Accommodation is the second most important aspect of the successful impelemtation of international academic mobility, right after getting a job/fellowships/scholarship. The requirements for accommodation may vary according to cultural customs, financial possibilities of academic, family conditions (single or with a partner, or children), relationship to ecology (type of transport), health status (need for lift, etc.) In any case, the apartment should have basic equipment: furniture, basic electrical appliances. In the case of international academic and international PhD. student, it is usually a lease for a certain period of time. It is necessary to take into consideration the possibility that some young academics or students may be interested in living together (larger flats), some prefer single living (smaller flats). It is welcome if the institution can offer accommodation in its own accommodation facility, which usually represents a separate room with basic facilities and accessories and a shared kitchen / study room.
In case the own HEI lodging facilities are limited, it is desirable to reach out to external partners for ensuring extra rooms, flats. The practice idenifies practical activities, where a HEI can be a mediator between the external contractor and the incoming international.
Improved quality of service Improved access to information Improved procedure/efficiency Better communication and cooperation Social integration
Categories | Accommodation Social Integration & Daily Life Family Matters |
---|---|
Mobility stages | Pre-arrival phase Upon arrival |
Delivery schedule | Not defined |
Importance | Important to have |
Scale of organizational change | ![]() |
Target groups | PhD student/Early career researcher R2 - R4 researchers Lecturers (incl. Language Teachers) Internationals spouses/family members |
---|---|
Types of contracts of researchers | Full degree student Visiting scholar Employee in training (interns, research fellows, postdocs) Permanent employee Fixed term employee |
Career stages of researchers | 6-12-months of experience Less than 6 months 1-3-years of experience 3-10 years of experience 10-15 years of experience |
Lengths of stays of researchers | 0-3 months 3-6 months 6-12 months More than 12 months |
While preparing a database/directory of suitable accommodation facilities (besides those available by the HEI directly), it is desirable to establish also personal contacts with those where there is a high probability of cooperation through IRO staff. It is advised that such collaborations are
If necessary, such collaborations might also be formalised by an official agreement.
The cooperation with a Real estate agency can include the following activities:
While collaborating with a specific Housing owner (municipality, regional authorties, commercial or private owners), it might be useful to:
Cost of practice setup | ![]() |
---|---|
Time required for practice setup | ![]() |
Personnel effort required for practice setup | ![]() |
Actors involved in practice setup |
|
Partners involved in practice setup |
|
Indicators for evaluating progress/quality of practice setup |
|
@Real estate agency
@Housing owner (municipality, regional authorties, commercial or private owners)
The provision of this service can contain the following activities:
Cost of practice delivery | ![]() |
---|---|
Time required for practice delivery | ![]() |
Personnel effort required for practice delivery | ![]() |
Actors involved in practice delivery |
|
Partners involved in practice delivery |
|
Indicators for evaluating progress/quality of practice delivery |
|
Diectors of student dormitories, and IRO staff can be mediators in communication between Real estate agents, Housing owners (municipality, regional authorties, commercial or private owners) and international PhDs/academics
This is an example of a strategic collaboration between Linkoping University and Stångåstaden (the largest housing company in Linköping owned by the municipality of Linköping) in seeking and providing housing for students and academics staff. The website provided a detailed guideline on how to apply for a home (procedure, terms, signing a contract, FAQs).
The Linkoping University also publishes proven rental offers including detailed information on its website. All the offers are verified by the university's support staff engaged in assistance to incoming PhD students, academics and researchers.
https://liu.se/en/work-at-liu/international-staff-support
The Housing Office of University and ETH Zurich helps students and employees at the University of Zurich and ETH Zurich to find accommodation. The accommodation can be searched online via the Housing Office website or make use of its personal advisory service. Apart from housing for undergraduate students, the Housing Office offers some studio apartments reserved for international doctoral students.
ETH Zurich also collaborates with Student Housing Cooperative (Studentische Wohngenossenschaft, Woko) which has around 2,000 rooms to let throughout the city of Zurich. These are available exclusively to students and doctoral students at ETH Zurich and the University of Zurich and are all within very easy reach by public transport, most of them being located near one of the university sites.
The dedicated website also contains information on your rights and responsibilities as a tenant which helps prevent any unexpected issues.