While sharing your space with someone from a different corner of the globe can be one of the most enriching experiences you’ll have, it can also be quite challenging.
From figuring out the cleaning schedule to understanding each other’s boundaries, there’s a lot to navigate.
That’s why we’re here to help!
In this blog post, we’ll walk you through some super helpful tips to make living with your international roommate not just manageable, but truly enjoyable.
First, What are the Pros & Cons of Living With A Foreign Roommate?
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When it comes to living with an international roommate, the experience is like a coin with two sides—each with its own set of perks and challenges.
Let’s chat about what makes this journey so special, and what bumps you might find along the way.
Pros
- Cultural enrichment: Imagine celebrating Diwali, Christmas, and Chinese New Year all in one apartment! Living with someone from a different culture turns your home into a mini global village. You get a firsthand look at traditions, foods, and daily practices that books or documentaries can barely do justice to.
- Language practice: Ever wanted to learn Spanish, French, or Mandarin but found classes too dull or expensive? Well, if your roommate speaks a different language, it’s a great opportunity to practice or learn a new language. It’s much more engaging and fun to learn by conversing daily than through books or apps alone
- Expanding your perspectives: Discussing world events with someone from another country can open your eyes to different perspectives. It encourages open-mindedness and can challenge preconceived notions you might have about other cultures.
- New friends and connections:: Having a foreign roommate often means they might have friends from other countries too. This can expand your social circle and introduce you to a diverse group of people you might not have met otherwise. It can be particularly valuable if you’re looking into working or studying abroad.
Cons
- Different daily routines: Your idea of early might be their idea of a sleep-in. Maybe your roommate comes from a culture where dinner at 10 PM is the norm, while you’re used to eating by 6 PM. These differences in daily routines can be quirky at first, but frustrating if not navigated carefully.
- Communication hiccups: Even if you both speak the same language, certain nuances and expressions can lead to misunderstandings. Sometimes, what’s considered a harmless joke in one culture can be a rude remark in another. It’s all about navigating these nuances with care and a good dose of humor.
- Privacy issues: In some cultures, it’s normal to enter someone’s room without knocking, while in others, such privacy invasions could lead to World War III in the apartment! Setting clear boundaries that respect both your privacy is key.
- Household habits: Cultural differences can extend to everyday habits and lifestyles, from cleaning standards to cooking smells, noise levels, and even the way you spend your leisure time. What’s normal in one culture (like leaving dishes overnight) might be a no-go in another. This might require adjustments and compromises that not everyone is comfortable with.
Related: 14 Types Of Roommates You’ll Eventually Meet in 2024
9 Tips For Living With International Roommates
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Now, here are some practical tips to help you navigate the rewarding yet complex dynamics of living with someone from a different cultural background.
1. Explore with your international roommate
A new city or country often means new stores and chains you don’t recognize. For your international roommate, it could be quite a culture shock.
Take time to get to know the city together. Find a favorite grocery store, try a couple of happy hours, and just explore the neighborhood with your roommate even if you aren’t best friends (yet).
After you’re done raiding the local farmer’s market, schedule a night to try cooking a new dish —maybe you’ll discover a new favorite you’ve never heard of before!
Trust us — while it seems like a small gesture, it will help your new roommate feel at home.
This goes both ways, though! They might have some killer recs for you too. Never tried Ethiopian food? Who better to show you exactly how to eat that spongy bread than a local?
And if you and your international roommate have any sort of language barrier, just remember: Food is the universal language.
Related: The Cost of Living in NYC for International Students
2. Share cultural norms
When it comes to sharing stuff, it’s always best to ask — whether it’s food or toiletries, don’t just assume it’s yours to use.
Hopefully, you’re doing that anyway, but sharing habits aren’t always so common sense. Americans, for example, might be more casual about “borrowing” something than someone from abroad.
Wherever you stand on the sharing thing, it’s best to talk about it early on to avoid any misunderstandings on either of your part. The last thing you want is to sour your relationship with your international roommate over some grapes.
3. Be crystal clear about what’s ‘included’
It’s super important to be transparent about what’s included in your living arrangement.
This isn’t just about the rent and bills—though those are key—it’s about all the little (and not so little) things that can cause misunderstandings if they’re not spelled out from the get-go.
For example, let’s talk about the basics like utilities. Are all utilities included in the rent, or will you and your roommate be splitting the costs of things like electricity, water, and internet? This should be laid out clearly to avoid any surprises when the bills start rolling in.
But beyond the financials, you should also discuss what living essentials are shared and what aren’t. Will you be sharing food, or is everyone on their own for meals?
