Hey guys!
I’m from Australia and will be going on exchange to University of Arizona in Spring 2016, I’m currently trying to decide on housing and unsure whether to apply off-campus or on-campus? I’m 20 (will turn 21 in April) and want to meet lots of new people/have the classic American experience, but unsure whether I’ll be much older than everyone if I stay on campus.
I would suggest staying in an upper classman dorm or a dorm set up for transfer students. That way you would be around student taking similar courses and about the same age. I don’t think age will be an issue anywhere unless you end up in a freshman dorm which is unlikely. Generally, in the US, schools group the freshman all in the same dorms. Anybody else would be put in separate dorms. You definitely do not want a freshman dorm.
I would think that living off campus would give you a better feel for American life but a lesser feel for American college life.
Off campus would be my recommendation. Dorms are typically not very nice and are expensive for what they are. Off campus give you a lot more choice and quality.
If you really want to turn some heads, bring one of those Holden Utes over here with you.
I am currently at the University of Arizona as a freshman living in the dorms, and while they’re nice, I wouldn’t recommend them to you as an older student and I won’t be living on campus next year. The dorms are primarily freshman with some sophomores, and can even be a lot more expensive than nicer apartments off campus. Since you’re coming in the spring, you could try living in one for a semester, but that’s up to you whether you truly need that typical American college experience as if you were a freshman. Just my two cents
@LovelyLashes do you have any recommendations for off-campus accommodation? I’m leaning towards that but unsure which complexes are good/close to campus/not crazy expensive