One of the best parts of going to NYU is the opportunity to study at twelve different locations across the world. From classes to culture to even the residence halls, each site offers something a little bit different. Let these six comparisons help you decide where to study away next.

Dublin, Ireland

“Normal People” is one of my favorite books, so I was thrilled when I learned I would be staying at Trinity College Dublin — where Marianne and Connell go to school in the novel — for my CAS study away program last summer. For six blissful weeks, I called the historic Botany Bay, located only a two-minute walk away from Trinity’s arts building, my home. While the exterior of the Botany Bay accommodations are covered in overgrown ivy, the amenities inside are delightfully modern. I’ve gotten used to sharing a room in New York, but I had the luxury of my own single bedroom in Dublin and only had to share the spacious living room, kitchen and bathroom with one other suitemate. To top it all off, housekeepers cleaned the space for us every single morning — definitely worth the $3,919 per semester.

— Skylar Boilard, Arts Editor

Sydney, Australia

Moving across the world to Sydney was a dream come true, but staying at the Regiment in the heart of the University of Sydney’s campus was an experience I couldn’t predict. For $6,518 per semester, the Regiment offers a shoe-box-sized single dorm with a full-size bed, desk, fan, mini-fridge, a TV that I never turned on and no air conditioning. The bathrooms were communal and non-gendered. The shared kitchen was on the first floor, which meant I had to trek up and down four flights of stairs with all my ingredients whenever I wanted to cook. Even though I made new friends, the crowded building meant I never had alone time.

— Ciara Lang, Deputy Magazine Editor

London, England

Upon arriving at Urbanest Battersea, my peer mentor cheekily let us know that we were in the best dorm in London. She was right. Located in the Wandsworth borough, Urbanest Battersea is flanked by a sprawling 200-acre park and a decommissioned power station, which is now used as a swanky mall. Each flat consists of eight singles, one kitchen decked out with eight electric burners, a microwave, dishwasher and, of course, a tea kettle for tea time. Urbanest also came with a gym on the top floor and a weekly cleaning service. Although Battersea is the furthest dorm from NYU London’s academic building, the Northern tube line easily took me to class and my internship in Kensington. The biggest downsides were the price — $13,463 per semester for an ensuite bathroom — and my dorm’s window, which strangely, faced other people’s windows. Make sure to lower the shades if you want any privacy.

— Ethan Li, Copy Chief

Paris, France

The prospect of living alone in a furnished space with an attached bathroom for approximately the same price that I paid to have a mere bed and desk in a cramped triple room in Lipton Hall — $6,100 per semester — made for a convincing argument for me to study abroad in Paris. Located conveniently in the 14th arrondissement right across from a tram and train station, Fondation des Etats-Unis is the closest dorm to the NYU Paris building, taking approximately 20 minutes to reach by the RER B. In addition to being equipped with necessities like a bed, desk, fridge and heater, FEU also included sheets and cooking utensils, as well as a weekly cleaning service — something I could only dream of in the New York dorms. While some of the communal spaces, such as the kitchen, were admittedly not well-maintained and swarming with flies, places like the basement and spacious library allowed me to escape to solitude when needed.

— Zara Surti, Photo Editor

In Paris, I stayed in a single room, equipped with furniture and essentials, that was accessible with a key fob for around $8,000 per semester— while I had to fish for metal keys in my bag for $12,900 in Alumni Hall. All NYU Paris dorms include blankets, linens, pillows, pillow cases and a variety of kitchen utensils — proven incredibly helpful to reduce luggage. My dorm, the YouFirst Porte d’Ivry student residence, included a monthly cleaning schedule with a housekeeper. This hall features well-lit single studios with a bed, private bathroom and kitchenette. Though I was initially worried about the 30-minute commute to campus, it was surprisingly enjoyable. The trip helped me bond with new friends, extending the typical post-class conversation. My favorite part was the hall’s proximity to the airport. A half hour subway ride made catching cheap 5 a.m. flights easy.

— Erin Zhang, Deputy Copy Chief

Shanghai, China

When I arrived at NYU Shanghai, the first thing I noticed about living at Jingyao Residence Hall was that I’d have to adjust to taking a bus to campus, rather than walking like I was accustomed to in New York. While a bit sparse, the double suite I stayed in came with necessities like a stove, desks and air conditioning, alongside other facilities like individual washing machines, at a modest $3,955 per semester. It didn’t feel as tightly knit as Manhattan, but I found it surprisingly easy to get around by bus before biking became my go-to in the springtime. Even if most of the opportunities for socializing and exploring the rest of Shanghai were closer to campus, seeing Lujiazui’s skyscrapers shining in the distance from my dorm window after a hectic day always made me feel more at home.

— Kaleo Zhu, Staff Writer