International students and staff mobility has become increasingly important not only in the educational field, but in our professional life. Moving abroad is not only a study abroad or a job assignment task, but also a Life Experience.

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However, this experience comes with some significant challenges, particularly regarding housing. Organizations and Universities that manage international mobility and academic programs face numerous cultural, logistical, operational, and trust-related challenges. These range from finding suitable housing to resolving common issues during the student's stay.

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From the Academic side, program coordinators, and study abroad departments. who until now have often been minimally involved, must address these challenges, as they can significantly impact the success or contribute to the failure of a program or even create issues that affect the wellbeing, creating anxiety, stress, lack of concentration, poor academic performance, etc.

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For this reason, it is strategic to ask: is there any innovative solution to transform this experience and make it successful for students, universities and organizations alike? And how can technology help us to achieve this?

 The Main Challenges in International Housing

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1. Finding housing: the first major challenge

One of the biggest challenges for universities and students is finding suitable housing abroad.Traditional platforms and marketplaces are overwhelmed with options, leading to a fragmented and confusing experience. This forces students and program coordinators to navigate through thousands of listings, where the primary focus often revolves around competing for high booking commissions, surprise fees, hidden charges, lack of transparency, or even cultural differences (such as confusion over room sizes or bed dimensions), among other issues.

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2. Poor experience abroad

Once students have arrived at their destination, they may encounter various operational issues. The lack of standardized processes or proper follow-up from universities can lead to situations such as:

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-             Issues with housing, such as inadequate conditions or breaches of agreements.

-             Lack of communication with property owners or the university.

-             Difficulties in managing payments or solving incidents.

-             Lack of Induction to Property, neighborhood, public transportation, etc.

These negative experiences not only affect the students but can also influence the overall perception of the program, potentially impacting enrollment rates in future semesters. It is also important to remember that students are not only participating in an academic program but also living a life experience abroad.

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3. Low problem-solving efficiency from remote distance

Another significant challenge is the limited capacity of universities to manage issues remotely. Without a representative at the destination, coordinators face obstacles in gaining visibility into incidents and resolving them effectively. This can lead to delays in addressing student concerns, misunderstanding, miscommunication, and in some cases, exacerbate the problems.

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Technology as the Key of Change

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The digitization of processes and advanced technological tools are increasingly emerging as a clear solution to overcome these barriers, simplifying the experience for both students and universities.

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Key Factors for Success

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The success of these solutions depends on several key elements:

·     Collaboration among all stakeholders: synchronization between universities, property owners, and students is essential to creating an efficient and functional ecosystem.

·     Adaptation to regulatory frameworks: each country has its own specific regulations, which means technological solutions must adapt to these variations to ensure a seamless experience.

·     Flexibility and Personalization: each student is unique, so systems must be dynamic and scalable enough to accommodate diverse needs and budgets

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Beyond the Academic Program: a Life Experience

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During an experience abroad, housing is not just a place to sleep; it is the space where memories are made, challenges are overcome, and lasting connections are built. Tools developed by companies transform the experience of studying abroad into something far more than just an academic stage.

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The future of international mobility depends not only on academic excellence but also on the ability to provide a life experience that is enriching, safe and transformative.

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