This study examines the housing challenges faced by international graduate students in Italy, drawing on ethnographic methods and the author’s personal experience as a form of autoethnography. Data were collected through field notes, informal interviews, and document analysis over a one-year period. Findings reveal that students often confront financial and logistical barriers, including multi-month deposits, agent fees, inflexible leases, and discrimination. Moreover, language barriers and unclear academic timelines exacerbate these challenges. While offering temporary relief, short-term rental platforms like Airbnb and Booking.com have reduced access to affordable housing and driven up competition. As a result, international students are frequently pushed into overpriced or unsuitable accommodations. This article argues that universities and policymakers should establish formal housing options, increase transparency in lease terms, and better align academic calendars with local rental markets. These measures would help address the housing needs of a growing but often overlooked population of international students studying abroad.
Esther C. Kim (Fri,) studied this question.