SETTING UP A HOME AWAY FROM HOME

Welcome, welcome to your new home! You must feel like you’re in the Go box in Monopoly, impatiently waiting for your turn. Can’t wait to leave the room and begin to conquer the world, huh? Or, are you overwhelmed with your new surroundings and the many things you have to do? Or is it both?

Don’t worry. We will try to give you as many reminders as we can on apartment hunting, living with roommates, getting to know your neighborhood, and even adjusting to cold weather! We hope these tips will help you as you make your new living quarters home.

When You Arrive…

1. Call home. Let your loved ones know that you arrived safe and sound.

2. If you are staying with a friend or a relative, make sure you have a nice token pasalubong for him/her. It requires a lot of effort for people abroad to entertain guests.

3. Follow-up on housing arrangements. If you applied for campus housing, call the office and confirm your reservation. Ask about the date and time when you can move in.

If you are in temporary housing and still need to look for a place to live, head for your school’s housing office. Most universities and colleges have a list of landlords and real-estate agents in the vicinity of the school.

4. Make an appointment to see your student advisor for undergrads. Graduate students should try to meet up with a representative from your academic department. This will be a good opportunity for you to introduce yourself to the person who’ll be responsible for your future academic growth, as well as meet some of your future professors. Take advantage of this time to ask advice about which classes to sign up for and even inquire about jobs within the university. (This is how Tricia happened upon the Graduate Assistant job.)

5. Make an appointment and see a representative from your school’s office for international students. With visa policies constantly changing, it is good to have a knowledgeable contact. Ask about activities scheduled for international students. Many schools have orientation seminars that are designed to help you get to know your university as well as your host city.

6. Visit the school’s health center. Inquire about which services are covered by your school’s/ host country’s health insurance and which ones are not. It is also good to know where the health center’s location in case of an emergency.

7. Open a bank account. Having a local bank account is definitely more convenient than trying to access your account in Manila. It’ll be easier to pay your bills and deposit money. The whole process might take several visits, since most banks require several forms of ID (passport, student ID, mail with local address). Students studying in the UK often have to wait six months before they can open a bank account. Check with your international student office if there are banks that waive this rule. Also, check our “Money Matters” section for more information.

8. If you’ve already moved into your apartment, buy food. You can’t run errands on an empty stomach.

9. Orient yourself with the following amenities, and services within your neighborhood: laundromat, bus/train stops, subway stations, post office, school supplies store, places of worship, the Philippine Embassy.

It is good to know where the Philippine Embassy is located should you need to renew your passport or want certain official documents. You can also ask the embassy for a list of activities that they may host which you might wish to attend.

Tip: The counterpart of school supplies stores in Australia and the UK is a news agency. In the US, it's a stationery store. You can also check out drugstores or huge office supplies stores like Staples and Office Depot in the U.S.

10. Check if people can contact you by phone. Arrange for a landline or just use a cell phone if you want. If you choose to have a landline and have moved to your dorm room, look around and see if there is literature about receiving and making phone calls. If there is none, ask your Resident Adviser. If you are in your new apartment, purchase a phone, hook it up and check if your phone line has been switched on. Change the name of the account to your name. Having a bill with your name and address printed on it will come in handy when you open a bank account.

11. Once you’ve moved into your apartment or dorm room, purchase household necessities. You might need to buy bed sheets, towels, bathroom accessories, and desk supplies. Check our City Guides for reasonably priced stores in your host city.

12. Call friends and relatives who live in your host city and tell them that you have moved. Arrange to get together for coffee or brunch. It really helps to know people already living in your host city. They are excellent sources for information. Tricia received a rice cooker, pots, pans and several sweaters from aunts who lived nearby, while Titchie’s cousin, who grew up in the US, helped Titchie pick out the all important winter coat and backpack.

13. Ask your school’s student services office about free Internet services. Most schools have computers available for all students in their libraries or student centers. Some dorm rooms are Internet ready. They have an Ethernet hook up or wireless connections.

14. Consider applying for a local driver’s license. If you’re in the US, apply for a state ID or local driver’s license, both of which will come in handy when you are asked for identification in bars, clubs, airports, office buildings.

Wise Words: Once you are in your new home, stop coverting to pesos. It's depressing. Just stay within budget. You'll get the hand of budgeting after a month. - Jikee Santillan, University of Reading, Berkshire

Dorm Room Essentials

1. Bath Items: soap, shampoo, lotion, toilet paper, toothpaste, toothbrush, toiletries container, towels

2. Bed Items: bed sheets, pillow case, pillows, comforter

3. Laundry Items: laundry bag/basket, laundry detergent, fabric softener, change for washer and dryer

4. Closet Items: hangers, lining for your drawers

5. Cleaning Stuff: paper towels or basahan, cleaning solution. If your room is carpeted, most US dorm buildings have vacuum cleaners that you can borrow.

