Going abroad can be a wonderful experience, but what is the rooming situation like? What are the stressors when deciding who you are going to live with when you return from studying abroad?
Kate Izzo ‘26 and her roommates have faced difficulty while trying to figure out their living situations for the upcoming academic year.
“The whole process is annoying because it’s hard to find people to switch off with. My roommate and I are both going abroad in the spring, one is going in the fall and the other one isn’t going at all. It has felt like the most impossible process with trying to figure everything out,” Izzo said.
For the most part, it is up to you to figure out your future housing situation. However, Loyola does facilitate events such as roommate socials, where you can meet potential roommates if you are on the fence about your living situations for the following year.
But are there any stressors that come with studying abroad, apart from just being in a different country? Wouldn’t it be frustrating if you do not have a place to come back to here at Loyola? With the new school year being only a few months away, students are expressing concern.
“I am worried that an extra person will get added to our roommate group at the last minute. We haven’t gotten any clear information on who would be added, if anyone, and the lack of communication is frustrating,” Izzo said.
Other students studying abroad this next academic year don’t all share Izzo’s sentiment and worry.
“I didn’t have any stresses. I figured that it would be something I figured out. I got an offer to live with someone, but if that falls through then I’ll just figure it out,” Sophia Graney ‘26 said.
Director of Residence Life and Housing Neil Andrito offered some solutions for students who are choosing to study abroad and are nervous about their current or future dorm situation.
“I would encourage them to talk to their friends and try to form a plan, but prepare to be adaptable. I would also strongly encourage students to prioritize the often once-in-a-lifetime experience of studying abroad over their concerns about housing when returning to campus. We will work with everyone, and make sure you have space on campus. We want you to have this experience, and we want to ensure a smooth return,” Andrito said.
Although students studying abroad during the academic year face issues surrounding living situations upon their departure or return, others are in a different situation with their study abroad experience.
Maeve Walsh ‘26 chose to do a summer program during her time at Loyola.
“It was a summer program so our housing for Loyola was the same when we came back in the fall. It wasn’t very stressful at all,” Walsh said.
To be eligible to participate in room selection, students must meet several deadlines. There are three separate phases required to be completed when selecting your housing for the following year. Loyola’s Residence Life and Housing website gives step by step instructions to students and attempts to answer any questions students or parents may have when it comes to the housing process, with an entire section on their website dedicated to walking returning students through the process and helping to the best of their abilities.
