Ireland and Scotland:

For the first 2 weeks of Summer in the British Isles, you will be traveling throughout Ireland and Scotland so you will be staying in shared rooms at hostels or hotels throughout the country. At most hotels, breakfast will be provided but all other meals will be your responsibility.

Keep an eye out for the hotel list, which will be sent out in the next few weeks!

London:

While you’re studying in London you’ll be living in a single room with shared common areas in a dorm-style suite. This way, you can have all of the luxuries of a traditional campus environment while enjoying a small, tight-knit community that makes it easy to get to know your British and international classmates. Many residence halls are near cafeterias, coffee and snack bars, and shops.

Take a tour of a typical Summer in London dorm:

Barcelona:

Homestay

Each homestay will include the following:

breakfast and dinner every day (Even on weekends! #moneysaver)
a set of keys to the apartment to come and go as you please
blankets, pillows, and sheets
communal living space or kitchen with a table and chairs
shared bathrooms which include toilet and bathing area
two meals per day: Breakfast and dinner
laundry service once a week

Students must abide by the Homestay rules.

Apartments

Fully equipped shared living spaces that students may live in jointly with other students – American or international (4-6 per apartment usually). Students who choose to live in an apartment do not get meals included, but have kitchen and cooking facilities.

Each apartment will have the following:

blankets and pillows
fully equipped kitchen with a stove-top range, refrigerator and sink
communal living space or kitchen with a table and chairs
shared bathroom which includes a toilet and a bathing area

Please note that although CISabroad makes every effort to provide your preferred form of housing, we cannot guarantee that all personal preferences are met. We have carefully selected safe and adequate housing for each student and each living arrangement is distinct and special in its own way.

There are no housing changes allowed during the first 2 weeks of the program. There is a natural adjustment period to life abroad and making any housing change decisions during this time is usually premature.

Here are some general rules, tips, and expectations to help you become accustomed to your new home!

Please note that although CISabroad makes every effort to provide your preferred form of housing, we cannot guarantee that all personal preferences are met. We have carefully selected safe and adequate housing for each student and each living arrangement is distinct and special in its own way.

Every housing placement is different with different pros and cons. Your accommodations will be different than what you’ve come to expect in your home country. In general, be prepared for a relatively small living space in an older building with very basic amenities. Now is the time to open your mind and get ready to experience something different; this attitude is in the spirit of your decision to study abroad. Please exercise your best judgment in regards to the following areas, especially while you are a guest in the homestays. You are representing not only your country, but your home institutions, and you want to be as respectful as possible.

Cleanliness:

Be sure to clean up after yourself not only while you are a guest in the dorms, but also when you share smaller hotel rooms with others.

Noise:

In order to avoid disturbing your roommates and other guests, please use headphones when listening to music, or keep the volume low, and please keep your voices down.
In terms of hotels, rules will vary depending on the city. This will be discussed more in depth when you arrive on site.

Utilities and use:

Mostly to be aware of while in hotels and dorms with regards to taking long showers, leaving lights on, etc.

Safety:

Travel in groups if going out at night, be aware of your surroundings, exercise your judgment! This will also be covered at length once you arrive on site.

Guests and Alcohol Policies:

While the alcohol policies are more relaxed in Europe, do not abuse the privilege to enjoy a beer or glass of wine with meals, or in social settings.
Disrespectful behavior related to alcohol consumption will end up in dismissal from the housing and you will have to find your own housing at your own expense.
The consumption of drugs, as well as keeping or dealing with them, is absolutely prohibited.

Financial Liability:

If there are damages to the hotels or dorms, you will be responsible, and it will come out of your $500 housing deposit.
This includes damage done to the doors, walls, floors, furniture, kitchen supplies, washing machine, etc.
Housing deposits will be returned 8-12 weeks after the program has ended.

Helpful tips for living with other people:

You will be traveling in a large group with many unfamiliar faces. Your days will be jam packed and tiring. Please try and be as respectful as possible when someone needs some space or down time.
Remember that you are not on a college campus and not in your own home. Respect the property and get out of the “college campus” mentality.

Warning process:

If any of the above rules are broken, you will receive a first verbal warning. This warning will also be written and sent to your sending study abroad program and your home school.
The second infraction of any of the above rules will result in you needing to find a new place to live at your own expense.
Please read through all of our behavior policies noted in the CISabroad Policy Handbook, linked inside of the attachment to your acceptance email.

Welcome to Summer in the British Isles

Welcome to
Summer in the British Isles