Congratulations on accepting your summer experience offer! The catch? Now you have to figure out where to live! Below are some resources and websites to help you find housing during your summer internship in another city.
University Housing:
Many universities offer summer housing options for interns, even if you aren’t a student at that particular school. Check the housing department website of universities in the city where your internship is located. They might have a dedicated program for interns, or you could inquire about vacancies in their dorms.
Pro tip: Some colleges and universities run these offerings through their conference and events offices, so be sure to include those key words in your search parameters if your initial search isn’t getting a lot of results. Generative AI can also be extremely helpful in identifying the colleges and universities in a city or area.
- Boston:
- Boston University offers summer internship housing for undergrads and grads, multiple accommodation options, charges per week.
- Emmanuel College offers summer internship housing in Saint Julie Hall, and charges per week.
- Northeastern University offers summer internship housing in two different accommodation options, charged per week.
- Suffolk University offers summer internship housing in fully furnished apartments and suites.
- Tufts offers summer housing and charges by the night.
- UMass Boston offers summer housing, and they charge a flat rate for the summer. Rates differ for those enrolled at UMass and those taking summer session courses.
- New York:
- The City College of New York offers housing at an apartment-style residence, and charges per night.
- FIT opens its residence halls to students attending summer programs in NYC including internships. Rates are charged per summer term.
- New York University charges by summer session.
- St. John’s University offers affordable, convenient housing in Queens, NY.
- San Francisco/Bay Area:
- California College of Arts (CCA) offers summer intern housing in Blattner Hall.
- Menlo College also offers summer internship housing for students working in Silicon Valley.
- UC Berkley offers summer housing with flexible stay options from a week to up to 10 weeks.
- UCSF works with other local universities that run short stay summer programs for interns or students visiting for conferences.
- Washington, D.C.:
- American University offers housing in several dormitories and charges per week.
- Catholic University of America provides internship/research housing in the D.C. area, and charges by the night.
- George Washington University charges by week.
- Georgetown University offers summer internship housing at their Capitol Campus (downtown DC) and Hilltop Campus (residential community).
Intern Housing Websites:
There are websites that specialize in finding housing for interns. These websites often connect you with apartments, sublets, or rooms in shared houses specifically for interns. Try searching for “[city name] intern housing” to find some options.
- EHS Educational Services (NYC): Sort by borough or price.
- Intern Housing Hub: A free resource to help you find safe, affordable intern housing in popular cities in USA and Canada.
- Intern Housing NYC: Community living with individual rooms. The flat fee includes: utilities, WiFi, furniture, appliances, kitchen supplies, regular cleaning and anything else you would need upon moving into a new place.
- FOUND Study: Provides student housing in dense urban cities such as New York, Oakland, Philadelphia, Providence, and San Francisco.
- Washington Intern Housing Network (WIHN): Fully furnished intern and student housing.
- Washington Intern Student Housing (WISH): Includes a community/mentor model.
Social Media Groups:
Look for Facebook groups for interns in the city or for your specific company’s intern program. These groups can be a great way to connect with other interns who might be looking for roommates or subletting their place.
Apartment Listing Websites:
General apartment listing websites like Apartments.com or Zillow can also be a good resource but be sure to filter your search for short-term rentals or sublets, as most leases are for a full year. Some might also review options available through Airbnb.
Your Internship Company:
Some companies offer housing assistance to their interns. Check with your HR department or internship coordinator to see if they have any resources or recommendations.
Interning Outside the US:
Just like with US-based internships, you should do your research to get an idea of the typical rent in the country of your stay, considering that urban centers will likely have a higher cost than those slightly further out. If you are doing research at an international university, then you likely can work with the institution to find on campus accommodations, but it is also good to explore alternatives. You may also have the option for a homestay where you live with a host family.
- Search student accommodations through Amber Student.
- Also check out Coliving.com that offers affordable rentals worldwide.
- Another site with worldwide flexible housing options is Habyt.com.
Final Pro-Tips on Securing Summer Housing:
Whatever resource or website you use, keep the following tips in mind the ensure you have a safe and enriching summer experience.
- Start your search early: Housing can get competitive, especially in popular cities. The earlier you start looking, the more options you’ll have.
- Consider your budget: Factor in the cost of rent, utilities, transportation, and food when determining how much you can afford to spend on housing.
- Think about location: Decide how close you want to live to your internship and what kind of neighborhood you’d like to live in.
- Be safe: When considering a place to live, be sure to meet the landlord or roommate in person and do your research on the neighborhood.
Disclaimer: Harvard University and the Mignone Center for Career Success do not endorse any of the sites listed above specifically. This is simply a list of resources that can be considered when searching for living accommodations for the summer. Other resources include the Harvard Summer Housing website managed by Harvard College Housing.
