EAIE FORUM MEMBER MAGAZINE
INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ACCOMMODATION
SPRING 2025 EDITION | EDITOR'S PICK
International student accommodation (Editor's pick)
HOW TO COUNTER THE STUDENT HOUSING CRISIS IN EUROPE
IN CONVERSATION WITH
JULIA ORAVEC
GOTHENBURG AWAITS
SPRING FORUM 2025
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ARTICLE
“The aim isn’t just to provide a roof over students’ heads; it’s to ensure every student feels supported and safe during their time abroad.”
“[Recent policy shifts] may potentially change the landscape of the most popular global study destinations and bring a bigger focus on Europe but also on intra-regional mobility.”
“Effective support isn’t about one individual solving students’ problems; it is about creating safe, non-judgemental spaces that foster dialogue and connection.”
“In the face of headlines announcing acts of hatred and bigotry around the world, homestay programmes offer hope.”
Coordinator of the Accommodation Department, Portuguese ERASMUS+ National Agency Apart from traveling, Andreia’s favourite hobby is reading. She has an eclectic collection of books she’s been buying since her teenage years, from poetry to comics, and can’t contemplate life without a book nearby.
Vice-President, European Students’ Union Arno has served two years on the ESU Executive Committee, working on areas ranging from citizenship education to internationalisation and mobility. He is currently studying administrative sciences.
Research Manager, The Class Foundation Arunima’s focus isn't solely on the bricks and mortar of the student housing that enables internationalisation, but also on sustainable living practices and fostering environments that nurture student well-being.
Director, Erasmus+ Education and Training National Agency In her work and elsewhere, Cristina thrives on creative challenges. She loves cooking for family and friends, and couldn’t live without music.
Director, Therapeutic ConsultationsAs a former Erasmus student, Géraldine is passionate about helping institutions meet students’ mental health and well-being needs. She swims three kilometres a week, and loves all cats.
Programme Administrator, Campus Initiative for International Talents, DAAD Helena has worked with international students and refugees since completing her Master’s degree in political science. She joined the DAAD in June 2024. Outside of work, she enjoys reading and hiking.
Board Chair, Canada Homestay Network Jennifer comes by her homestay expertise honestly: her mother Robin started the Canada Homestay Network in 1995. She’s not only travelled far and wide but also has a pilot’s license and used to practice as a registered midwife.
Senior Desk Officer, DAAD Jessica grew up on a farm in the US state of Wisconsin and has since lived, worked and studied in seven countries. She is a proud alumna of the Erasmus Mundus MARIHE programme and the first PhD in her family.
Head of Unit, Regional Office Montpellier, Campus France Johanna has worked in the international student mobility sector for almost 20 years, in which time it has become not just a job but a real commitment that has taken her all over the world.
Finance Management Unit Coordinator, Erasmus Mundus Association Jun is an educator and expert on global education initiatives, currently holding multiple roles in academia and policymaking. He has conducted European Commission-funded research in Austria, Finland, Germany and China.
Senior Policy Advisor, Nuffic Kumi helps international students overcome mobility challenges in the Netherlands and volunteers supporting financially struggling youth.
Executive Committee Member, European Students’ Union At the ESU, Lisa works on the social dimension of higher education and on the European Education Area. She is also a student of political sciences, and in her free time enjoys reading and sightseeing.
President, Erasmus Student Network A former Erasmus student herself, Rita now supports international mobility as President of the ESN. She studied political science and public policy and loves to read books, travel and attend music festivals.
Global Partnerships Director, Lodgerin Saul has studied in Mexico, Canada, the USA and Spain, and has taught in Mexico, the Netherlands and Spain. He loves spending time with his family and visiting food markets in every city he travels to.
Published by European Association for International EducationPO Box 11189, 1001 GD Amsterdam, the NetherlandsE-mail: info@eaie.org, publications@eaie.orgwww.eaie.org
Editor: Eva JanebováPublications Committee: Eva Janebová (Chair), Ragnhild Solvi Berg, Queenie Lam, Arnim Heinemann
Director, Knowledge Development and Research: Laura E. RumbleyHead of Marketing and Communications: Léa BasinKnowledge Development Coordinator: Cecilia AlbèDesigners: Nhu Nguyen, Maeghan Dunn
Copyright © 2025 by the EAIE All rights reserved. Extracts from Forum may be reproduced with permission of the EAIE. Unless stated otherwise, opinions expressed by contributors do not necessarily reflect the position of the EAIE.ISSN 1389-0808
This issue examines housing as a critical prerequisite for effective study abroad experiences and the overall well-being of students. It highlights the important link between accommodation experiences and students’ integration into host societies, including their sense of belonging, well-being, and academic success. It also explores the challenges posed by housing shortages and rising accommodation costs in certain parts of Europe – issues that have significant implications not only for international and domestic students, but also for local communities.
It opens with a powerful contribution from Erasmus Student Network president, Rita Dias, who – alongside co-authors Lisa Schivalocchi and Arno Schrooyen – shares a critical student perspective on the economic hardships, scams, and other challenges students face when searching for housing. The article also showcases grassroots initiatives from the European Students’ Union, such as housing swaps between current and future mobility students, local guides to help students navigate the rental market, and partnerships with accommodation providers. Most importantly, the piece calls on national agencies, university support services, EU structural funds, and national housing plans to take joint responsibility for addressing the housing crisis – ensuring that international experiences remain accessible and are not reserved for a privileged few.
While this issue provides space to discuss housing challenges, and rising accommodation costs in Europe, it is important to acknowledge that housing concerns are not uniform across the continent. In some countries acute shortages and high costs tend to be concentrated in specific cities (see the article by Jun Kajee) while other areas experience fewer difficulties. In some cities, rental prices have been driven up by factors such as the proliferation of short-term rentals for tourists, golden visa programs, and higher interest rates set by the European Central Bank – intended to curb inflation but inadvertently impacting real estate markets across Europe. The issue has become so pressing that Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, recently appointed a housing czar to coordinate the search for solutions. However, it would be a mistake to view this crisis as affecting all of Europe or to assume that the presence of international students is automatically driving rental prices higher. On the contrary, research from Australia (Times Higher Education, 2025) suggests that international students can have a stabilizing effect on housing markets.
National insights in this issue from the Netherlands and France address these ongoing challenges and describe innovative solutions. Particularly inspiring examples come from Portugal or Germany, where national agencies such as Junges Wohnen and organizations like SCHUFA, together with universities, have joined forces across sectors to tackle the issue collaboratively.
Creating physical environments that foster social connections and encourage students to socialize and support their sense of belonging is challenging. For example, France’s Label Habitat Etudiant identifies public and private residences committed to providing quality housing and fostering student social engagement. Technology and dedicated apps are also helping students more easily navigate housing options and find reliable quality accommodations.
Géraldine Dufour takes it a step further by highlighting the role of trained housing counsellors in supporting the mental health of international students. Finally, Jennifer Wilson from Canada revisits the value of traditional homestays, offering practical tips to ensure safe and successful experiences for both students and host families.
This issue is a reminder of housing being integral to the international staff and student mobility experience, and accommodation can be a deciding factor in successfully integrating into a host country and retention of students. I would like to thank all the authors . I would like to extend my thanks to each of the authors who contributed their valuable insights as well as Ragnhild Solvi Berg of the EAIE Publications Committee, who joined me in reviewing and selecting submissions. The inspirations shared in this issue of Forum aim to enhance the quality of the study experience – no matter the destination.
Eva Janebová, Editor
publications@eaie.org
