Students on study abroad programs can generally expect to live in a community with fellow students and are encouraged to embrace the housing standards of their host country. Each program page provides additional information on student housing, including information on physical accommodation, what meals are offered, and single-room availability.

Boston University Study Abroad is committed to working with students with disabilities who may need special accommodation to participate successfully in our programs. However, we cannot guarantee that facilities, technology, or support services will be available at each program location to the same extent as on the BU campus. If you are considering studying abroad and have a disability, please email Boston University Study Abroad at abroad@bu.edu as early as possible to discuss site-specific accommodation possibilities. BU Study Abroad works closely with BU’s office of Disability & Access Services, which evaluates requests for disability-related accommodations.

Types of Housing

Housing Policy

Boston University Study Abroad participants are required to live in program-sponsored housing when the program fee includes the cost of housing.

Boston University Study Abroad participants may request an exception to this requirement if they fall into one of the categories below:

Plan to reside with a family member who confirms their housing details and intention to host the student, and whose primary residence meets the following requirements:

  • The family member has resided at the location for at least 12 consecutive months immediately preceding the program start date.
  • The residence is within a 45-minute commute of the host university/BU academic center or site office.

Are married and choosing to live with their spouse.

Have a religious need that they have demonstrated cannot be met in program housing.

First-year students may request an exception to the housing requirement if they can meet the following additional requirements:

  • They must reside locally with a parent. In the case of legally separated or divorced parents, “parent” means either a parent with legal custody or a parent providing more than one-half of a student’s total financial support.

To request an exception as explained above, students must complete the online Housing Exception Form by the following deadlines:

  • Fall term/Academic Year participants: May 15
  • Spring term participants: October 15
  • Summer term participants: March 15

A Study Abroad staff member on site will follow up with each application, including contact with you and the family member or relevant party with whom you propose to live. Timely responses to this follow-up by all parties is important and will be a factor in the consideration of the petition.

Students whose housing exception requests are approved will receive partial credit of the relevant Study Abroad Program Fee.

Students whose housing exception requests are not approved are required to live in program housing in order to participate in the program.