, distance from campus, etc.), then call the listed telephone number and ask questions about the room, about the rules for living there, and about the other people living in the house. It usually takes at least a few days to find a suitable place to live. So, you should plan on staying at a hotel for the time it takes to find a room.

Before you make a decision, you should take a look at the room and meet the residents. When you are finished with your studies and are ready to move out of the room, you should give the other residents at least one month's advance notice that you are moving out.

Living with college-age housemates can be a good way to improve your English and to make new friends.