Finding the Right Housing Option for Your Internship
Congratulations! You've just landed your first internship, and now it's time to tackle the next challenge: finding suitable housing for your endeavor. As a college student or recent graduate, navigating the world of intern housing options can be overwhelming. But fear not! We'll help ease any pain points you may experience when preparing for your internship — your first sort-of foray into the “real world,” if you will. Here’s an overview of the types of housing programs you may encounter, and what you can expect.
Fully Managed Corporate Housing Program
When it comes to intern housing, there are different options available. One popular choice is a fully managed, all-inclusive corporate housing program, which is precisely what Synergy offers. What is corporate housing? It’s a form of housing designed for businesses needing to accommodate their employees, perhaps for a short-term assignment, extended work trip, or — you guessed it — an internship. The provider will work with your employer and take care of everything, making your housing search stress-free.
Here's what you can expect from a corporate housing program:
- No need to choose your housing: Your employer will select the housing for you, ensuring it meets your needs and is conveniently located near your internship site.
- Furnished accommodations: Corporate housing comes fully furnished and equipped with the essentials, so all you have to bring is yourself and a packed suitcase. It's ready for you to move in and feel at home.
- Full kitchen: Enjoy the convenience of a full kitchen to prepare meals and eat at home. It’ll be fully equipped with kitchenware, too, so don’t worry about stocking it with pots and pans.
- Utilities included: Electricity, water, gas, WiFi, etc. will be included and working upon arrival.
- Work-from-home setup: The apartment will have a desk and fast, reliable WiFi so you can work from home as needed.
- Laundry: An in-unit washer and dryer, or laundry facilities in the building, will make laundry a breeze.
- Amenities: The apartment building or community may have amenities you can use, such as a fitness center, swimming pool, recreational facilities or communal spaces. Before you arrive, find out what amenities the building offers.
- Pet-friendliness: If you have a four-legged companion, you may be able to bring them along! Many corporate housing buildings allow dogs and cats and even have pet amenities like on-site dog parks.
- Customer service: In addition to the customer service provided by the building, your corporate housing provider is also ready to assist with whatever you need, making your stay that much easier and comfortable.
Also with this solution, chances are you’ll be housed near your fellow interns, in the same building or very close to each other. This is great for getting to know your colleagues and socializing outside of work, so be sure to take advantage! In general, corporate housing is the easiest housing option you may encounter when starting your internship, due to how efficient and stress-free it is for both you and your company.
Housing Stipend
As a new intern, another option you might encounter is receiving a housing stipend. Your company will give you a set amount of money, either as a lump sum or on a month-by-month basis, and you’ll be responsible for finding your own housing and paying for it with the stipend. Depending on the market, your stipend amount and the accommodations you choose, the stipend may or may not fully cover your housing costs and you’d have to pay the difference out of pocket. There are potential challenges you may face with this solution, but it’s nothing to worry about if you equip yourself with the right knowledge.
Here’s what to expect with a housing stipend:
- Lease limitations: Finding short-term leases can be challenging, as most traditional rentals require a longer commitment of one year or more. This can make it harder to align with your internship duration. Look for short-term furnished housing or a month-to-month rental — they’re harder to find, but they’re out there!
- Furnishings: The housing you find might not be fully furnished, which means you'll need to buy or rent furniture yourself. Don’t forget about other necessities like cookware, and you may need to set up (and shortly after, cancel) the utilities. All of this will make the move-in and move-out a bit more laborious.
- Amenities: Because the short-term duration of your internship may limit your options, try to be flexible on amenities, as you may not find housing that has all the ones you desire. Prioritize the amenities that are your must-haves over the ones that are nice-to-haves.
- Customer service: The level of customer service you receive will vary depending on the housing you select, and it can be unpredictable.
That said — what’s your stipend budget, and what do you need? You can work with Synergy directly or through your company’s travel manager to book our short-term furnished housing. That way you receive all the benefits of corporate housing, and put your stipend to the best possible use. Our award-winning, white-glove customer service will also ensure your stay is comfortable and seamless. Otherwise, there are alternatives like Airbnb, Vrbo and extended-stay hotels that might be right for you — see more on these below.
Things to Consider
Whether you’ve been assigned short-term furnished housing or need to choose your own accommodations, there are a few things you should consider when preparing for your internship, such as:
- Transportation: Will you be bringing a car, or renting one during the internship? If so, what’s the parking situation? How will you be getting to the office? Is your housing near the office, or public transportation? Are Ubers readily available in the area?
- Pets: If you’re choosing your own housing with a stipend, it’s still worth looking for a pet-friendly building — more and more apartments are allowing pets these days.
- Laundry: Will your apartment have a washer and dryer, or are there laundry facilities in the building? An in-unit washer and dryer can be a game-changer, saving you time and making your stay easier, so you may want to prioritize this perk if you’re searching for your own housing.
- Other amenities: If you’ve been assigned housing, it’s a good idea to check what amenities the building offers so you can plan accordingly. For example, a swimming pool calls for packing your bathing suit, and a fitness center means you may want to bring your workout clothes. Otherwise, if you’re on a housing stipend, decide which amenities are important to you and prioritize them in your search.
- Roommates: You probably won’t be required to live with a roommate, but if you have the option, it’s worth considering. It can be a great way to make friends during your internship, not to mention save money if you’re on a housing stipend.
Other Alternatives
Aside from the aforementioned intern housing options, there are other alternatives you may be considering for your internship. Before you move forward with any of these options, you should know their pros and cons.
Airbnb or Vrbo accommodations come furnished and are typically houses or apartments, so they’re well suited for a summer or fall internship. However, they can be inconsistent in terms of what they include, and the check-in and check-out procedures. The customer service may be inadequate, and you’ll often be required to clean up the place when your stay comes to an end. It might be hard to find an option that’s close to your internship site at a reasonable cost, too.
Extended-stay hotels are meant for longer stays and can work well for internships, as they include kitchens. But the kitchen may be a kitchenette, and there may not be a separate living area or work-from-home setup. Plus, they can be lacking in pet-friendly options, amenities and laundry facilities.
Whatever housing you choose, or are assigned to, should provide you with a comfortable place to lay your head after a hard day’s work. If your company is using a fully managed housing program — great! Take advantage of all the benefits it has to offer. But if you have a housing stipend or are just looking for your own accommodations, give Synergy a shout. Learn more about our housing solutions and set yourself up for success at your internship, and in life!
