It’s exciting to imagine the places you’ll see, the classes you’ll take, and the friends you’ll make as an international student. While you prepare for your journey, remember these strategies to help ensure you stay safe on campus, and enjoy your time studying abroad.
Check out our comprehensive safety guide for international students.
Live Your Best Campus Life
From orientation week to year-end barbecues, big games to study dates, student life is full of memorable moments. Particularly as an international student, it’s important to have fun, but also know and follow the local rules.
First, put a portable phone charger into your bag, so your phone will never run out of battery when you need it most. When you’re out, if there’s someone who’s bothering you or your friends, talk to a server or event staff for help, or consider leaving. It’s also okay to lie, or have a friend text you to get you out of an uncomfortable situation. (Having an exit code set up with your friends beforehand is even better.) Confronting someone instead, and getting into a fight can put your physical safety at risk, or possibly jeopardize your student status.
Where alcohol is concerned, know the local drinking age. In Canada, the drinking age changes depending on which province you’re in–and if you take a trip to the United States, it’s up to 21. Never leave your drink unattended, whether it’s alcoholic or not, and watch out for friends who seem suddenly dizzy or sleepy, are slurring their speech, or seem confused, as their drinks may have been tampered with. So, it’s smart to attend events with at least one person you know well, both so you can stay safe and so you can make new memories together.
Are your parents asking how to support your study abroad journey? Show them our Study Abroad Guide for Parents.
On-Campus Housing Tips
Whether you’re heading for a dorm room in the US, sharing a house in Australia, or staying with a host family in the United Kingdom, where you live is one of the most important choices you’ll make. Many international students choose to live on-campus, especially during their first year, to get used to their new environment. Living on-campus is a good way to meet other students, and being close to your classes and services like gyms, libraries, and cafes is another perk.
On-campus residences, whether dorms or apartments, are often in good condition, and residence advisors and campus security are accessible safety resources. Residence advisors are older students who support students in their hall, or on the same floor in larger buildings. If you’re having trouble with a peer, or simply need some help, they’re a good first person to talk with.While residence advisors work with students in campus housing, students living both on- and off-campus can go to the Student Support Services office or website for resources and guidance on everything from mental health to academics.
Note: Being a student can feel intense. That intensity can create fast, strong friendships–even so, make people earn your trust. Though many will, not everyone has your best interests at heart.
Also, check student pages for your college or university before picking on-campus housing. Past and current students often share things like which halls have the newest bathrooms, easiest access to classes, or weak air conditioning. While theft on campus is rare, some students buy a lockable container for valuables. (Whether “valuables” means your favourite snacks or special jewelry is up to you!)
Headed to Canada? Here are some strategies for finding student accommodation.
Off-Campus Housing Strategies
Student pages and online reviews are also good tools for finding reputable off-campus housing. So are student housing or international student offices, which can also connect you with other students looking for roommates.
When considering off-campus housing, here are some helpful tips:
- Use a Google reverse-image search to confirm the listing’s pictures match its address and aren’t borrowed from another website or location.
- Have a trusted friend, family member, or reputable real estate agent visit places you’re serious about to check their overall appearance and safety.
- Your rental contract is binding, and breaking it can be expensive. So, make sure you understand the contract’s terms. If anything doesn’t make sense, check with your institution’s housing office. They know local housing laws and can prevent you from entering into a bad contract.
- While requesting rent for your first and last month is standard in some Canadian provinces and American states, similar to a tenancy deposit in the UK, watch out for landlords who ask for money before anything is signed. This may be a sign of a scam.
- Note: “last month’s rent” and a “security deposit” are not the same thing.
- Look carefully at places that are much cheaper than similar rentals. If it looks too good to be true, there’s a good chance it is.
- Ask your new landlord to have the locks changed after you move in. It costs extra, but you’ll have peace of mind knowing only you and your landlord have a key.
Adjusting to a new country takes time. As you get up to speed, here’s how to dodge scams that target international students.
Social Media Smarts
Social media is a great way to stay connected with your friends and family. However, it can also be a window into your habits, recent spending, and overall location. Posting after an event, or turning the geotagging function off means strangers don’t know exactly where you are. Or, consider limiting your accounts to friends-only.
In case you lose your phone or laptop, open social media accounts—or worse, bank accounts—can have terrible consequences. Logging out can prevent this. To keep track of your passwords (because you’re not just using one password everywhere, right?), use a free password manager like 1Password or LastPass.
Studying abroad can be an amazing experience. To make the most of different events and your day-to-day life, do some research beforehand to understand what to expect. In the moment, trust your gut instinct. If something feels off, or wrong, it’s better to take a step back than risk your safety.
