Housing change requests will not be considered unless Syracuse Madrid determines that the current housing assignment represents a demonstrable risk to the students’ well-being and only after a 15-day trial period. Only circumstances that the Office of Student Life determines may have a negative impact on the student’s health or safety will be considered. Documentation may be required.


Homestay Change Guidelines

  • Students should make an appointment with the Student Life Housing Assistant as soon as an issue or potential issue arises.
  • A request for a homestay change must be made in writing and by appointment.
  • 1.) Mediation via phone call and 2.) in-person mediation among the students, Student Life Housing Assistant, and host family are the initial steps before a housing change is considered.
  • Changes are subject to the Student Life Office’s approval and to the time needed to locate a suitable alternative host family in the case of homestay assignments. This may take up to a week.
  • Under no circumstances will the student be allowed to change status to “Independent Housing” or to change housing option from homestay to residence hall and vice versa. Syracuse University Madrid establishes the three housing options before students’ arrival in Madrid: Homestay, Residence Hall, and The Social Hub.
  • Changes are not allowed when the main reason is distance to the International Institute, being the only student in the house, or not being placed with friends (all eligible requests regarding “being with friends” submitted prior to the posted deadline will be respected). Exceptions are only granted if the student submitted a claim to the office of Disability Services, and Syracuse Madrid can reasonably accommodate the request once it has been approved by the main campus office of Disability Services Housing Committee.
  • Students are expected to stay at their original homestay until a new family has been identified. Once a host family is selected and approved for reassignment, the family must be given 24 hours minimum to prepare the home and schedule for student arrival.
  • A change in host families will likely entail relocation further from campus or the city center. Nearby host families are rarely left as backup options.
  • Syracuse Madrid will not pay for hotel stays or for alternative accommodation.
  • Except for in the case of documented health & safety-related circumstances, no more than one homestay change per semester will be allowed.

Residence Hall Change Guidelines

  • Students should make an appointment with the Student Life Housing Assistant as soon as an issue or potential issue arises.
  • If an exceptional circumstance that impacts your safety arises, a request for a roommate change must be made in writing and by appointment.
  • 1.) Mediation via phone call and 2.) in-person mediation among the students, Student Life Housing Assistant, and Residence Hall are the initial steps before a roommate change is considered.
  • Changes are not allowed when the main reason is wanting to share with friends (all eligible requests regarding roommates submitted prior to the published deadline will be respected), unless the student has a verifiable medical claim approved by the office of Disability Services, and Syracuse Madrid can reasonably accommodate the request.
  • All roommate changes must be approved by the rest of students involved in the rooms affected.
  • Changes are subject to the Student Life Office’s approval and to availability in the residence hall premises.
  • No changes will be made regarding roommates, rooms, or other housing options. Only circumstances that Student Life determines may have a negative impact on the student’s health or safety will be considered.
  • Syracuse Madrid will not pay for hotel stays or for alternative accommodation.
  • Except for in the case of documented health & safety-related circumstances, no more than one roommate change per semester will be allowed (and only within the residence halls).
  • If for any reason a student does not use the spot assigned to them, and another student on the Syracuse Madrid program is not found to take their place, the housing fee and supplement will not be refunded.