HOMESTAY & HOUSING OPTIONS

Living with an American family is a wonderful experience for any foreign student.  The student shares her/his own culture with people who enjoy learning about other lands and other people.  As a guest, the international student has the opportunity to practice the English language while learning about American culture. 

Each family provides a private room in their home for their international guest as well as 3 meals a day.  On weekends, many students join their families on picnics, trips around the Philadelphia area and outings to shopping malls and places of entertainment.  Every day, the student will learn more about American family life and interests.

Filling out the form and sending it to the Homestay coordinator, Dennis Serge, is the most direct method.  However, if you prefer, you may call him at 215-204-2365 or email him: dserge@temple.edu. THE HOMESTAY COORDINATOR MUST KNOW THAT YOU ARE INTERESTED IN HOMESTAY AT LEAST TWO MONTHS IN ADVANCE OF YOUR ARRIVAL IN PHILADELPHIA.

If you are going to travel abroad, you might consider this link of interest www.chinahomestay.org.

ON-CAMPUS HOUSING

Intensive English Language Program students can live on-campus in a residence hall only during the summer semester. This residence hall is located at 1300 Cecil B. Moore Avenue on the main campus of Temple University. Students who live in this hall can use a fitness center, central air-conditioning, a computer lab, a TV lounge, a game room, courtyards in front and back of this residence hall, and many social and study areas. Internet access and cable TV are available in every room. For more information, please go to Temple University's website for summer conference housing information: www.temple.edu/summerconference.
In addition, contact Dennis Serge, the IELP housing coordinator, to receive more information about living on Temple's main campus during the summer semester.

OFF-CAMPUS HOUSING

The Intensive English Language Program provides assistance for students who are looking for a place to live. Dennis Serge, Housing Coordinator, can be reached by email dserge@temple.edu or by phone at 215-204-2365.

Scroll down to the bottom of the page to see apartments for rent.

You can also visit the following websites to find available housing:

http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/hhh/

www.4WallsInPhilly.com

www.temple.edu/ois/ Click on "OIS Services"; Click on "University Information"; then "Find a Roommate" or "Students Looking for Roommates".

www.timesleader.com/mld/inquirer/ Click on "Classifieds" (at top). Then click on "Rentals" at the side.

www.brainsoap.com Click on "Classifieds" at the side. Then click on "Real Estate  for Rent".

www.citypaper.net/articles/current/index.shtml Click on "Apartment Search" at the top right; click on "Rentals".

www.ihousephilly.org

Housing and Neighborhood Options

Philadelphia has many neighborhoods, or areas, that have separate names. There are also Philadelphia suburbs, which are areas that are outside of the city borders. Some students choose to live within the city, while others choose the suburbs.

Some suburb neighborhoods include Bensalem, Elkins Park, Jenkintown, Glenside and Cheltenham. Parts of New Jersey are also considered suburbs of Philadelphia. Cherry Hill and Collingswood, although located in New Jersey, are close to Philadelphia and so, are considered to be suburbs.

Center City

University City

University City is situated within the area known as West Philadelphia. The University City area is home to the University of Pennsylvania and Drexel University, many cultural institutions, cultural events, and a large number of restaurants.  University City has many advantages when you are trying to decide on a place to rent: affordable prices, large apartments, wonderful restaurants, lots of green space, parks where you can jog and walk your dog, plenty of places that allow you to have pets, street parking, walking distance to school/work, good public transportation to/from Center City and other areas of Greater Philadelphia.

Fairmount/Art Museum Area

Fairmount is a neighborhood in the Art Museum area of the city. It is located just northwest of Center City. It borders the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and Fairmount Park, which is the largest urban park in the world. Many people choose to live in this neighborhood as an alternative to Center City. It has many restaurants, and it is convenient to Center City and Temple University. Apartment rental rates are reasonable.

South Philadelphia

South Philadelphia is the area south of Center City along Broad Street. Composed of many working class neighborhoods, South Philly is well connected to the rest of Philadelphia via the subway and bus routes. It is convenient to Temple as well as to many shopping areas. Rental fees in South Philadelphia are very reasonable.

East Falls

Roxborough/ Manayunk

The Roxborough and Manayunk neighborhoods are two of the oldest in the city. Once  thriving industrial centers, these neighborhoods have big, old houses that often contain several apartments. Center City, as well as Temple University, are close by and easily accessible by public transportation. Manayunk’s Main Street is a popular eating and shopping destination that hosts several festivals during the year.

West Mt. Airy

West Mt. Airy is a unique community of tree-lined streets, close to parks, with a mixture of large homes, row houses and apartment complexes. West Mt. Airy is recognized as a model of a successfully integrated community where people from various backgrounds live together peacefully. Mt. Airy is in the Northwest part of the city, and it is connected to Center City and Temple University by Septa’s regional rail lines. Apartments in this neighborhood are moderately priced.

West Germantown

Germantown is an historic neighborhood located Northwest of Center City. West Germantown borders Fairmount Park and is connected to Center City and Temple University by the regional rail system. Apartments in this neighborhood are moderately priced.

Chestnut Hill

Chestnut Hill is an historic neighborhood with a country village atmosphere. Located northwest of the city, Chestnut Hill’s tree-lined streets are home to a busy shopping area with many restaurants. Chestnut Hill is one of the most exclusive and expensive neighborhoods in Philadelphia. It is accessible to Center City and Temple University via Septa’s regional rail line.

Northeast Philadelphia