<p>Hi, I'm an Australian undergraduate student about to go on exchange at U Michigan in fall 2010.
Was hoping for tips on accommodation and what not from anyone who can share some insight.</p>
<p>Any tip or hint would be helpful as I have never been to the States in my life and this will be an awesome experience =).</p>
<p>Cheers,
Mike</p>
<p>Will you be staying in the college dorms as part of exchange? In that case, they’ll assign you. Depending on what part of Australia you’re from, you may want to get familiar with WINTER and plan on bringing some warm clothes. Read different threads on this board to get a sense of college-town life in Ann Arbor. Make sure you take some side trips, such as Chicago (believe there’s a Megabus direct rate for student’s that’s cheap) etc. and definitely save for a weekend trip to New York City if you’ve never been.
The new North Quad residence is a theme residence for global and international studies – but many will be trying to get assigned lodging there. If you’re given the opportunity to select, that may be an interesting environment for you! You’ll have a blast.
Cheers,
K</p>
<p>Hi K thanks for the advice,
I have a choice of staying on campus or off campus, I very much hope i get somewhere central on campus though.
Yes I heard WINTER is quite aggressive compared to Sydney so I shall definitely prepare myself for that.</p>
<p>Cheers,
Mike</p>
<p>Even though dorm life is less than luxurious at UMich or any other university, I would likely choose dorm life for the social component, and aim for North Quad (which is on central campus and brand new this year) for the folks inclined to be interested in an international flavor, or depending on your year, look for community fits such as Stockwell for Sophomores or Alice Lloyd for arts/creative writing programming (both on the Hill, close to central campus). If WI FI is important to you, opt for Stockwell or North Quad – Alice Lloyd isn’t there yet. Hopefully other posters will give you info re: location etc. Just didn’t want you to go unanswered. Check out the UMich facebook groups to better connect with actual attending students – eg. whatever your grad year is there will be a group you can join. That way you’ll hear more of the flavor/skinny/have access to students on campus.
Cheers,
K</p>