Travel health, safety and security

Depending upon the program type, your accommodation arrangements will be made in different ways:

• Semester exchange/study abroad: the host institution should provide advice about reputable accommodation options but please be aware that the level of support provided can vary between institutions. Sometimes you are required to live on-campus, other times you might need to make arrangements with a private accommodation provider and will be expected to organise this independently without assistance from your host institution or IEC
• Global Study Tours: the Activity Leader or academic will make arrangements for the entire group which will be included in the program fee.
• Prato Centre programs: students are required to stay in Prato Centre approved accommodation located in Prato for the duration of the program. You will be provided advice about how to book the accommodation when you apply for the program.
• Monash University Malaysia: Intercampus program students will stay in the Sunway Monash Residence and many short-term programs to Malaysia can be accommodated there as well.

On a Global Study Tour where the host country permits, Monash Activity Leaders are encouraged to practice gender-inclusive roommate practices allowing any two people to share a room regardless of gender. You will be given the choice to opt-out to ensure you are placed with another student of the same gender. In situations where the host country prohibits non-married individuals of different sexes sharing a room, you will be automatically placed in a room with a student of the same gender.

If you are booking accommodation independently, be sure you thoroughly review tenancy agreements and terms and conditions of the accommodation provider (particularly termination clauses and notice periods). The host institution and Monash University are unable to resolve any conflicts between you and your provider/landlord.

Recommendations for booking accommodation through a third party service:

• Read at least a dozen reviews of the property from reputable third party sites. Be cautious of fictitious hosts or guests - exchange students are often popular targets for scams, so you should always view the property in person before making any financial or legal commitments to a lease.
• Try to stay only in properties with 5-10 star user-ratings or are hosted by a “super host”.
• Communicate with the host only through the third party app or website. If there are concerns about the host or property, the third party can only resolve them where they are communicated through the app.
• Do a thorough safety assessment/walk-through when you arrive and take note of any significant safety or wellbeing concerns (e.g. no fire extinguisher, exposed wires, balcony security).