6. Desk Supplies: paper, pens, scissors, stapler, glue, tape, dictionary, lamps, phone

7. Soul Stuff: picture frames, CD player, CDs

8. Personal Space Essentials (if sharing a room): divider, headphones, do not disturb sign

Types of Housing

1. Renting a room/floor from a family home.

2. Leasing an apartment

a) Studio – Living area, bedroom, are all in one room. Sometimes the kitchen is in the same room, in other cases it may be in a separate area.
b) One Bedroom – Living area, kitchen, and one bedroom
c) Two Bedrooms – Living area, kitchen and two bedrooms
d) Three Bedrooms – Living area, kitchen and three bedrooms. In the UK, this is the same as renting a flat, a floor of an apartment that you can share with several people

Some apartments come furnished. This might be the option to consider if you are only planning to stay for a short time. This way you won’t have to worry about buying, and then selling, or even worry about shipping furniture back home when you are done with school.

3. Leasing a House – Also called house sharing in the UK

4. Subletting an apartment – You rent from someone who is renting the apartment. This may be done legally or under the table. Some landlords do not allow their renters to do this. Some don’t mind. If you plan on staying for a short time you can probably risk it. If you think you are going to stay for more than a year, we advise that you get an apartment of your own.

Wise Words: In Manchester, the normal arrangements for students would be to share a flat with others. Normally, they would have their own bedrooms, sometimes their own showers and toilets. But they would share a common kitchen. Flat sharing can be between 3 to 8 people. –Chips Guevara, Manchester Business School, Manchester

Wise Words: In Tokyo, the older the apartment, the cheaper it is...If you don't really mind the earthquakes, it's a good idea to look for slightly older ones that have recently been remodeled. (Personally, I think if an earthquake occurs, it doesn't matter if you live in an apartment or mansion (buildings made of concrete), though some people believe mansions are safer.) –Celeste Gacad, Hitotsubashi University, Tokyo

Useful Apartment Hunting Terms

English (Australia, UK, US)
a/c - air conditioned
alcove - area adjacent to the living room that my be used as sleeping quarters, a separate sitting area, home office or dining room
apt - apartment
bedsit -UK term, an apartment in which the bedroom is also the living room; same as a studio
bkr; broker - agent appointed by the landlord to show apartments to prospective tenants and to negotiate leases
brnstn; brownstone - a 3 t0 4 story building first occupied by a single family and then later converted to a building for multiple residents. Some owners rent out a floor, some rent out a room within a floor.
c'space - Australian term, carspace
co-op - an apartment building whose apartments are owned rather than rented by the building's tenants
conv trans - convenient to transportation
convertible or Flex - the alcove located off of the living room area is large enough to be used as an additional bedroom
cozy - very small
credit report – statement created by financial companies that document whether you paid your bills on time
d/w - Dishwasher
dr - dining room
drmn; dm - Doorman Building, usually 20 stories high.
efficiency; eff - a studio apartment
eik - eat-in kitchen
ensuite - UK term, the bedroom has it's own little bathroom.
f/carpeted - fully carpeted
f/furnished - fully furnished
f/P; fplc; fpl- fireplace
flat - UK term for apartment
flr-thru - an apartment that occupies an entire floor of a brownstone building
guarantor - someone who can pay for rent should you default. Landlords usually require a guarantor's letter from students who have no source of income. They prefer a guarantor who lives within your host country.
grnd. flr. - ground floor
hostels - rooms for single and married students, normally owned by charitable organizations
house share - UK term, renting a house with a group of people. You will have your own bedroom in a house shared with two or three other residents. You generally share a kitchen, bathroom and living room.
high rise - a building with more than 10 floors and has an elevator
incin - incinerator; for burning trash
junior or junior one bedroom - small bedroom, fits a bed and a night table
let - UK term, rent
lg - large
lndry - laundry
loft - room or two level room with exposed beams, large windows, and high ceilings
LUG - Australian term, lock up garage
lvrm; lrm - living room
mo - monthly
mod appl - modern appliances
nwly ren - newly renovated
pk vu - park view
prem - premises
pol flrs - polished floors
postwar building -structure built after WWII a bit cheaper than prewar buildings
prewar building - built before WWII, has high ceilings, hardwood floors, arched doorways, and intricate molding
pvt bath - private bathroom
refs req'd - references required
riv vu - river view
reno - renovated
rent stabilized - US term, an apartment that has lower than usual rent due to regulations of the state where it is located
RR flat - railroad flat; apartment that requires passing through one room to get to the next
sec; security deposit - advanced fee or deposit. This is to cover any damages to the apartment found by the landlord when you leave. The security deposit should be returned to you when you leave the apartment.
sep kit - separate kitchen
so ex - southern exposure; the apartment faces south, receiving good sunlight
studio - one-room apartment with a separate bathroom. The kitchen may either be an area of the room or in a separate room
studio flat - same as bedsit and studio
sty - story or floor
sublet - a procedure by which the legal tenant of a apartment rents this space to someone else
super - short for superintendent, responsible for building maintenance. You can call the super should you have problems with the cleanliness of the apartment, electricity, plumbing, etc.
tenement - building with many apartments, most of which open out onto an air shaft
th; twnhse - townhouse
TIK - tub in kitchen; an apartment in which the bathtub is located in the kitchen, usually found in older, inexpensive buildings
transport - transportation
util - utilities (gas and electricity)
vic - in the vicinity of
walk up - describes a building up to five-stories high without the convenience of an elevator
w/d - washer/dryer
WIC - walk-in closet
xlnt - excellent

