Guide on what accommodation to choose for your language course

Comparison table overview of different accommodation options for your language course abroad

Accommodation Option	Language Immersion	Make Friends / Socialize	Privacy	Comfort / Amenities	Typical Age Range	Price
Homestay (Language School)	Medium to High	Medium	Low	Medium (varies)	All ages	Medium to Low
Homestay (Airbnb/Homestay.com)	Medium	Low to Medium	Low to Medium	Medium (varies)	All ages 18+	Medium to Low
Homestay (Teacher)	Very High	Low to Medium	High	High	All ages	Very High
Shared Apartment (Language School)	Low to Medium	High	Medium	Medium	18-35	Medium
Hostel	Low to Medium	High	Low	Low	18-35	Low
Student Residence	Medium to High	High	Medium	Medium to High	18-35	Medium to High
Private Apartment	Low	Low	High	Medium to High	30 and older	Medium to High
Hotel	Low	Low	High	High	30 and older	High

Pros / Cons of booking accommodation yourself vs. booking accommodation with the language school

Pros

You have the freedom to choose exactly where you want to stay, whether it’s closer to certain attractions or in a particular neighbourhood that suits your preferences and budget.
By searching for accommodation independently, you may find cheaper options or special deals that the school might not offer.
You can also explore a variety of accommodation types that are not necessarily available through the school.

Cons

Searching for and comparing accommodation options can be a lengthy process, especially when you have to check availability, prices, and reviews.
Without the school’s trusted network, there’s a chance that the accommodation may not meet your expectations, and issues such as cleanliness, safety, or location might not be immediately clear.
If any problems arise with your accommodation, you won’t have the school or LCN to mediate or assist you.

Accommodation options: Which is best for you - Pros/Cons

1) Homestay offered by language school

Language Immersion: Medium to High

Make Friends/Socialize: Medium

Privacy: Low

Comfort/Amenities: Medium (varies)

Typical Age Range: All ages

Price: Medium to Low

Ideal for: Anyone seeking maximum language immersion, and also younger students who will be catered for with breakfast and dinner if desired. Suitable for stays of any length, but particularly beneficial for shorter stays of up to 4 weeks, where building a strong local connection quickly is desired.

Pros

Immersive cultural experience.
Opportunities to practice the language in a natural setting.
Frequently offer meal options if desired (increases opportunity for immersion).
Support from the language school if issues arise.
Generally safe and reliable.
Local hosts offer insider tips and hidden gems beyond guidebooks.
Price is generally cheaper than shared flats, residences or hotels.
Convenient and saves time of extensive accommodation search.

Cons

Less independence and privacy.
Uncertainty: Location, details of accommodation and host will not be known and will generally be assigned only after booking (indicate in our booking form any preferences you have).
Dietary restrictions might be challenging to accommodate (communicate these clearly beforehand).
Impossible to predict compatibility with the family beforehand.

Best place to book: LanguageCourse.net (of course)

2) Homestay via Homestay.com

Language Immersion: Medium

Make Friends/Socialize: Medium to Low (depends on the host)

Privacy: Low to Medium

Comfort/Amenities: Medium

Typical Age Range: All ages 18+

Price: Medium to Low

Ideal for: Independent travellers and budget-conscious students who are comfortable with self-reliance. Best suited for those who prioritize flexibility and have some experience travelling. Can work for various stay durations, but longer stays might be more comfortable if a good host connection is established.

Pros

Wider range of options and locations. You can choose an accommodation close to the school.
Details of accommodation including pictures, amenities, kitchen access and location.
Offering of different price/comfort levels of accommodation based on your budget.
Information about the host.
Ability to read reviews from previous guests.
Direct communication with the host before booking to clarify any doubts and to make custom arrangements.

Cons

Less support if problems arise.
Greater responsibility for communication and problem-solving.
Tend to have fewer interactions with the host and therefore less cultural and language immersion as a language school homestay.
Generally, do not provide meal options, which tend to be great opportunities to interact with hosts.

Best place to book: Homestay.com

3) Homestay - Study and Live at Teachers House

Language Immersion: Very High

Make Friends/Socialize: Medium to Low (depends on the host)

Privacy: High

Comfort/Amenities: High

Typical Age Range: All ages

Price: Very High

Ideal for: Independent travellers without budget limitations, students who are comfortable with self-reliance. Best suited for those who look for high-impact experience and tailored learning. The intensity of the package allows one to achieve the same goals in less time.

Pros

Access first-hand to a certified teacher not just for the classes, but for the daily routines.
Possibility to tailor the learning experience to the level and speed of learning of the student.
Top levels of comfort and privacy.
Generally, a high level of interaction with the host. Hosts tend to be more motivated in helping students improve their language, compared to the average homestay host.
Many hosts are primarily motivated by enjoying teaching and hosting foreign students, rather than economic necessity.
Hosts tend to be teachers, who are highly educated and with extensive experience in private teaching.
Accommodation tends to be of higher quality than an average homestay.

