A fully immersive life abroad.

Through Butler Overseas, you’re not traveling just for tourism—you’re learning by living within the everyday rhythms of each country. That means housing, meals, and daily routines won’t look identical from one semester to the next, so you can get to know the local communities you visit. 

One semester, you might share an apartment with student roommates, cooking meals together in a communal space. You’ll get groceries or eat out at local stores and restaurants.

The next semester, you might lodge with a local family in a homestay, like a couple with adult children and their dog. You’ll build relationships with them through meals around their table.

Either way, you’ll be in close proximity to everything you’ll need, such as public transportation, green space, laundry options, and more. While the specific apartments, homes, and neighborhoods will differ from location to location, you’ll always have support nearby from local IFSA staff. Each apartment (flat) situation and homestay is carefully vetted, with some having hosted students for over 20 years.

Apartments vs. Homestays

Apartment Living

Apartments come with a greater degree of independence, with students either rooming together in IFSA-approved flats or students selecting a single room option when relevant. We recommend this option to students who want to practice their language skills and navigate the city more freely. 

Apartment living does come at a higher cost. Whether you live alone or with roommates, you can expect the flat to be fully furnished, and most basic kitchenware included. Most flats will have appliances like a microwave, stove, and refrigerator. Some flats will have private bathrooms in students’ bedrooms and some will have a shared bathroom. Linens are typically provided.

Single room options are available on a per-location basis. See chart below for details.

Homestays

Students in homestays are placed with carefully screened families in safe neighborhoods, many of whom have been hosting IFSA students for years. These families may host up to two Butler Overseas students at a time. 

You might live with a retired couple who enjoy frequent visits from their young grandchildren. Your hosts might have high school-age children and a grandparent living with them. Or, you might join a single mom who shares her home with her adult daughter and grandson. Many students keep in touch with their hosts after they return home. 

You can expect to have your own bedroom with a desk or other study space, as well as access to laundry facilities, whether in the family’s home or trips to the laundromat. Bathrooms are sometimes private but could be shared with other family members. You may not always have air conditioning, or air conditioning may be limited to certain hours each day.

Two to three meals a day are included when staying in a homestay, and you’ll buy your own snacks. Your host family will understand that you also need time out to be with friends and explore—they’ll just appreciate a heads-up when you plan to eat out.

Housing and Meal Details by Location

Location	Apartments	Homestay	Single Room*	Meals
Indianapolis	On campus	❌	✅	Most included
London	✅	❌	✅	On your own
Rome	✅	❌	✅	On your own
Sydney	✅	❌	✅	On your own
Merida	❌	✅	✅	All included
Buenos Aires	✅	✅	✅	Most included
Kandy	❌	✅	✅	All included

*Some single rooms are only available upon request for specific accommodations and may incur an additional cost.