French
asc. (ascenseur) – elevator
amén (aménagé) – converted or equipped
bns. (bains) – bathrooms
carac. (caractère) – charming, interesting
cft. (confort) – "comfort" (i.e. private bath, carpeted rooms, equipped kitchen)
chffge, chauf, ch. (chauffage) – heating
chgs. (charges) – monthly costs in addition to rent
chmb, chb, ch – room (often bedroom; i.e. ‘3P 2ch’ means ‘3 rooms, 2 bedrooms.’)
com. – agent's commission
coq. (coquette) – cute
cuis. (cuisine) – kitchen
dche. (douche) – shower
éq, étg (i.e.5è) – floor (i.e. 5th)
env. – about, roughly
et. el. (étage élevé) – upper floor
ds (dans) – in
dig., digi. (digicode) – entrance codes to get into building
except. (exceptional) – special
escal. (escalier) – staircase
équip (équipée) – indicates anything from all major appliances to existing ‘hookups’
gde (grande) – large
gge (garage) – parking
hab de suite (habitable) – move in immediately
H.S.P. (hauteur sous plafond) – ceiling height, e.g. 3m
imm. (immeuble) – building; imm. mod. (modern) – modern building; imm. nf. (neuf) – new building; imm. anc. (ancien) – old/historic building
interméd. (intermédiaire) – agent
kit – kitchenette (as opposed to full kitchen or cuisine)
loyer CC (charges compris) – rent amount already includes additional charges
m2 (mètre carré) – square meter
moq. (moquette) – wall-to-wall carpeting
nbx (nombreux) – many
p., pce (pièce) – rooms, not including bathroom
pce ppale (pièce principale) – main room
PdT (Pierre de Taille) – freestone or cut-stone building
plac. (placards) – cupboards or closets
poss. (possibilité)– possibility of
pt, pte (petite) – small
pr. cpl. (préférablement couple) – couple preferred
r. (rue) – street
rav. (ravalé) – cleaned or redone (usu. refers to façade)
rav. (ravissant) – attractive
rdc (rez-de-chausée) – ground floor
ref. nf. (refait neuf) – newly remodelled
s/ (sur) – on
sans vis-à-vis – unobstructed, nothing immediately opposite
sdb (salle de bain) – bathroom
sde (salle d’eau) – shower room
slle. (salle) – large or formal room
s. soul (sous sol) – basement, cellar
ss. (sans) - without
stdg. (standing) (gd. stdg., tr. gd. stdg, de standing) – luxury flat, good address
TBE (trés bon état) – in good condition (var: en BE)
tcc (toutes charges comprises) – with all supplementary monthly charges included
w.c. (water closet) – toilet (in room separate from bath and sink)
Source: ExpatBoards.com.

German
3 Zi.-Whg - three-room apartment
3 ZKDB - three rooms plus kitchen, hallway, bath
Cold Rent - rent fee without utilities
K - security deposit.
Kalt - heating costs are not included
NR - non-smoker
NMM - additional costs for gas, heating, electricity, garbage and water will be added on
Warm rent - rent fee plus heating, cold water and garbage disposal
WG - shared living arrangement
ZH - central heating
zzgl. NK - there are additional costs for heating, gas, and other services.
Source: Hi Potentials, International careers made in Germany. View full list on www.campus-germany.de/

Japanese
1K - similar to a studio in the US
1-DK - one-room plus dining-kitchen
fudosanya – real estate agent
hoshounin - guarantor who will cover the rent in case you default
jyo - tatami mats, a room in Japan is measured in jyos (about 6’ x 3’). A typical studio is six to seven jyos.
kopos - two or three floors; usually made with wood and reinforced with steel; the cheapest to rent but can be cold during winter
mansions - apartments made of concrete and are usually more expensive
reikin - key money, gift; this usually goes to the landlord and you don't see the money again
shikikin - security deposit, usually two months worth of your monthly rent ; this may or may not be returned to you depending upon the state of the apartment when you leave

Wise Words: To rent an apartment in Japan, you usually have to pay one to two months of your monthly rent for reikin (key money), another two months of shikikin (deposit, which may or may not come back), plus one month which goes to the agent, and another month’s advance deposit for rent. Unfortunately schools do not subsidize for the amount even if you are a scholar. For example, in the mid-90's, I shared an apartment with an Australian friend and we paid 45,000 yen each per month, not including utilities. Meanwhile, the dorm just cost 20,000 yen including utilities, and you didn’t have to pay an advance of four to six times your monthly rent! –Celeste Gacad, Hitotsubashi University, Tokyo

