Sharing an apartment with international students can be an exciting and rewarding experience. Whether you are in Paris, Lyon or any other city in France, sharing an apartment with roommates from other countries is an opportunity to discover new cultures, learn new languages and open your mind. But how do you organize yourself and respect cultural differences? Discover the advantages and challenges of living in a shared apartment with foreign students.
The benefits of sharing a house with international students
There are many advantages to sharing a flat with foreign students. Firstly, it is an excellent opportunity to learn new languages. By sharing your daily life with other tenants who speak English, Spanish, German or any other language, you can quickly improve your language skills and become familiar with different cultures in a natural and immersive way. You are immersed in a multilingual environment that allows you to practice your desired language regularly. Daily conversations help you improve your fluency, pronunciation and understanding of sometimes native expressions, while building your confidence to express yourself in the foreign language. In addition, the cultural exchange and mutual support that comes from living together promotes an enriching and stimulating learning dynamic. You will also discover new ways of life and new culinary traditions.
Finally, living with foreign students allows you to expand your network. You will meet people from different countries, which can be very useful for your studies and your future professional life. In addition, sharing a flat is an economical way to find student housing, especially in cities like Paris where renting rooms or apartments can be very expensive. Real friendships can even be made. If this happens, we’ll help you find the perfect gift for your roommate, whether it’s for their birthday or Christmas.
The challenges of sharing an accommodation with international students
It can also present some challenges that, if not handled properly, could lead to conflict or an unpleasant experience. Here are the main challenges you may face and some tips on how to overcome them:
- Cultural differences
Living with students from different countries and cultures, you may encounter differences in habits, customs and values. It is important to respect and understand these differences to avoid misunderstandings or tensions. If you find yourself in this situation, talk to your roommates about their customs and traditions to better understand and appreciate them. Be tolerant and open-minded about differences. You can also organize cultural nights to cultivate and celebrate each other’s traditions.
- Language Barrier
Language barriers can make communication difficult and create frustration within the roommate. Be patient and understanding when your roommates have difficulty expressing themselves in French or another language. It is good to encourage language exchange so that everyone can improve and communicate better. There are many translation apps available to help with communication, so use them when necessary.
- Lifestyle Differences
Lifestyle habits, schedules and food preferences can vary greatly between foreign roommates. Discuss your expectations together and establish common rules for sharing space and living together harmoniously. Be sure to respect each other’s food preferences and, if possible, organize joint meals to discover new flavors. Adapt to your roommates’ schedules and communicate your needs clearly to avoid disruptions. The adaptation is obviously mutual.
It’s important to consider these challenges and work together to overcome them, so check out all of our tips on how to keep a roommate from going bad. By applying these tips and being open-minded, you can create a pleasant and harmonious atmosphere in your roommate with international students.
Rules to follow when sharing with foreign students
Despite its advantages, sharing a flat with international students can also present challenges. Cultural differences and language barriers can sometimes lead to misunderstandings or conflicts. It is important to adopt an attitude of openness and respect to overcome these obstacles. Different lifestyles and habits can also be a challenge in a shared accommodation. It is essential to take the time to get to know your roommates and learn to respect their needs and preferences.
To ensure that your roommate relationship with international students goes smoothly, it is important to follow certain rules:
- Communication
Communicate clearly and regularly with your roommates about matters that concern community life (housework, payment of utilities, etc.).
- Respect for privacy
Everyone needs their own personal space. Don’t be intrusive, and respect everyone’s privacy. Expect them to do the same for you.
- Sharing household chores
Set up a schedule together to divide household chores equally. This will avoid tension and ensure a clean and pleasant environment for everyone.
- Payment of expenses
If these are not already divided between you, be clear about the distribution of charges (rent, electricity, internet, etc.) from the beginning of the roommate relationship to avoid misunderstandings.
- Flexibility
Learn to be flexible and adapt to the different cultures and lifestyles of your roommates. Mutual understanding and openness are the key to a successful roommate.
But these “rules” are not the only ones to respect. Indeed, sharing a flat with foreign students is subject to certain legal rules that it is important to know and respect:
- Lease contract
Each roommate must sign a lease agreement with the owner of the apartment. It is possible to have an individual lease or a common lease for all.
- Home insurance
All residents of the apartment must take out home insurance to protect themselves in case of a disaster (fire, water damage, theft, etc.).
- Residence permit
Foreign students must be in possession of a valid residence permit for the duration of their studies in France. It is important that the landlord verifies that your foreign roommates are in order to avoid legal problems.
- Declaration of domicile
Foreign students must declare their domicile in France to the prefecture or city hall of their place of residence.
In conclusion, living with international students offers many benefits, such as improving language skills, discovering new cultures, and expanding your social network. However, it can also present challenges, such as cultural differences, language barriers, and different lifestyles. To succeed in this enriching experience, it is important to follow some basic rules such as communication, respect for privacy, sharing of household chores and payment of expenses.
An interesting solution to take full advantage of the benefits of sharing with foreign students without the inconvenience is coliving. By choosing coliving, you give yourself the opportunity to live a unique moment and create memorable memories with your foreign roommates. This innovative way of living combines the positive aspects of traditional sharing with services and living spaces specially designed to promote exchange, mutual aid and conviviality.
By calling on Colivys, you should know that we will accompany you from the moment you book your room until the moment you leave the accommodation. You will have no administrative steps to take because we take care of them. All the rental charges, but also internet and home insurance, are included and already divided between each tenant! You won’t have to worry about finding roommates, checking that their papers are in order, or dealing with the legal aspects of a roommate. That’s our job. Finally, coliving with Colivys allows you to benefit from an individual rental contract. The other tenants are not included in it, so you can live as you wish. This means less stress and conflict, and a more pleasant life in France.
