Taking it home

ACCOMMODATION IS A MAJOR CONCERN when studying overseas. Where to stay? What will it be like? How much will it cost?

Rookie's New Zealand education series continues this week with a comparison of home stays, dormitories, houses and apartments - four types of lodging often used by Thai students when attending universities in the land of the kiwi. Rookie also lists estimated living costs.

Home stays

" You may not much privacy when living in a home stay," says Chatree Faikhamta, a PhD candidate in science education, who has tried all four types of accommodation.

" The bedroom and bathroom don't have a lock," says Chatree, 25, who is working on a project for his doctoral dissertation at University of Waikato in Hamilton. " Sometimes, the kids will just walk in when I'm changing clothes or working on a paper because they want to play with me. And when I come home from classes, I have to watch television and socialize even though I'm tired."

" However, living in a home stay means that you don't have to cook for yourself and you won't feel lonely on weekends. Your host family will likely invite you to enjoy outdoor activities, such as picnics with them.

Those invitations are a double - edged sword. " I'm here to be pursue a doctoral degree," says Chatree, who will earn his doctoral degree from Kasetsart University. " But I feel inconsiderate if I refuse invitation."

Pattarin Siripornpak says that Thai students need to adjust when living in a New Zealand home stay.

" You can't lake long showers," says Pattarin, 20, a sophomore studying commerce at the University of Auckland, " Water costs a lot and people want to save natural resources."

New Zealand parents don't coddle their children - or guests- as much as Thai parents. They won't peel pieces of fruit and offer them to others. " It's more like ' help yourself'," Pattarin says. " Kiwi parents will place fruit on the table. And if you want it, you just grab it."

Dormitories

Dormitories, or student apartments, are owned or managed by a university. Thai are a popular option because they're strictly for students and are usually close to campus.

Student can choose self- catering or full - catering options. With self- catering students opt to buy and cook their own food and to wash their laundry. The full - catering option allows students to eat in the canteen daily and have someone do their laundry.

Tida Polyudhapoom recommends dorm living for recent arrivals.

" It's easy to make friends and participate in campus activities if you live in a dorm," says Tida, 22, a senior majoring in architecture at Victoria University in Wellington.

Dorms provide privacy when you need it and socialization when you want to chat with friends, Chatree says.

"You'll have your own room, which affords privacy," says Chatree, who has lived in New Zealand for eight months. " Sharing the bathroom is not a big problem. New Zealanders don't shower as often as Thais."

Houses

Kiwis often refer to rental houses as flats. Students have their own rooms and cook their own foods.

" The house has private rooms with a shared living room, bathroom and kitchen. So, you can cook whatever you want, but you have to take the time to shop for the raw ingredients," says Chatree, who likes living in flats because he can cook whatever he wants and eat whenever he wants to eat.

" Problems occur when people don't clean up after cooking and don't take out the trash or turn up the music when guests come over," Chatree says adding that these problems can be avoided by establishing house rules.

Apartments

One student may rent an apartment, or two students often share in New Zealand. The rooms are referred to as single and twin stays.

" You'll have privacy because you have your own bathroom and kitchen. But apartments are often far from campus, and you can feel alone with no one to talk to," Chatree says.

Apartments give you a sense of independence. But with that freedom comes responsibility.

" You get to do everything yourself - deal with landlord, pay the utility bills and set up service with the phone company," says Tida.

ROJANA MANOWALAILAO

The Nation