Tips for Apartment Hunting

1. Determine non-negotiables. What kind of area do you want to live in? Would you like a quiet, residential neighborhood, or do you want to be in the midst of the hustle and bustle of city life? How much do you want to spend and what is the maximum distance you would want to be away from your school? Brick walls? Lots of sunlight? Laundry facilities in the building? Make a list of items and prioritize. Although you might not find an apartment with all of your requirements, the list can help narrow down your choices and find the most ideal one for you.

2. Budget Constraints? If you want a lot of space but don’t want to spend a lot of money, the general rule about apartment rent is that the closer you are to the city, the more expensive the rent. If you are studying in New York City, and want a bigger place to live, try the other boroughs: Brooklyn, The Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island. If you are studying in Boston, try Allston and Brookline.

3. Be persistent. If the person advertising the apartment does not call back, call again. Some of them are too busy to return calls so you just have to pester them when it comes to apartment hunting.

4. Be a scout: Be prepared. Before you go apartment hunting, have all the necessary documentation ready. Landlords or real-estate agents usually require the following items: credit report, guarantor’s letter, job/school reference letter, pay stubs, resume. Always dress neatly to create a good first impression.

5. Trust your instincts. If the building you are looking into has suspicious looking residents, or if the landlord appears sneaky, look elsewhere. You don’t want to be in a situation that you know you could’ve avoided.

6. Ask questions. If you are going to rent a room in someone’s house, ask the owner his/ her rules about cleaning , noise, inviting guests. If you are renting an apartment, have a list of questions ready (e.g. Are utilities included in the fee?, etc prepare a punch list of questions which are relevant to your lifestyle) and ask the realtor about them.

7. Mind your neighbors. You might feel more secure living close to a hospital or to a fire station but remember that you will be hearing sirens constantly. Many say you get used to it, but you may not.

Inspecting the Apartment

1. Make sure you see the apartment. Even if the description in the ad sounds fantastic, don’t ever say you’ll rent it over the phone, sight unseen. You must see it. Some people exaggerate when they post apartment information in newspapers and online.

2. Take the apartment hunting checklist with you. (See next section.) Make notes about each item using this list. It will help you remember details about each apartment, then accurately compare one with the other much later.

3. Bring your checkbook with you. In some cities like Boston, Chicago, and New York, there are “apartment hunting seasons.” This is usually before the start of the school semester when apartments can go in a matter of minutes. If you like what you see, and happy with all the conditions, you can give the agent a check right there so that the apartment can be reserved for you. Make sure that you get their business card so you know who to look for in case the check gets cashed and the deal not pull through.

4. Try to visit the apartment at different times of the day. Ask a friend to accompany you to check what the neighborhood is like during the day and at night.

Wise Words: My roommates and I had a really huge apartment but it was in a bad area. We were new. We had seen the place during the day so in other words, it was lying to us. In the evenings, it turned out to be a very dangerous area.—Artie Manalac, Sydney University, Sydney

Wise Words: There are "seasons" for looking for places in many college towns. People usually hunt in May (when leases are sometimes up) or in January (but I wouldn’t advise it because of the terrible weather). If you’re female, it’s helpful to bring a male companion (kahit na hindi S.O.) to look out for you. As a rule of thumb, always bring a friend along when you look for housing because they usually point out things and details you fail to see, as you’re more intent on just settling in as quickly as possible. In the midwest, it is an especially good idea to find a place with a laundry within the premises (this become pretty convenient when you have 23-inches of snowfall). A good building manager or
engineer is also essential. –Vanessa Go, New York University, Northwestern
University

5. Ask the person showing you the apartment about the following: security deposit, rent, when rent is due, water pressure, exterminator services if needed, when common areas (hallways, lobby) is cleaned.




6. Ask if the amount of the rent is per week or per month. In the US, Japan, and Germany, the rate is on a monthly basis. In Australia and the UK, it is per week.


7. Inquire from the person showing you the apartment about the proximity of the following locations, facilities and amenities: public transportation, supermarket, bank, police station, and hospital.

Wise Words: Take the time to check out the actual distance between the apartment and the public transportation station. My real-estate agent told me that one apartment’s bus stop was 5 minutes away when it was actually 15 minutes. I know because I walked from the Metro to the apartment. – Hector
Tiongson, Georgetown University, Washington DC

8. Check closets and turn faucets. You’ll want to see how huge the closets are. Will all your stuff from home fit? Turn the faucets to check if the water pressure is strong. Also look for a smoke alarm. If there is none, request that the landlord to install one.9. Make an inventory of what needs to be repaired and send it to the landlord. 10. Bring a tape measure. If you have furniture from your previous apartment, you might want to measure them and make sure that it fits through the door of the apartment.