Cons

Substantially higher price than traditional homestay accommodation.
No interaction with other students.
Location may be at quieter in more residential areas, outside the very center of the city.

Best place to book: LanguageCourse.net (of course)

4) Shared apartment offered by language school

Language Immersion: Medium to Low (you mostly stay with other language students speaking English)

Make Friends/Socialize: High

Privacy: Medium

Comfort/Amenities: Medium

Typical Age Range: 18-35

Price: Medium

Ideal for: Independent students seeking a balance between social interaction and privacy. Works well for students on a medium budget and those staying for a few months to a year, as it allows time to build roommate relationships.

Pros

More independence and privacy than a homestay.
Opportunity to meet and interact with other students.
Shared costs for groceries and utilities.
Often located closer to the city center and language school.
School support in case assistance is needed.

Cons

Less language immersion than a homestay or student residence.
Potential for conflicts with roommates (e.g. cleaning).
Responsibility for cleaning and cooking.
While schools try to accommodate students of a similar age range in flats, this can not be guaranteed in advance.

Best place to book: LanguageCourse.net (of course)

5) Hostel

Language Immersion: Low to Medium (depends on effort)

Make Friends/Socialize: High

Privacy: Low

Comfort/Amenities: Low

Typical Age Range: 18-35

Price: Low

Ideal for: Budget travellers and backpackers who prioritize social interaction and a lively atmosphere. Best for short-term stays of up to a month due to the limited privacy and comfort.

Pros

Very budget-friendly.
Social atmosphere, easy to meet other travellers.
Often centrally located.
Flexible booking options.

Cons

Limited privacy.
Can be noisy and disruptive.
Less language immersion (unless you make an effort).
Security can be a concern in some hostels.

Best place to book: Hostelworld.com, Booking.com

6) Student Residence

Language Immersion: Medium to High (if mingling with local students)

Make Friends/Socialize: High

Privacy: Medium

Comfort/Amenities: Medium to High

Typical Age Range: 18-35

Price: Medium to High

Ideal for: Students who want a social environment with some structure, and those who value amenities and proximity to the school. Suitable for stays of a few months to a year, aligning with typical academic terms.

Pros

More independence and privacy than in a homestay. More amenities than shared apartments.
Opportunity to meet a large number of other students. Local students and students from all over the world. Easy to expand your circle beyond students from your school.
Frequently offer attractive common facilities.
May offer organized social events and activities.
The exact location and distance to the school are known before booking.
Details about the room, amenities, and facilities of the residence. Pictures are provided.

Cons

Can be more expensive than a shared apartment.
Less flexibility in terms of cooking and cleaning.
Many require a minimum rental of 6-12 months, coinciding with the dates of university terms.
May have specific rules and regulations.
Could be less immersive if you stick to students speaking your language.
Tend to have higher noise levels.

Best place to book:

Uniplaces.com The only site we found that allows filtering by “student residence” and exact dates of stay. Unfortunately, they do not have many reviews, so you need to research reviews on other sites.

Student.com Filter by “short stay” and “student only”. They have many reviews, but as incomprehensible as it is, they don't show a map of the residences in the city search page. You need to search for a nearby university and then sort by distance to the university to get an idea of the distance.

LanguageCourse.net For residences that are operated/offered by language schools.

7) Private Apartment

Language Immersion: Low

Make Friends/Socialize: Low

Privacy: High

Comfort/Amenities: Medium to High

Typical Age Range: 30 and older

Price: Medium to High

Ideal for:

Independent travellers, couples, or small groups seeking maximum privacy and self-sufficiency. Suitable for longer stays (several months to a year) as it offers a sense of home.

Appealing to those who value their own space and are comfortable managing all aspects of their accommodation.

Pros

Maximum privacy and independence.
Flexibility to cook your own meals.
Can be more cost-effective for longer stays (compared to hotels).
Opportunity to live like a local.
Best option for families and groups of more than 2 people travelling together.

Cons

Responsible for all aspects of the apartment (cleaning, utilities, maintenance).
Less social interaction (requires an active effort to connect with others).
Can be challenging to find suitable apartments, especially for shorter stays.
May require a deposit and lease agreement.

Best place to book: Airbnb.com, Booking.com

8) Hotel

Language Immersion: Low

Make Friends/Socialize: Low

Privacy: High

Comfort/Amenities: High

Typical Age Range: 30 and older

Price: High

Ideal for: Students on short stays, those who prioritize comfort and privacy, and those with a higher budget. Also suitable for business travellers or those who prefer a more independent and less immersive experience.

Pros