International Study Center

Student smiling at camera

OVER 4,000 STUDENTS

live on campus

STUDENT ACCOMMODATION

Get the most out of your American college experience by living in on-campus student accommodation. With 16 residence halls to choose from, there is housing to suit all styles and budgets.

WHY LIVE IN UNIVERSITY ACCOMMODATION?

Living on-campus in university accommodation, known as residence halls, is a great way for international students to adjust to life abroad and become part of student life. You will be surrounded by other students in a supportive environment, never far from other people who know what it’s like to feel nervous being at university for the first time. New freshman and transfer students who meet the housing deadlines are guaranteed student accommodation during the first year. Priority is given to those who apply early, so make sure you apply for your program as soon as possible and pay your deposit. You will then be able to arrange your accommodation.

LEARN ABOUT YOU

Housing communities at Western offer specialized events and programming to help you adjust to living with other students while you learn more about yourself, how to live and work with others, and how to build a lasting community. By engaging in roommate conversations and community development in a safe and supportive environment, you will strengthen your personal identity, develop interpersonal skills, and explore the responsibilities and impact of building your community.

CLOSE TO EVERYTHING

In university residence halls, you will live near your classes, and near everything you need on-campus like dining and events. It will be easy to walk to your classes, university facilities, and be at the heart of campus life and events. From your on-campus accommodation, you can also easily walk to downtown Bellingham for dining and shopping.

RESIDENCE HALLS

There are 16 residence halls and one apartment complex across three regions of Western’s campus: North Campus, Ridgeway Complex, and South Campus. North Campus is located the closest to the International Study Center, and can be reached in about a five minute walk. South Campus is the furthest from central campus, but will only take about 10 minutes to walk to your classes. The entirety of Western's campus is only a 20 minute walk from end to end, so no matter which residence hall you choose you will still be close to campus activities and close to your classes.

The building layouts are designed in two ways:

  • Corridor Style - rooms line a central hallway and residents share one or two large bathrooms; a traditional style that makes it easy to meet people.
  • Suite Style - two to five rooms with a shared bathroom; promotes strong relationships between roommates and suitemates.

North Campus residence halls are located close to Viking Union, where you can meet with students to relax, eat, or meet with your club. Just a short walk away is Viking Commons, Red Square, and Wilson Library.

EDENS HALL

158 residents live at Edens Hall across three floors, with priority given to Honors Program students. Double and triple occupancy rooms are available, with suite-style bathrooms. There is an indoor bike storage, elevators, and wheelchair accessible suite.

EDENS NORTH

111 residents live at Edens North across four floors in single, double, and triple occupancy rooms. There are community bathrooms, some elevators, and indoor bike storage.

HIGGINSON HALL

221 residents live at Higginson Hall across 5 floors. Double rooms with suite-style bathrooms are available. The building is elevator accessible, and wheelchair accessible suites, as well as covered bike storage. Higginson Hall also offers alcohol-free accommodation.

MATHES HALL

300 residents live across nine floors at Mathes Hall in double rooms with community bathrooms. Alcohol-free areas are available, as well as elevators and covered bike storage.

NASH HALL

Seven floors accommodate 336 residents at Nash Hall. Choose from single, double, and triple occupancy rooms with community bathrooms. There are alcohol free areas, and the building is elevator accessible, with wheelchair accessible rooms. Outside, there is covered bike storage.

Often called ‘the Ridge’ by students, Ridgeway Complex is located on the hill overlook central campus, and only a few minutes walk from class. Here, trees and scenic views surround you. The halls offer special programing to promote recreation and student involvement, and the complex even has its own dining hall.

HIGHLAND HALL

Two floors house 137 residents at Highland Hall in double rooms with suite-style bathrooms. There is outdoor bike storage.

RIDGEWAY ALPHA

107 residents occupy three floors at Ridgeway Alpha. There are single, double, and triple occupancy rooms with community bathrooms. The entire hall is alcohol-free, and there is covered bike storage.

RIDGEWAY BETA

207 residents live at Ridgeway Beta across four floors in double rooms with suite-style bathrooms. There are alcohol-free areas available, and indoor bike storage.

RIDGEWAY DELTA

At Ridgeway Delta, four floors house 115 residents. Single, double and triple occupancy rooms are available with community bathrooms and covered bike storage.