Apartment Inspection Checklist

Below is a checklist that we found on we Homestore.com. We added a few items to make it more Filipino student-friendly. Read through the items and highlight your non-negotiables. You can also take this list with you and make notes about the apartment as you go about your hunt.

Terms and Conditions
Date Available
Deposit
Rules About Pets
Length of Lease
Penalty for Breaking Lease
Guarantor Required
Rent Amount
Rent Due
Subletting Allowed
Utilities Included
Water
Heat
Garbage

Apartment
Air Conditioning
Bedroom Privacy
Blinds/ curtains
Cable TV Connection
Internet Connection
Carpet
Hardwood Floors
Closet space
Furniture
Natural Light
Light Fixtures
Paint/ wall conditions
Phone jack in each room
Storage
Adequate space for visitors/ guests
View
Water Pressure

Kitchen
Age of Refrigerator
Counter Space
Dishwasher
Garbage Disposal
Gas/ Electric Stove
Microwave
Vent for Cooking Fumes

Community
Laundry Facilities
Noise level
Parking
Bike racks
Elevator or Stairs
Roof Access
Soundproof walls
Mailbox

Safety
Doorman
Security Cameras
Emergency Exits
Fire Extinguishers
Functioning Windows
Gated Entrance
Intercome
Locks on Doors
Outside Lighting
Smoke Detectors

Neighborhood
Average Age of Neighbours
Proximity to Public Transportation
Distance from School/ Work
Proximity to Grocery, Bank, Post Office
Proximity to Entertainment Spots: Bars, Bookstores, Movie Houses

After the Hunt

1. Read through the lease thoroughly. Do not be afraid to ask questions and make sure you have a copy once it is signed. The following points should be covered in the lease:

• Names and addresses of landlord and tenant(s)
• Description of the property being rented
• Dates covered by the lease, when and if the lease can be renewed, and when and how the lease can be ended. If the lease is terminated early, is there a penalty?
• What is the amount of the rent, and when it is due. Is there any grace period if not paid on the agreed date? Is there a penalty for late payment? When can the rent be increased?
• Are utilities included in the rent? If some are included, they should be specified.
• Who is responsible for maintenance and repairs? How will these costs be handled? Are you expected to pay any part?
• Is extermination part of the maintenance? How often will it be done? Who will pay for it?
• Are pets allowed? If so, is there an extra charge?
• If the accommodation is furnished, a list of the furniture and its condition should be included in the lease. Who is responsible for the furnishings in case of fire or theft?
• Who has the right of entry to the rental unit? May the owner enter for inspection or repairs?
• Is a security deposit required? If so, how much? When and under what conditions will it be returned?
• If renting a room within a house, what areas may you use and when? Are there any kitchen restrictions? What are the guest policies?

Source: “Signing the Lease” from the “Off-Campus Housing Guide and Student Handbook,” Office of Student Affairs, Georgetown University

If you are still unsure, show the lease to a representative of your International Student Affairs Office or to a trusted local for input.

2. Call a locksmith and have the locks changed. You don’t know how many realtor’s offices have the key to the place you’re renting. Have a second lock installed if you still feel unsafe.

3. Clean the apartment thoroughly. It is easiest to clean an apartment when it is empty. Clean first, then set up your stuff. You don’t know what kind of germs the previous renter might have left behind so it’s best that you clean, clean, clean. (Check out cleaning tips section.)

4. Apply for renters’ insurance. If you have a lot of valuables (expensive computer and jewelry) it might be worth it to get renters’ insurance.

5. Paint. It’s cheaper and less time-consuming than wallpaper. It makes an apartment with all white walls seem less institutional and more like a home. (Check your lease though, some landlords require you to paint your apartment walls back to white when you leave it. If you’re not inclined to dealing with this later, keep the walls the way they are.)

Before You Move

1. Inform your resident advisor/ previous landlord that you are about to move. Reserve elevators if necessary.

2. Make arrangements with friends or movers to help you move on a certain date. Make sure you have adequate transportation to move all your things.

3. Give your previous’ apartment’s post office your new address. In the US, there is a standard form that you fill out so that all your mail will be forwarded to the new location.

4. Collect boxes. You can ask for slightly used boxes in supermarkets or even from your academic department in school. You can also buy boxes especially made for moving. They’re cheap but they add up to a bit of money if you buy many.

5. Wrap breakables with towels, lots of newspapers and if you can afford, it bubble wrap.

6. Put heavy items at the bottom. But distribute heavy items among boxes so the boxes will be easier to carry and will not give way at the bottom.

7. Before you seal your boxes, label them on each side. Since many of the boxes will be stacked, it’ll be easier to identify contents when the labels are on the side and not on top.

