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Accommodation
Once your application for your studies at the university
is accepted, you need to look for a flat. Actually there exist two possibilities:
student housing or private accommodation. I opted for the first alternative
- Academia student house. In the following the application process for
accommodation and the living conditions at Academia/Concordia are described.
 private accommodation
Private accommodation is available in all price categories,
but most are cheaper than Academia or Concordia (it depends on the distance
to the university). The difficulty is to find something suitable while
you are still at home. At the beginning of the semester there's a lot
of “flat-hunting”. You can find flat advertisements everywhere
on the bulletin boards in university buildings. Useful is also the local
newspaper “Eikestad Nuus" (issued every Thursday). It is in Afrikaans
but most of the offers are in English or easy to understand. Afrikaans
is maklik (easy)! :) That is another reason to arrive some days before
the semester starts in order to have enough time to look for a flat.
However, one disadvantage of private housing is, that most of the flats
are not furnished. Housing
Application
Most of the rules and regulations you can find on
the website of the international office - housing information and the
different types of housing and prices (see box on the right-hand side). Student housing in Stellenbosch is very limited and therefore you should apply as early as possible. Process:
- choose your preferred type of accommodation
- fax application form to the housing department of the international
office
- if there is a flat available, you'll receive a confirmation of reservation
- after that you have to pay R2000 deposit to make the final reservation
There exist also some strange regulations. For example, you have to pay the full rent for January even if you arrive at the 30th. Another is, you are supposedly not allowed to cancel your contract before the end of rental period. Obviously they do not have a rent control or protection of tenants in South Africa ;)
Academia
 As
mentioned before, I'm staying in Academia in a B2 single room (18 m2)
at Block 3. I have my own bathroom with shower and share the kitchen
with my neighbour. I pay R1998 (€250) per month.
All rooms at Academia are furnished but you need to bring your own bedding
(pillow, cover and linen). If you are lucky, your neighbour has already
a fully-equipped kitchen. If not, you have to buy all the kitchen utensils
you need. In the description of the accommodation is says "38 m2
living room”. This living room is an entrance hall with two tables
and 8 chairs!
Big advantage of Academia is the network connection in every room. At
the beginning of the semester you have to pay an installation fee (R120)
and get your computer virus-checked at the information technology department.
After that you have access to the internet and the university network
(e.g. literature search at the library's site or email) at home.
security
Obviously, student housing is much safer than some
private accommodations. For entering the complex you'll need your student
card. At the gate there is a 24 h guard. You'll have to use your student
card again to enter the floor of your block. For your door you should
bring a pad lock or buy one at the supermarket in Stellenbosch. You
are also allowed to park your car inside the complex and therefore get some discount
for the insurance (access controlled area). But in my experience firstly,
it is so easy to get through the gate - just wait until somebody opens
the door to leave Academia. Secondly, the front-door of your block is
most of the time open because there are people visiting who have no
access card or students just do not close the door. Thirdly, the doors
of the flat are not too strong - I think one kick and it will break.
my decision
 I
chose Academia because for me it was important to have a room before
I left Germany. Additional safety was an important argument and Academia
is situated near the university (e.g. Engineering Faculty 1min walk,
campus 10min walk). Now, I am not sure if I would choose Academia again.
On the one hand, it is not as safe as it should be. The rent (for most
of the flats far more than R 2000 per month ) is too high - especially
when South African students pay only half! On the other hand, the network
connection is very useful and you can do your laundry (R5 for washing
and R5 for drying). If you are planning to study for a year or longer
at US, a possible solution is, to rent a flat at Academia only for a
short period to have enough time to look for private accommodation.
If you stay only for one semester, student house is the easiest way!
Concordia
Concordia is situated inside Academia as a seperate complex.
Among students it is called “prison” but it is
“only” as safe as Academia. Again, for the different types
of flat see the box on the right-hand side. I think it is quite similiar
living in Academia or Concordia.
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