Almost all U.S. colleges and universities provide their students
with the option to live in residence halls or dormitories (also
called "dorms"). These are usually for single students, not for
married couples or families, and are situated on or close to the
campus. It is a great place to meet U.S. students and make new
friends rapidly. Dormitory rooms are equipped with basic furniture,
and many dormitories in the United States also have a cafeteria. In
some dorms there may be a kitchen for those who would rather cook
for themselves. Dormitories usually have common rooms where students
can get together to watch television, play games, or simply be with
friends. Supervisors, often called "residence advisers" or "resident
directors," often live in dormitories to keep an eye on safety and
cleanliness and to make sure the rules are observed. Most of the
time, these residence advisers are students themselves, employed by
the university. The residence adviser can also be a great source of
information and support throughout the academic year.
Usually there is a great demand for residence hall space, and it
might not be easy to get a room. As soon as you receive your
acceptance letter from your chosen school, return the housing
application. An advance deposit may be required. At some colleges
and universities, dormitory rooms are so much in demand that a
lottery is held to determine who will be granted space.
Some campus housing closes for holidays, vacations, and break
periods; others may be open year-round. If you require campus
housing during vacations and holiday periods, be sure to inquire
well in advance regarding availability. Also check with your
international student adviser regarding the possibility of a
homestay or off-campus housing options
Many rooms in dormitories are shared with one or more roommates.
Many universities require first year students to share a room. Your
roommate will be someone of the same sex, whom you will not know. Be
prepared to live with someone who could be very different from you.
Roommate arrangements often lead to life-long friendships, but on
rare occasions roommates can prove mismatched. If you have problems
in your living arrangements with your roommate, do not hesitate to
contact your residence adviser or anyone else in charge of housing
at your university to discuss the situation. In extreme cases, it is
possible to change rooms or roommates.
Dormitory rooms usually do not have a private bath or toilet.
Instead, residents share large "community" bathrooms, which are
separate for men and women. In the United States, a bathroom
includes a toilet, a sink, and a bathtub or a shower.
Generally, students living in a dormitory have to follow a set of
rules to ensure smooth community living. There are rules to control
the noise level, the cleanliness, the number of visitors, and other
aspects of living. These rules can vary from building to building to
cater to different student tastes. For example, some dormitories
might be designated as "24-hour quiet" buildings for students who
prefer a more studious lifestyle, while some others might not have
strict noise regulations for students who have a more spirited
lifestyle. Make sure you are familiar with the rules before you move
into a residence hall to avoid unnecessary discomfort or
misunderstandings. |
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Coed dormitories have both
men and women living in the same building. For some international
students, this might be a new and very different concept, but it
works very well on U.S. campuses. However, male and female students
do not share rooms. Sometimes men and women live on different floors
or in separate suites, which are small apartments that contain
several sleeping rooms, a common living area, and one or two
bathrooms.
These dormitories are
for those who prefer to live in an all-male or all-female
environment. Universities may set aside a residence or at least part
of a residence building that houses women and men separately.
Some universities operate
apartment houses on campus. Apartments are always in high demand.
Usually priority is given to upper-level undergraduate and graduate
students and to students who are married.
Fraternities (for
men) and sororities (for women) are close-knit social organizations
of undergraduate men and women who live in a house operated by the
organization. Fraternity and sorority houses may be either on- or
off-campus. There is emphasis on social activity in fraternities and
sororities. New members are chosen through various means during a
period called "rush week." Rush week is often held the week before
classes begin. Living in a fraternity or sorority house may be
restricted to upper-level students.
At some universities
certain apartments or houses are owned and operated by the
university exclusively for married students and families. Usually,
only a limited number of units are available. These houses and
apartments are usually furnished. The demand for these units is very
high. Married students should inquire as early as possible about the
availability of these houses or apartments.
"Before I left for the USA, I knew that as a first-year student I
would have to live in the university dormitory in a shared room. I
was afraid that life in the dormitories would be too loud and would
not help my studies. I also did not like the idea of having to share
my room with a complete stranger! I contacted the international
student adviser in my university to ask for advice, and he wrote to
me that the university offered what he called '24-hour quiet' floors
for students who wanted to live in a more quiet and studious
environment. I eventually got a single room on a 24-hour quiet
floor. It was strange at first to share my room with another person,
but I soon got used to it. My roommate and I eventually became good
friends. Living on campus also had many advantages, for example,
being able to get up later in the morning for class! Of course, as
in any living arrangement, there were some times when the residence
was not so quiet or studious, but we had a residence adviser who
made sure the rules were observed. I do not regret taking the
decision to live in residence. It made me enjoy my time in the
United States even more!"
— Christina, Sweden |
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