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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I have heard of this a lot at Northeastern.  I think they don't have enough dorm space.  As the parent of a senior, I would not want him to go abroad his 1st semester.  As someone said above, he would miss all the beginning of college "stuff".  I also know a kid who did this at William and Mary and when he came back, he was put in a suite with juniors or seniors.  It was not a good fit for obvious reasons, and he ended up moving rooms.[/quote]

As far as NEU, yes, this happens to many.  About 50% of kids end up (this year and past years) in the off campus hotel with other "Study abroad /NUIn kids", 25% in dorm rooms and 25% in campus "apartments".  Those not in the Hotel, are just assigned wherever there is space---that means most likely they are a singleton in a random space, it could be any age/year in college.  You don't get to select where you end up===university just assigns you and you are stuck.  It is definately not a typical first year experience at all. I personally would not want my 18 yo freshman to come back from a semester abroad and be put into housing with juniors or seniors, heck even sophomores.  Those people already have their friends groups---and most kids that age are not really looking to include a newbie freshman into their friend group--because they really have nothing in common.

So really think whether this is the first year experience that would be best suited for your student.  Or if another one of their acceptances might just be an overall better fit.  
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I believe the 5 star hotel arrangement was due to Covid situation.
The kids who were supposed to go to overseas were stuck in Boston, hence the hotel accommodation.  
The hotel was 3 subway stations away.

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The Hotel arrangement the one year was NUIn covid (fall 2020) when they couldn't offer abroad locations. 
 
But last spring (spring 2022) and this spring (spring 2023), what I posted above is accurate.  50% of NUIn students end up in the hotel.  Yes it's only 3 subway stations away, but that is very different from being a 5 min walk from the center of campus, and all of that 5 min walk you are ACTUALLY ON CAMPUS.  And the other 50% get put randomly with any on campus housing spot with space.  So you might get a buddy or another freshman in your "dorm/housing" or it might be with 3-4 NEU Juniors/Seniors.  You don't know, and you can't request, you get put where they have space.

They have an overcrowding problem.  Even before the overcrowding situation, majority of NUIn kids were placed in singleton spots----they are backfilling open housing spots.  There never was a guarantee to live with other freshman or even one of the friends you made while in NUin studying abroad.  So it is true, and definately something for parents/students to consider when they make their choices.  Many, many kids would not do well with these situations at age 18.  Sure they will survive and most will stick it out.  But many of them might have been happier/better off at a more traditional freshman year.

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Can confirm, know someone that is a second semester freshman this year and is living in a hotel upon return from first semester abroad.  Her roommates from abroad are in same hotel.[/quote]

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