What about cleaning supplies or bathroom essentials like toilet paper—will these be communal expenses, or is everyone expected to pitch in separately?
And here’s one that often gets overlooked: space usage. Be clear about which areas are communal and which are private. Can you both use the living room for hanging out or hosting friends? Who gets which shelves in the fridge?
These might seem like small details, but they can lead to big headaches if they’re not hashed out upfront.
Related: 10 Things a Roommate Agreement Should Have for 2024
4. Use a good app
If you’re moving to a new country and need some navigating the rental landscape, having the right tools can make all the difference.
This is where a reliable international roommate finder like Roomi steps in. Roomi isn’t just another platform to find a place to live; it connects you to a vibrant community of renters who are actively looking to share their living spaces.
Here’s how Roomi can streamline your roommate search:
- Provides over one million listings in 30+ countries to give you access to a broad range of international apartment/roommate choices.
- Allows you to create detailed profiles that include lifestyle preferences, habits, and more, making it easier to match with potential roommates who have similar living styles and values.
- Takes your safety seriously. Powered by Garbo™, Roomi runs background checks so you can verify if potential roommates have any history of violent or harmful behavior.
- Allows its users to get their profile ID verified; this way, you can easily interact with credible & trustworthy individuals.
- Lets you filter apartment and roommate searches by location, price, gender, property type, ID-verified listings & users, and more.
- Offers a messaging system that can help you initiate conversations with potential roommates.
Overall, Roomi’s amazing features not only help you find the right roommate but also ensure that the process is safe, efficient, and tailored to your needs.
Whether you’re a student, a young professional, or someone looking to explore living with an international roommate, Roomi equips you with the tools necessary to make an informed and secure decision.
Find a Great International Roommate With Ease
Related: Roomster vs Roomi: What’s the Best Roommate Finder App for 2024
5. Don’t assume anything
Assumptions can be the quickest route to misunderstandings. When you live with someone from a different cultural background, try to avoid jumping to conclusions based on your cultural norms.
For example, if your roommate doesn’t share much about their personal life, it doesn’t necessarily mean they’re unfriendly. Some cultures value privacy and might take longer to open up.
Always ask and communicate instead of assuming; this will help you avoid many potential conflicts and help you understand your roommate’s actions and responses better.
Related: 8 Signs of a Passive-Aggressive Roommate in 2024
6. Make intros
Hopefully, you and your new international roommate can find some common ground to let a friendship bloom.
But even if you’re not the best of buds, you might be able to introduce them to their next BFF — making you Roommate of the Year!
So get on your Facebook/Instagram/X (or any other social media platform you use) and make some intros. It’ll be the easiest thing you can do with the largest payoff.
7. Avoid using stereotypes
It’s also important for you to recognize and avoid relying on stereotypes when interacting with your international roommate.
It’s way better to get to know your roommate as a person. Ask them about their interests, their family, what a typical day looked like for them back home, or their favorite music.
You’ll likely find that they’re much more than any stereotype could cover. Plus, this kind of open curiosity may help you build a more genuine and respectful relationship.
Related: Roommate Harassment Laws: What Is It and Everything You Can Do About It
8. Solve problems in the early stages
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Let’s say you’ve moved in with your new roommate, and things are mostly going great. But then, little things start popping up—maybe it’s dishes left in the sink longer than you’d like, or the bathroom becomes a free-for-all during your morning routine.
It’s easy to think, “Oh, I’ll just let it slide this time,” but those little annoyances can quickly snowball into major irritations if they aren’t addressed.
The trick here is to bring up issues while they’re still small. You might worry about coming off as naggy, but it’s really about keeping your shared space comfortable for everyone.
If you notice something, say something (in a polite way, of course.) Your roommate might not even realize they’re doing something that bugs you. People have different living habits, and what’s obvious to you might not be to someone else.
Related: How To Deal With A Messy Roommate
9. Be patient
Living with a foreign roommate may test your patience in all sorts of ways. Think about it: each of us grows up with our own set of norms, and it can take a minute to adjust when someone else’s norms crash into ours.
However, showing a bit of patience can make things much easier. It allows everyone some breathing room to adjust and find common ground. Remember — just like you’re adapting to their quirks, they’re adjusting to yours.
Showing patience gives you time to understand and respect your roommate’s needs and preferences and vice versa.
Wrapping Up
And there you have it! Living with an international roommate goes beyond just sharing a space—it’s about sharing experiences, learning from each other, and growing together in unexpected ways.
With these tips in your back pocket, you’re all set to make the most of this unique living arrangement.
Good luck!
