Housing



The English Center
7700 Edgewater Drive
Suite 540
Oakland, CA 94621
Phone (510) 836-6700
info@englishcenter.edu

  Housing


Living arrangements are an important part of the experience for International Students studying at the Engnlish Center. Students may choose between and family home stay, a private apartment, or sharing a home or apartment with a resident of the San Francisco Bay Area.


Here are some advantages and disadvantages of each choice:

  Family Homestay


Living with an American host, students will

  • be welcomed as a guest and family member;
  • have a private room;
  • receive two meals every day (Breakfast & Dinner);
  • use English in everyday living situations;
  • enrich their understanding of American culture;
  • experience the life of their American hosts;
  • be sensitive to the "rules" of the host family.

  •   Private Apartment


  • Students will have more freedom and independence than in a home stay;
  • Students may share an apartment with a classmate or friend;
  • In many cases, students will have to sign a lease, agreeing to stay for upto a year;
  • If a student leaves or move early, he or she will be required to pay for the period of the lease;
  • Students will do their own cooking (good if they enjoy this, bad if they don't like to cook);
  • Students will probably have to buy or rent furniture.

  •   Share a Home or Apartment


  • This can sometimes be a less expensive choice;
  • The student will share the apartment with others, possibly other students or friends;
  • Students will be treated as a "room-mate" or "house-mate" rather than as a family member.

  •   Suggestions


    If a student is single, the English Center recommends a family homestay, as this offers and excellent way to improve one's English more quickly. A homestay is also good for a married couple with no children, or two friends.



    If a student is married with children, then a private apartment is the best option. The English Center can recommend locations near good schools for the children. The rent for an apartment can range from $700 to $1,500 per month. For a private apartment or shared house or apartment, the most popular tool is an internet listing service called craigslist.org, which may be accessed as follows:

  • Visit craigslist.org
  • Click on "apts/housing", or "rooms/shared", or "sublets/temporary".
  • In the keywords box, type "near Jack London Square", "near Lake Merritt" or "Alameda".
  • Enter a minimum and maximum price range for rent, and how many bedrooms are desired.
  • If more choices are desired, try typing in the keywords "Oakland" or "Berkely".


  • The cost for a family homestay is a $250 non-refundable placement fee plus $1,100 for each four weeks of the homestay. This includes a private room and 14 meals per week. Please note that the English Center does not arrange the homestays; we work with Kong International Student Services (KISS), a company that has long experience in arranging homestays and that carefully screens and selects the families. Please apply as early as possible. If you do not apply at least three weeks before your arrival, it is likely that you will have to stay in a hotel until a family is located for you. To apply, please complete the homestay application here.


    The English Center
    7700 Edgewater Drive
    Suite 540
    Oakland, CA 94621
    Phone (510) 836-6700
    info@englishcenter.edu

    Copyright © 2017 The English Center