Mid-term stays: The new foundation of international student housing - by Óscar Rubio

As the traditional housing market faces regulatory pressure, inflation, and limited supply, a once-marginal model is gaining ground across global real estate: mid-term rentals. Covering stays between one and eleven months, this category has expanded rapidly, becoming one of the most promising accommodation formats for people studying, teaching, or conducting research abroad.

Beyond the numbers, mid-term stays are shaping a new model of international mobility. In a world where the boundaries between tourism, work, and education are increasingly blurred, this model delivers flexibility for students, predictability for institutions, and sustainability for host cities. Its rise reflects a structural shift in how people live, learn, and interact with urban environments, especially in global education hubs.

The New Framework of Global Mobility
The growth of exchange programs, hybrid learning, and international academic mobility has created a landscape where millions of young people relocate each year to pursue education, research, or professional training. According to UNESCO and OECD data, the number of international students now exceeds six million and is expected to double in the next decade. Added to this is the rise of digital nomads and remote professionals, who increasingly seek flexible, well-managed housing for medium-length stays.

In this environment, traditional rental models — either short-term or long-term — no longer meet modern needs.

Short-term rentals, often tied to tourism, lack stability and contribute to higher housing costs. Long-term leases, on the other hand, tend to be rigid and poorly aligned with academic or professional calendars. Mid-term rentals strike a balance between the two: they provide stability and predictability without long-term commitments or exposure to the volatility of the tourism market.

For universities, housing operators, and mobility coordinators, mid-term stays represent an ideal framework to align institutional and individual needs — offering flexible contracts, clear timelines, and a higher degree of control over pricing, occupancy, and quality.

Technology, Data, and the New Housing Infrastructure
One of the key drivers behind the growth of mid-term rentals is the digital transformation of housing management. Over the past few years, new platforms have emerged that connect property owners, students, and institutions within secure, transparent environments. What was once a fragmented process — searching, booking, signing contracts, and managing maintenance — has evolved into an integrated, data-driven experience.

Artificial intelligence and predictive analytics now help anticipate demand peaks, optimize pricing, and maintain quality standards. Digital verification systems and secure payment gateways have also increased trust in cross-border operations, opening the market to international students who once relied on informal or local intermediaries.

In this new ecosystem, technology acts as both a connector and a guarantor — streamlining communication, automating paperwork, and ensuring transparency. Universities and academic programs are increasingly using these systems to oversee the residential experience, monitor housing conditions, and ensure compliance with safety and accessibility standards.

Beyond Housing: The Full Student Experience
For educational institutions, housing has become a strategic asset. It’s no longer enough to provide academic excellence; universities and program providers must now deliver a comprehensive living experience that supports learning, integration, and well-being.

Student satisfaction with housing directly influences retention, performance, and reputation. Surveys such as the Global Student Living Index consistently show that accommodation-related factors — safety, maintenance, services, and community — are among the top drivers of overall satisfaction.

Mid-term rentals meet these expectations by offering well-equipped, well-located, and fully-serviced options that align with academic schedules and budgets. For mobility managers, this model also reduces the risk of default, improves property utilization, and provides better oversight of housing standards.

But more importantly, mid-term stays help foster a sense of belonging. Students and professionals who live several months in a city contribute to its cultural and social life, build networks, and engage with local communities. This mutual exchange creates long-term value, enhances diversity, and strengthens the global character of urban life.

Shared Value for Students, Institutions, and Cities
The rise of mid-term stays has implications that go well beyond education. For students, it offers a reliable and affordable alternative in markets where housing is increasingly competitive. For universities and research institutions, it’s a tool to ensure student welfare and enhance international appeal. 

And for cities, it represents a more sustainable and balanced alternative to short-term rentals — one that supports the local economy without disrupting neighborhoods or displacing residents. 

Public administrations and local governments are beginning to recognize this format as an opportunity to structure global mobility rather than restrict it. Regulatory frameworks that define and support mid-term housing can stabilize markets, promote transparency, and foster professionalized supply chains. 

A Structural Transformation
Mid-term stays are not a passing trend but the real estate manifestation of a deeper transformation in how people study, work, and connect with cities. The convergence of academic mobility, remote work, and global talent circulation demands new housing solutions — ones that are flexible, data-driven, and internationally accessible.

In the coming decade, international students will be more mobile, more digital, and more demanding. Understanding this evolution from an educational and human perspective, not just a residential one, will allow institutions to anticipate needs, design better programs, and strengthen their global reputation.

In the new global learning economy, providing housing is about much more than offering a roof — it’s about understanding expectations, supporting adaptation, and transforming a temporary stay into a meaningful life experience that enhances both personal growth and academic success.

The future of international housing will depend on collaboration between technology, education, and urban development. Mid-term stays sit at the intersection of these three forces: a balanced, sustainable, and forward-looking model aligned with the realities of global mobility.

Óscar Rubio is the CEO and founder of Lodgerin, Madrid, ESP and Miami, FL.