Moving to a new country for college is exciting, but figuring out where you’ll live, how you’ll get around, and what to bring can feel like a lot to manage.
At Atlas Athens, we’re here to make settling into your new routine a little easier. Our fully furnished student apartments in Athens, GA, offer modern living spaces, study-friendly amenities, transportation options, and opportunities to connect with other residents.
Whether you’re arriving in the United States for the first time or returning to the University of Georgia (UGA) for another semester, having a comfortable place to call home can make all the difference. From preparing for move-in to discovering your favorite places around Athens, here’s what to know about starting your next chapter.
What Does Atlas Athens Offer International Students?
Atlas Athens offers fully furnished student apartments, an online housing application, private shuttle service, and community amenities designed to support students attending the University of Georgia.
Our apartments feature in-unit washers and dryers, stainless steel appliances, quartz countertops, and a 55-inch living room TV. Residents also have access to private study lounges, a tech lounge with free printing, high-speed Wi-Fi, a coffee bar, a 24/7 fitness center, and a resort-style pool and hot tub.
Beyond your apartment, our U Life Program hosts social gatherings, networking opportunities, and academic events that give residents more ways to meet people and get involved.
Together, these features help you establish a comfortable routine while getting familiar with university life in Athens.
Fully Furnished Apartments Make Moving Internationally Easier
When you’re moving across the world, bringing furniture probably isn’t at the top of your packing list. Fortunately, you won’t have to start your apartment search by figuring out how to furnish an empty space.
Our fully furnished apartments include modern interiors with hardwood-style flooring, quartz countertops, stainless steel appliances, and a 55-inch TV in the living room. Each apartment also includes an in-unit washer and dryer, making it easier to take care of laundry whenever it fits your schedule.
Having these essentials already in place means less time shopping for large household items and more time settling into your new surroundings.
Before arriving, we recommend contacting our leasing team to confirm the furniture included with your selected floor plan, along with any additional household items you’ll need to purchase.
Can International Students Apply for Atlas Athens Housing Online?
Yes! Atlas Athens offers an online apartment application that allows prospective residents to begin the leasing process before arriving in Athens.
You can explore available floor plans, create an account through our online portal, begin your application, and return to review your progress or check your application status.
For international students, it’s important to understand rental requirements before applying. If you don’t have a U.S. Social Security number, American credit history, or a domestic guarantor, contact our leasing team to discuss the documentation and qualifications required for your situation.
You’ll also want to review your lease dates, rental rates, applicable fees, and payment requirements before making a decision.
Starting the process early gives you more time to ask questions, gather documents, and coordinate housing arrangements with your university schedule.
Getting Around Athens and the UGA Campus
Understanding transportation is an important part of choosing UGA off-campus housing, especially if you’re arriving without a personal vehicle.
Atlas Athens is located at 2400 Lexington Road in Athens, Georgia. Our community operates a private shuttle service, giving residents an additional transportation option. Contact our leasing team to confirm current shuttle destinations, pickup locations, and operating schedules.
Once you’re on campus, UGA operates its own bus system with routes serving academic buildings and other university destinations. Campus Transit is free for passengers, making it a useful resource for getting familiar with the university.
Athens Transit also provides public bus service throughout the city, and UGA students can ride with a valid university student ID.
Before your first week of classes, take some time to learn the routes you’ll use most often. Understanding where to board, when buses operate, and how to reach your academic buildings can help make the start of the semester feel more manageable.
What Should International Students Bring to Athens, Georgia?
One of the biggest advantages of furnished housing is being able to pack lighter. With your apartment’s major furnishings already provided, you can focus on personal belongings and the essentials you’ll need when you arrive.
Here’s a packing checklist to help you get started:
- Important documents: Keep your passport, visa, Form I-20 or DS-2019 (if applicable), university admission documents, and other important travel paperwork in your carry-on luggage.
- Clothing for Georgia weather: Athens has warm summers, cooler winters, and rainy days throughout the year. Pack breathable clothing, comfortable walking shoes, a jacket, and rain gear.
- Electronics: Bring your laptop, phone, chargers, and appropriate adapters for U.S. electrical outlets. Make sure your electronics are compatible with U.S. voltage.
- Bedroom and bathroom essentials: Plan to purchase bedding, pillows, towels, toiletries, and other personal items after confirming what’s provided in your apartment.
- Kitchen supplies: Consider cookware, plates, utensils, food storage containers, and any specialty ingredients that might be difficult to find locally.
