ORONO — Finding short-term housing in the Bangor-Orono area can be one of the biggest hurdles for college students accepting summer internships. The University of Maine is expanding a program designed to remove that barrier, benefiting both student interns and the local business community.
Now in its second year, UMaine’s Intern Housing program offers week-to-week, suite-style apartment housing at Doris Twitchell Allen Village for students 18 and older completing internships in the region. Housing begins in mid-May and runs through the week of Aug. 2.
Double rooms cost $154 per week — about $22 per day — with utilities, Wi-Fi and laundry included. Stays can range from one to 12 weeks.
Students can complete an online application at umaine.edu/housing/summer-intern-housing. Applications will be accepted until spaces are filled.
“This program was created to address one of the most challenging barriers for interns and employers in this area: affordable, short-term housing,” said Renee Raymond, UMaine’s associate director for auxiliary operations.
Last summer, 41 students working for 28 employers participated in the program. With interest growing, capacity has increased to about 100 students this year. Participation is not limited to UMaine students.
“It’s not just for our students,” Raymond said. “It’s for any eligible student coming to this area to complete an internship. We know housing is difficult to find, and we want to help remove that stress so students can focus on their professional growth.”
Each suite at Doris Twitchell Allen Village houses five to six students and includes a kitchenette with a cooktop, refrigerator, freezer, microwave and cabinets, along with a shared common area. Laundry facilities are located in the community center, and air conditioning is being added to each apartment suite this year.
For students, the financial predictability can make accepting an internship more feasible.
“One of the biggest stressors for interns is figuring out where they’re going to live for just a few weeks,” Raymond said. “With no long-term contract and all utilities included, it allows them to concentrate on learning and building skills.”
For employers, the program also serves as a recruitment tool in a competitive hiring market.
“It gives employers a resource they can share with prospective interns,” Raymond said. “For companies that pay for housing, it’s a low-cost option that can help sweeten the offer.”