Where to Get Furniture

1. Friends, family friends, relatives

2. Ikea – If you are in one of the 32 countries where there is an Ikea store, then you are in luck. The Swedish company really lives up to its “affordable solutions for better living” tagline. The furniture is reasonably-priced and fashionably modern. However, if you are planning to stay a little while longer after you graduate, you might want to go to a regular furniture store for cabinets and chairs. From our experience, some Ikea furniture hinges come loose through constant wear and tear.

3. Second hand stores/ consignment shops/ thrift shops – In the US, try checking out the Salvation Army. You may be surprised. You may find a lot of interesting and (re)usable furniture. In the UK, try checking out the Red Cross and Scope. In Sydney, our sources point to the Salvation Army and Tempe Tip.

4. Trash – Yes, we’re not kidding. On certain days of the week in many affluent neighborhoods in Tokyo and New York City, residents put their unwanted furniture on the sidewalk for garbage men or resourceful neighbors to pick up. Walk around the wealthy neighborhoods near your apartment, you could probably pick up a chair or two.

Wise Words: We salvaged our TV from an electronics store that was going to throw it away.—Alpi Bacani, Sophia University, Tokyo

5. Furniture chain stores

Our last tip for apartment hunting: Have a housewarming party after you’ve moved in! It’s a good excuse to make more friends and a chance get to know your classmates and neighbors better. They can also bring housewarming gifts which might prove useful and help you settle in.

Guide for Roommates

Unfortunately or fortunately, being on a student’s budget sometimes mean that you might occupy the position of being a roommate. There are horror stories about roommates, but for most of us and the people that we’ve spoken with, the roommate situation is not as bad as it’s made out to be. Titchie lived with an aunt who was based in New York City, while Tricia stayed with family friend, Lia Uy-Tioco who was looking for a roommate when Tricia arrived. Lia became like an ate to Tricia by showing Tricia the ropes to independent living in New York.

We think that the key to all roommate situations is an interview. This way each one can size the other up and talk about rules before they finally decide to share living accommodations. Prospective roommates should talk about personal schedules, habits, preferences, quirks and even allergies to see if they’ll be able to withstand living in so closely with each other. Below are some questions and issues that prospective roommates should discuss beforehand:

Financial Cost

1. What is the total cost of the apartment?
2. How much is each person’s share?
3. When is the payment expected?
4. What is the payment set-up? Do you pay your roommate or the landlord? (Sometime, the lease is under the name of one renter. Sometimes it could be under the name of all renters.)
5. How should the bills be split up? (Electricity, cable bill, groceries (toilet paper, toothpaste etc.) Students usually spend a lot of time on the internet, so we recommend that you each have your own phone line.

Space

1. Which areas of the apartment belong to which person?

Cleaning

1. 1. How often do you want to clean the apartment?
2. How do you want to split the responsibilities?

Habits/ Schedule

1. What is your weekday schedule like?
2. What time do you usually get up to go to school? (This is really helpful if you are to share a bathroom).
3. How are each of you likely to spend your weekends? (If he or she rises early, plays music on Saturday mornings, situations might become testy and even intolerable).
4. Do you eat out a lot?
5. Do you like to cook?

Guests

1. Is it OK if friends, boyfriends/ girlfriends sleep over? How many nights per week?
2. If friends/family from the Philippines come over, how long can they stay? (Take note that many non-Filipinos will not welcome a visitor staying for more than three days. Tell guests who are visiting from out of town and those who plan to stay on for longer than three days that they might have to find a hotel or some other accommodations,)

Party Situations

1. Do you mind hosting parties in the apartment?
2. How should we divide the work when setting up for the party?
3. Which areas are open to the guests? Which areas are off-limits?

Property

1. Which of the appliances, furniture, clothes, books, CDs can we share?

Wise Words: I had a German roommate for two semesters, a Chinese roommate for one semester, and an American roommate for another semester. My tip: Be open-minded and expect that foreigners have different living habits from you, especially when it comes to cleanliness in the bathroom and kitchen. You just have to live with it, or risk offending them. –Alpi Bacani, Sophia University, Tokyo

Wise Words: Keep your things on your side of the room, wash your own dishes, don't leave spoiled food in the fridge and make sure to pick off your hair clog after you take a shower. Oh, and let your Manila callers know NOT to call in the middle of the night! --Kitty Espiritu, Fashion Institute of Technology, New York

Getting to Know Your Neighborhood

If you’re like us who’ve never lived anywhere else but Manila before going abroad to study, adjusting to your new neighborhood might take a few months. We must confess that even after several years of living in the US, we still find ourselves thinking of home and favorite neighborhood haunts.

You’ve declared your independence (somewhat), so there’s no point thinking of the lovely comfort that familiarity brings. The best way to get used to our new surroundings is to go out there and explore. Walk often, three times a week for half an hour is the doctor’s advice for exercise, and should give ample time to orient yourself in your new neighborhood without the help of a map. Try different routes, check out historical houses and sites which may be within your vicinity, stores, markets, and coffee shops along the way. A street map of your neighborhood from the local news agency would be very helpful. In the UK an A to Z is used even by locals to get around, purchasing one will prove useful.

