turbina

That's good to know! Thanks a lot.

Hi everyone, I'm an international student from Spain in the process of getting my visa. I'm filling the DS-160 online and they ask for names, addresses, etc. of two people (can't be relatives) who can verify that the information I've provided is true. I was wondering if some of you could share your experiences with this; do they normally contact those people or just if something on the questionnaire looks fishy? And, if they do reach out to them, are they expected to know the answers I provided out of the blue or just confirm that whatever I put there is true? And would they conduct these little "interviews" in English, or in the language of the place where I'm getting my visa? Since I will have to ask two people to put their names there, I'd need to know if they must speak English (this is a big limiting factor on the list of potential candidates!), and I'd also like to tell them how much work on their part this thing will entail (i.e. is the probability of getting called really low or are they gonna have to learn my answers in case they get quizzed?). I'd really appreciate any input! Thanks a lot.

I will probably be looking for a studio/1 bedroom too, and would appreciate the input about prices Also, it would be really helpful if somebody could comment on how long it typically takes to get all the paperwork done to rent an apartment (i.e. from the time you visit the apartment and apply for a lease, how many days does it take until you can actually move in?). The university is paying for accommodations and meals for the first 8 days (they're having a 5-day workshop for international TAs at the beginning of August). This is really convenient for those of us moving across the pond, because we don't have to worry about where to stay the moment we get there, but I'm afraid it might not give me enough time to get a place and move in, so I'm wondering whether I should still look for temporary accommodation for after those first 8 days...

Thanks a lot for the heads up kyjin! It's good to know beforehand that it might pose some problems... I'll check with the Office of International Services to see if they can provide some guidance, and maybe I'll also consider finding a roommate who's already renting so I don't have to deal with all the paperwork... If anybody has some experience renting as an international I'd like to hear it too!

Count me in! They kept me waiting until almost last minute, but the admission letter eventually arrived I don't care for the on-campus housing, and I'm pretty sure I'll be renting a studio or 1-bedroom and living alone (although I could be open to getting a 2-bedroom with a roommate). Maybe kyjin or somebody else could share some knowledge on how hard it is for international students to rent an apartment? I obviously don't have any credit history, and hope to find a landlord who's ok with that (I don't mind paying a bigger deposit, and the university letter shows my stipend is $30,000 for the first year, so hopefully that'll be enough). I plan on arriving about a couple weeks before school starts (can't make it earlier) to find a place and get settled. Congratulations to everyone!