Part I: Housing advice for US-bound students
Part II: Study in US? Fill your housing preference form
Part III: Study in US: Should you live on campus?

Do you refuse to enter the swimming pool at all? Do you first dip a toe into the water? Or do you dive straight in?

This metaphor neatly summarises your three options as an incoming international student. You can live in a single room, live with an acquaintance or live with a stranger.

Living in a single room presents a whole host of benefits and disadvantages. First, living alone will generally cost $1,000 more per semester and will ensure you a very small living space. Despite these drawbacks, the thought of added privacy and the ability to be free from roommate hassles can be very tempting.

As a new student, however, it is important to form a circle of friends and to interact with the other students in your dormitory. If you are not an extrovert, you may find it difficult to place yourself in situations where socialising occurs. Therefore, it is advisable to have a roommate at least during your first year.

Living with a friend or acquaintance, either from the US or from India, is a very popular option selected by many students coming to university. Of course, the added familiarity and guarantee of at least one friend influences this decision in the majority of cases.

The potential pitfalls, however, must be spelled out so that students understand the risks involved when taking this option. Rooming with a friend from home often leads to two main problems -- harming the current friendship and inhibiting new friendships.

Deciding to room separately from your acquaintance at home does not signal a rift in the friendship. In fact, you will have plenty of opportunities to see one another; living apart may provide just the right amount of distance needed to keep your friendship healthy and thriving.

Furthermore, living with a friend from home will inhibit your chances at meeting and making new friends. Instead of feeling free to mingle with your new roommate and hall-mates, you will feel obligated to include your friend from home in everything, and vice-versa.

Moreover, other new students will feel left out if half your conversation involves people and events from back home, potentially leading to estrangement and isolation from the rest of your dorm-mates.

Finally, rooming with a friend from home will help push you into the Indian clique. As a result, you may not immerse yourself in your new surroundings and meet people from varying and diverse backgrounds. There will be tons of opportunities to hang out with fellow Indians, be it through Diwali and Holi events or just going to parties with a heavy ratio of Indian invitees.

Living with a stranger will undoubtedly thrust you into the exhilarating experience of university life! The partnership could result in a lifelong friendship or may result in a sworn enemy. Yet, it will also be a productive and invaluable experience that teaches you a measure of independence and responsibility.

In the workforce, for example, individuals are required to operate alongside co-workers with different personality traits, talents, etc. Living with a stranger at university helps prepare one for this reality and encourages one to develop social skills necessary in everyday life.

The best way to prevent roommate disagreements is to accurately fill out your online preference form. These questions are extensive and cover a broad range of topics, from whether or not you smoke cigarettes to how much time you devote to studies. Based on your responses, the university will match you with a student with similar interests, which eliminates some of the uncertainty.

Most universities send out housing information around two months before school begins (late June). This will include your housing assignment and your new roommate's contact information.

It's a good idea to initiate a dialogue as soon as possible with your roommate; it will ease some of the awkwardness that occurs when you first meet each other face-to-face. It also allows you to plan your room's set-up (television, fridge, etc). You can also mutually begin laying the groundwork for what is acceptable behaviour and what is not; most roommate disagreements are directly linked to a lack of communication between the two parties.

Of course, if you and your roommate cannot get along, Housing Services will be happy to shift one of you to a new room. You should not be miserable with your housing arrangement, so make the change if necessary.

Finally, be proud of your Indian heritage and your Indian accent. The majority of students have come to university in order to broaden their horizons and to expand their world-view; many cherish the opportunity to live and work with someone from such a unique background. Of course, if you find that your roommate disrespects you and your culture, immediately protest. If the situation does not improve, consult Housing Services and begin the process of looking for a new roommate.

The choice between living alone, living with a friend, and living with a stranger is one of the first you must make in regards to your university studies.

Again, the 'easiest' option may in reality dampen your exposure and assimilation into American university culture. If you are adamant about living with an Indian or by yourself, the university will certainly make arrangements for you.

Just remember, this is an incredible opportunity and an experience you will cherish forever -- make the most of it!

Part I: Housing advice for US-bound students
Part II: Study in US? Fill your housing preference form
Part III: Study in US: Should you live on campus?

-- The author graduated in political science from Denison University, Ohio, USA, and currently lives in Mumbai. His substantial experience with Indian students allows him to speak authoritatively on the transition from India to the USA.