When Lia moved back to the Philippines, Tricia moved to Prospect Heights in Brooklyn. This meant adjusting to a new neighborhood, yet again. Together with a friend she walked around taking different routes. On one of these occasions, they happened upon a place called Tom’s Restaurant. When they walked in, they entered a diner which looked like it had the décor, chairs and tables from the 30s. It was like walking into a time capsule For Tricia and her friend Tony (now her husband), Tom’s Restaurant also served the best fruit-filled pancakes topped with creamy strawberry butter ever! Not only was the restaurant a wonderfully interesting find, the food too was excellent.

So for experiences like these, walking around is tip no. 1. But then, don’t go around thinking your pleasurable little walks are meant to spot remarkable places to write home about, you’re also on your walk to take note of the location of the following key agencies which is pretty much necessary for your day to day survival:

1. Supermarket
2. Bank
3. Library
4. Nearest bus train stop, shuttle stop, subway station
5. Post Office
6. Oriental supermarket
7. Drug store
8. Dry cleaners
9. Gas station (if you have a car)
10. Park

Wise Words: You’ve never walked in Manila as much as you’ll have to when you’re in London! Of course you could also get yourself a bike.—Yeyey Cruz, Royal
College of Art, London

We also advise that you do the same in school. There are always interesting things advertised on the bulletin boards and most of the time they’re free: student plays, concerts, film showings, art exhibits, poetry readings, even public lectures by some of your favorite writers. Only by walking around and being nosy can you what’s going on and then decide if you want to take be part of it. Get a map of the campus and check out the following offices:

1. Office for International Students
2. Your department office
3. Library
4. Cafeteria
5. Infirmary/ health center
6. Chapel
7. Student center
8. Computer center
9. Registrar
10. Bookstore
11. School Theatre
12. Art Gallery
13. Arboretum/ Nature Center

Another thing you ought to get intimate with is the public transportation system in your new city. If you find yourself in a deafeningly silent neighborhood, an exciting life of bar hopping, independent movies, soccer games, and contemporary exhibitions might just be a subway ride away. The secret to taking the Subway (NY) / Metro (Paris, Milan, Madrid)/ Tube (London) / S-Bahn (Germany) / MRT (Manila) / JR (Tokyo) is to figure out the final destination of the train before you hop on it. It’s quite frustrating finding yourself taking the wrong train. Or, you can turn it into a blessing in disguise and check out the area you’re in before you transfer to the correct train. But be warned, there are some bad areas and you may not be aware of it when you do decide to become adventurous at your wrong stop. Just make sure you bring your map with you when you get off, and follow your gut feel if you think the neighborhood you find yourself in isn’t safe.

Wise Words: The tube in London stops between 12 and 1 in the morning. If you plan on staying out late, plan ahead. If you want to take a cab, take a black cab they are well-trained. Be wary of the mini-cab drivers. –Mike Wilson, Royal College of Art, London

The bus, actually is a wonderful exploration vehicle because you can see more of the city without exerting as much effort as walking. You can look out the window, see if you like the surroundings and then hop off. Our alma mater, NYU, has a free bus service. If you find yourself in New York visiting you can’t miss it, they’re deep purple buses that look like street cars. The NYU buses take NYU students from the university to different university dorms around New York City. We’ve both taken advantage of this shuttle service to get a ride to the nearest dorm, to get to our individual apartments, and explore that dorm’s nearby shops and restaurants while we’re there. Find out if your university offers a similar service.Most big cities have very reliable public transportation services, but if you find yourself living in a city where cars seem to be the primary mode of transportation, places where despite having walked for more than half an hour and all you’ve seen are urban housing, you might want to look up the yellow pages or do a search on the internet for the location of the key services mentioned above. You might also decide to make contact with your neighbors with small talk while in the elevator or the parking lot and casually ask where they go for dry cleaning, the location of the nearest post office, even the nearest supermarket. The sooner you know your neighborhood and where the key agencies are located, the sooner you’ll feel at home.

Wise Words: The best thing about my new home, the new environment. No pollution and no TRAFFIC! –Annaly O Elegado, University of Queensland, Queensland

Compelled to Have a Car?

Since most students are on a limited budget and most universities are accessible via public transportation, we recommend that you stick it out with public trains and buses, bicycles, and rollerblades while you are studying. We suggest that you consider the idea of buying or leasing a car, should you still want to, once you find employment.

You must remember that when you buy or lease a car, you not only have to pay for the car monthly, but that you also have to pay for car insurance, parking, parking tickets, car washes, maintenance every 3,000 miles, etc. In Tokyo, you cannot even buy a car unless you can prove that you have a parking space for it! In Japan and the UK, you also have the additional challenge of learning to drive from the right side of the car.

