Exchange semesters, summer schools, language courses, and internships create a need for short-term housing that the standard 12-month lease market doesn’t serve. The sweet spot is 1–6 months — too long for hotels/hostels, too short for the standard rental process.
Housing Types
University Summer Accommodation
Many universities rent vacant dorm rooms during summer break (June–September in the Northern Hemisphere, December–February in Australia).
| Country | Example | Cost/Week |
|---|---|---|
| UK | LSE, UCL, Edinburgh | £150–300 |
| Australia | UNSW, Melbourne Uni | AUD 250–450 |
| US | NYU, UCLA, BU | USD 250–500 |
| Canada | UBC, UofT, McGill | CAD 200–400 |
| Singapore | NUS, NTU | SGD 150–300 |
Pros: On campus, legitimate, usually good value. Cons: Dates are fixed (must match summer break), and availability varies.
Coliving Operators
| Operator | Countries | Min Stay | Price Range/Month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Common | US (NYC, LA, SF, DC, Chicago) | 3 months | USD 900–1,800 |
| Habyt | Germany, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Netherlands | 1 month | €600–1,200 |
| Outsite | 40+ locations globally | 1 night | USD 800–2,000 |
| Selina | 25+ countries, 150+ locations | 1 night | USD 500–1,500 |
| The Collective | London (Canary Wharf, Old Oak) | 3 months | £1,200–1,800 |
| Quarters | UK, Germany, Netherlands | 1 month | £900–1,500 |
Pros: All-inclusive, furnished, professional management, built-in community. Cons: 20–40% premium over local rent.
Sublets
The holy grail of short-term housing. Find students going on exchange or internship who need someone to take their room.
Where to find:
- University housing Facebook groups (search “[University] Housing/Sublets”)
- University accommodation office notice boards
- SpareRoom (UK), Flatmates.com.au (Australia), WG-Gesucht (Germany)
- Roomi (US cities)
Strategy: Post a “housing wanted” ad 6–8 weeks before arrival. Subletters almost always offer below market rate because they’re desperate to fill the room.
Homestay
Living with a local family. Particularly common for language students and under-18s. More expensive than sublets but offers cultural immersion and usually includes meals.
| Country | Cost/Week (incl. meals) |
|---|---|
| UK | £180–280 |
| Australia | AUD 280–380 |
| US | USD 200–400 |
| Canada | CAD 220–350 |
| Ireland | €180–250 |
| New Zealand | NZD 280–350 |
6-Month Lease Hack
In some countries, you can sign a standard 12-month lease and legally break it after 6 months with the right break clause. In the UK, a 6-month break clause is standard in many student lets (both sides can end the tenancy at 6 months with 1 month’s notice). In Germany, the statutory notice period is 3 months, so a 12-month contract effectively becomes 9 months minimum. Check the break clause before signing.
Cost Comparison: 3-Month Stay in London
| Option | Monthly Cost | 3-Month Total |
|---|---|---|
| Airbnb (private room, monthly discount) | £1,200 | £3,600 |
| University summer housing | £800 | £2,400 |
| Sublet (SpareRoom) | £700 | £2,100 |
| Coliving (The Collective) | £1,500 | £4,500 |
| Homestay | £900 | £2,700 |
Winner: Sublet. But it requires the most effort and luck.
FAQ
Can I use Airbnb for a full semester? Yes, but the math gets worse the longer you stay. Airbnb’s 30-day monthly discounts max out at 20–30% off. By month 4–5, you’ve paid significantly more than finding a local option.
What about the US F-1 visa 30-day rule? International students on F-1 visas can’t enter the US more than 30 days before their program start date. Plan accordingly — you can’t arrive in July for a September start.
OSHC for Australian study abroad → | Travel insurance for short stays →