Accommodating foreign students implies flexibility and tolerance both from the host provider and from the student. The main objective is to provide a comfortable stay for the international student, integrate him/her into the family and encourage him/her to learn the Argentine language and culture.
During his/her stay in Buenos Aires, the student will be provided with a room with adequate lighting (natural or artificial), a table for studying and adequate hanging and drawer space for clothes and books, as well as internet service. Important definitions to keep in mind:
- SINGLE ROOM: Student has its own private room, but unless requested, a student may be placed in the same household of another NYU student or a student from another program. Single room means that the room is a private room.
- DOUBLE ROOM: Students share a room with another student from NYU only if a double room was requested and available. NYU students will never be placed in a double room with a non-NYU student, although they might share the same household with other students.
Should the student leave the room for personal reasons, it cannot be occupied by any other person, since his/her personal belongings will remain in the room.
It is not mandatory to offer a private bathroom for the student.
No student can be rejected based on political, religious, gender or ethnic issues. If an issue of this kind happens to appear, the student must inform the university at once.
There are some rules to be followed in order to make the coexistence easier.
- Breakfast is included every morning from 7 to 10 am. The student will be provided with dinner every night, except on Saturdays. He/she should have a place in the kitchen for his/her food. Lunch and tea are not included. The student should also have a place in the refrigerator and in the cupboard to put his/her food. In the case he/she wishes to use the kitchen, he/she should ask permission from the family, as this is not included in the homestay package, and must leave the place as he/she found it. Although students may have a glass of wine with their meals if the family offers it as part of a cultural experience once in a while, students are not allowed to bring alcohol nor drink alcohol in their homestays.
- The student will be provided with sheets and towels, which will be replaced once a week. The student must keep the room tidy and allow the person in charge of the cleaning, to clean the room frequently.
- The student is not allowed to do laundry at home. There are many laundromats in the city of Buenos Aires that the student can use.
- The student can use the family telephone only for receiving calls. If he/she wants to make international calls, he/she will need to use telephone cards. On the other hand, students should not use the family telephone for long periods of time without asking the host family previously. It’s highly recommendable for the student to buy a cell phone as soon as he/she arrives to Buenos Aires.
- The student will have the key of the apartment and the building for both main entrance and service door. He/She should be free to go into all the rooms of the house, just like the other members of the family. In case he/she looses the keys, he/she must immediately inform the family and is responsible for the cost of changing the lock. Please be sure to get all keys to the building including back doors and that you get keys for all locks – always try them the first day to make sure they work.
- LOCK OUTS: If student is locked out of the homestay and there is no way of getting the student inside the homestay, the student will be placed at a hotel for that night. Should the lock out be the student´s fault, the student will be required to reimburse the university for the cost. Should the lock out be the family´s fault, the family will cover the cost. NYU BA staff will evaluate the lock out situation.
- The student is not allowed to invite anyone to the house without having asked the host family in advance. In addition, the student is not allowed to have anyone sleepover. The family is not obligated to allow guests.
- The language employed among the family and with the student should be, whenever possible, Spanish.
- If the student needs to leave, even if it is only for a night, (this includes: knowing you will not have dinner at the homestay, sleepover somewhere else for that night, going away for a trip) he/she must previously inform the host family.
- Quiet and courtesy hours: Monday through Sunday from 11PM to 7AM. Please respect your neighbors and avoid noise such as loud music, skype conversations and showers.
- Once a month has passed, and with a week in advance, the family can ask EnjoyBA to swap the student, if they consider it necessary. The family will be asked to explain the reasons of the request. Likewise, the student will be able to ask NYU BA to be moved to another home, if he/she wishes so, once a month has passed. The student should inform NYU BA about the change at least with one week notice to avoid the penalty fee. Only one change per semester is allowed. It is critical that the student inform NYU BA Student Life Staff immediately of any issues or concerns. If students are not being served their meals, sheets are not being changed, etc. please do see the staff otherwise it cannot be fixed.
- NYU HOUSING POLICY at NYU BA: NYU's program in Buenos Aires requires participants to live in University provided housing as indicated in the marketing and admissions communications. Exemptions to the policy would weaken the integrity of the program and result in a loss of resources that support the academic enterprise and student programming efforts. Should the host families, Enjoy BA, or NYU BA Staff be made aware that the student is not complying (e.g.: renting an apartment with friends or significant other or by themselves) students may be held accountable under the student code of conduct and their stay in the program will be evaluate
- EnjoyBA nor the homestay family is responsible for lost or stolen items should a break in occur or should something go missing. All students are recommended to leave their valuables inside their luggage with a lock or if the homestay provides a safe, use it. It is recommended that students purchase the NYU Personal Property insurance.
PLEASE NOTE: These housing regulations apply only to NYU students. EnjoyBA has the right to offer different agreements to any of its tenants according to the rules and regulations of each university and or corporation. It also takes into account whether tenants are residents, tourists, students, etc.