An additional procedure you may have to go through is to change your Philippine or international driver's license to a local driver's license. And depending on the rules of your local motor vehicle’s office, you might be required to take the driving test or written test again. Another warning, for some reason, in the US, most Department of Motor Vehicles offices always seem to have long, long lines. It took Titchie, almost five hours to get her driver's license, the actual test only took 15-20 minutes. The rest was spent waiting! Bring something to read when you go.

Once you have made the decision to buy a car, our advice is to make sure that you do all the necessary research before showing up at a car dealership. Car company's web sites usually have all the information that you need: car features, accessories, colors, mileage information, price. Another piece of advice: “If you are female, bring along a male companion, it's sad but that's the reality,” says one of our interviewees. We hate to generalize, but too often many dealers assume that women don't know anything about cars. And yes, you’re a foreigner to boot.

Once you've chosen which car you like and the features that you absolutely need and can afford, go to the car dealership with your guarantor or co-signor and begin the car purchasing/leasing process. The dealer will usually try to convince you to purchase more warranties or additional features as you sign the paperwork so it’s best that you know what you want before you close the deal.

Similar to the guarantor for apartments, the co-signor to your car loan is a legal resident of that country who will assume the responsibility of paying for your loan should you default. Inform the co-signor that their credit history will be checked since you as an international student do not have a credit history yet.

You should also consider used cars (also called pre-owned cars) which are advertised in newspapers, websites (like Craigslist.com in the US), or in the car dealership. You can usually get these at a lower cost. Test drive the car before you buy it, and ask a friend who knows about cars to come with you so he or she can help you inspect the car and see how well it runs. Check the car’s documentation (registration, inspection certificates, etc.) to make sure that these are all in order.

In the US, one is usually expected to make a 20% down payment for new cars, after which you pay the difference via the dealership's credit business monthly. One is also required to have car insurance when purchasing a car. Car insurance rates depend on where you lived, and can be obtained by applying for it on your own or though the car dealership.

Finally, once you have purchased or leased the car, keep track of the mileage you are putting on it. The less mileage there is the more you can get for the car should you want to sell it later.

Bracing Yourself for Cold Weather

Be prepared for the winter season! Below are some of our tips:

1. Dress the part. Make sure you have the necessary ensemble:


Hat/Cap – the more it covers your ears the better
Scarf - long enough to wrap around your neck twice. Check out ways to use your scarf in the following pages.
Winter coat
Thermal Underwear – at least for the legs. The inconvenience of thermal underwear for your top is that it’s difficult to remove.
Sweaters - Buy sweaters that are easy to remove. Sometimes, you can end up in a classroom where the heat is on full-blast and you'll end up sweating heavily under all those layers.
Gloves – preferably lined with cashmere, polartec or thinsulate, will keep your hands warm better
Thick socks
Snow shoes - get the one with spikes if you expect to be walking through ice. Best to ask locals how cold winters can get in your adoptive cities. If you live in cities where the ice melts quickly, regular rubber soled shoes should be fine.


2. Moisturize. Old man winter affects both men and women. Make sure you have a heavy moisturizing lotion in your bathroom. You may also want to carry a small bottle in your knapsack along with some lip balm. For severely dry skin, try using the balm used for mountain climbing. It's available where hiking equipment is sold.

3. Drink lots of water.

4. Buy/ borrow a humidifier. It is a simple machine that converts water to mist to put mist in the air. This keeps the skin from drying and itching as a result of dry air from heaters. (If you can’t afford a humidifier, you can also put a damp towel near the heater.)

5. Even if the temperature is low, walk around, build a snow man, go ice-skating. Exposing yourself to the sunlight keeps one from getting "SAD." Seasonal Affective Disorder is a kind of depression that occurs seasonally usually during the winter months. We’re not kidding. So, go out. Seek counseling if you feel depressed for an unusual period of time.

Four Ways to Wrap A Scarf

Who knew tying a scarf would be so complicated? Here are a few techniques we learned from other students.

1. Crisscross wrap – Fold the scarf into two (if long) and put the middle part in the nape of your neck. Pull both ends down and cross them against the other. Tuck the scarf under your coat so it won’t be blown away by the wind.

2. Brown-paper package – Put the middle of the scarf on the nape of your neck and then cross the ends against each other. Tie a knot against your neck. Gather the ends again but this time on the opposite side of your neck. Tie a knot.

3. Aviator Snoopy – Put the middle of the scarf on your throat and pull the ends away from you. Tie a knot on your nape. If your scarf is long, wrap it around your neck once more but leave it loose so it moves with the wind. During the Spring, this style is also great for thin scarves, it will also help keep your throat warm.

4. Bookmark - (for long scarves only) Fold the scarf into two and then put the middle part of the folded scart in the nape of your neck. Pull both ends down then insert the section with the trimming inside the loop on the other end. Pull the trimming side tightly against your neck to make sure the scarf wont move around.