RIDGEWAY GAMMA

Four floors house 226 residents at Ridgeway Kappa in double occupancy rooms with suite-style bathrooms. There are alcohol-free areas and indoor bike storage.

RIDGEWAY KAPPA

Four floors house 225 residents at Ridgeway Kappa in single, double, and triple occupancy rooms. There are community bathrooms and outdoor bike storage.

RIDGEWAY OMEGA

108 residents live at Ridgeway Omega across three floors. There are single, double, and triple occupancy rooms with community bathrooms and covered bike storage.

RIDGEWAY SIGMA

108 residents live at Ridgeway Sigma across five floors. There are single, double, and triple occupancy rooms with community bathrooms and covered bike storage.

Most new students live in the Fairhaven Complex in a close-knit community. Special programs and events are held for students living in South Campus, so you will quickly feel welcomed. From here you are only a short walk or bus ride from classes and the main dining halls.

BUCHANAN TOWERS

Eight floors house 411 residents at Buchanan Towers. Choose from double and triple rooms, each with suite-style bathrooms and a kitchenette in every suite. There is elevator access, indoor bike storage, and gender inclusive housing availability.

BUCHANAN TOWERS EAST

Five floors house 99 residents at Buchanan Towers East. Single and double occupancy rooms are available, each with suite-style bathrooms and a common area in every suite. There is an indoor bike storage, elevators, and wheelchair accessible suites.

FAIRHAVEN COMPLEX

Four floors house 650 residents in multiple buildings at Fairhaven Complex. You can choose from single or double occupancy rooms with suite-style bathrooms. There are alcohol-free areas available. Some buildings have elevator access and wheelchair accessible suites. There is also outdoor bike storage.

BIRNAM WOOD

Non-freshman wanting to live in apartments off-campus can apply for accommodation at Birnam Wood. There are 130 units that can accommodation 520 students that include wireless internet, digital cable, utilities, and use of the laundry facilities. Birnam Wood apartments also come equipped with a full kitchen, living room, dining room, storage closet, bathroom and balcony, with access to a community building, front desk, computer lab and bike storage.

AT THE HEART OF STUDENT LIFE

Living on-campus puts you at the heart of the active student community. You will have easy access to events and special programming opportunities.

Explore Campus Life

EXPLORE THE CAMPUS

You will find everything you need to live comfortably on campus.

WHAT'S INCLUDED?

Western's residence halls are all equipped with special facilities to help you live a healthy, happy, and productive life. Your accommodation will includes areas to cook, relax, and study, as well as maintenance and security staff. These facilities include:

  • 24-hour security
  • Front desk
  • Laundry facilities
  • Community kitchens
  • Study areas
  • Computer lab
  • TV lounge
  • Piano
  • Game room
  • Bike storage
  • Limited permit parking

YOUR ROOM YOUR WAY

When you arrive, your room will be your canvas, a blank slate where you can show off your interests and personality. You might want to bring a few favorite items from home, but many of the things you will need for your room are available from nearby shops. You can make your room feel comfortable by hanging posters on the wall, or pictures of friends and the fun things you do at Western.

Bed sheets, pillows, towels and toiletries can be easily found in Bellingham, as well as trinkets and unique decor from local shops downtown. Your room will come partially furnished with:

  • Extra-long twin bed
  • Computer desk and chair
  • Clothing storage
  • Wireless Internet
  • Digital cable TV service

DINING

Western has a variety of dining options including residential dining commons, Subway, Starbucks, and small stores to pick up food between your classes. Each of the three housing communities on campus has a dining commons that serve 36 all-you-can-eat meals per week. You can enjoy buffet-style dining with Wi-Fi at:

  • Viking Commons (North Campus)
  • Ridgeway Commons (Ridgeway Complex)
  • Fairhaven Commons (South Campus).

Your student ID card lets you pay for meals, which include breakfast, lunch, light lunch, dinner, late night and weekend brunch. The commons are open 12-15 hours per day, giving you the flexibility to eat when it suits your busy schedule.

SUSTAINABILITY

Western's University Dining Services is committed to sustainability and zero-waste initiatives. Food is sourced from regional partners and local farmers whenever possible, and active food composting significantly reduces the amount of unnecessary waste.

Students on a boat at sunset

BEFORE YOU ARRIVE

You will be welcomed into an active community from your first day on campus. Find out what to expect when you arrive and your first week.

New Student Information