- Medications and medical records: Bring necessary medications in accordance with U.S. travel regulations, along with relevant prescriptions and immunization documentation.
You don’t have to fit every household item into your suitcase. Many everyday essentials can be purchased once you arrive in Athens.
Before booking your flight, confirm your lease start date, move-in instructions, and transportation arrangements. Students arriving through Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport can research airport shuttle services and other transportation options to Athens.
Learning a New City and Finding Your Routine
Moving to Athens means more than finding your way to class. It’s also about getting comfortable with a new environment, discovering local favorites, and creating a routine that feels like yours.
Start with the basics. Figure out where you’ll shop for groceries, pick up prescriptions, grab coffee, and spend time studying outside your apartment. Exploring a little at a time can help you become more comfortable navigating the city.
Athens has a personality of its own, with local restaurants, independent shops, live music, and a strong connection to UGA traditions. Spend an afternoon exploring downtown Athens, discover a new cafe, or enjoy the outdoors at the State Botanical Garden of Georgia.
You can also get involved through student organizations, cultural programs, and campus activities. UGA’s Global Student Engagement programs provide opportunities for international students to build connections and learn more about life in the United States.
There’s no need to figure everything out immediately. Finding a few familiar places and building a weekly routine is a good way to start feeling at home.
Meet New People and Build Your Routine at Atlas Athens
Finding your community is an important part of adjusting to life in a new country.
At Atlas Athens, our U Life Program brings residents together through social events, networking opportunities, and academic activities. Whether you’re looking to meet new people or participate in something outside your usual routine, these events offer ways to connect with fellow residents.
Our shared amenities also give you opportunities to spend time outside your apartment. Meet friends in the clubhouse and gaming areas, get together by the resort-style pool, or enjoy some fresh air along our mile-long walking trail.
When it’s time to focus, our private study lounges, tech lounge with free printing, and coffee bar provide spaces to work through assignments and prepare for exams.
Having places to study, relax, exercise, and socialize within your residential community can help you create a balanced routine throughout the semester.
International Student Resources at the University of Georgia
In addition to preparing your housing arrangements, make sure you’ve reviewed UGA’s international student arrival requirements.
The university’s Office of Global Engagement provides immigration guidance and pre-arrival resources for students studying in the United States. International students should follow the university’s instructions regarding immigration documentation, orientation, and required arrival procedures.
UGA’s Global Student Engagement programs also offer international student orientation, cultural activities, and resources to help students adjust to university life. These resources can help you understand important academic requirements, meet other international students, and learn more about the Athens community.
Remember that housing applications and university immigration requirements are separate processes, so make sure you’ve completed the necessary steps for both.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Atlas Athens apartments fully furnished?
Yes! Our apartments come fully furnished and feature stainless steel appliances, an in-unit washer and dryer, quartz countertops, and a 55-inch living room TV. Contact our leasing team for a detailed furniture inventory for your preferred floor plan.
Can I apply for an apartment before arriving in the United States?
Yes. Atlas Athens offers an online application portal where you can create an account, begin an application, save your progress, and check your application status. International applicants should confirm any additional documentation or qualification requirements with our leasing team before applying.
Do international students need a U.S. Social Security number or guarantor to lease an apartment?
Our leasing team can explain the current identification, screening, and guarantor requirements for international applicants. We recommend reaching out before submitting an application if you don’t have a U.S. Social Security number, domestic credit history, or U.S.-based guarantor.
Does Atlas Athens offer transportation for residents?
Yes! Atlas Athens offers private shuttle service for residents. Contact our leasing team for current destinations, pickup locations, and operating schedules. UGA also operates campus buses, and Athens Transit provides public transportation options throughout the city.
Are there opportunities to meet other students at Atlas Athens?
Yes. Our U Life Program organizes social events, networking opportunities, and academic activities for residents. You’ll also find shared spaces such as our clubhouse, gaming areas, fitness center, and pool where you can enjoy time with friends and neighbors.
Do I have to be a UGA student to live at Atlas Athens?
No. While Atlas Athens is designed with university students in mind, our community is open to applicants who meet our rental criteria and screening requirements. Contact our leasing team to learn more about eligibility and available floor plans.
Start Your UGA Experience at Atlas Athens
Studying abroad is a chance to discover a new city, meet new people, and create experiences you’ll carry long after graduation. Finding a place where you feel comfortable is an important part of that journey.
At Atlas Athens, our furnished apartments combine modern interiors, study spaces, recreational amenities, and opportunities to connect with other residents. If you’re comparing apartments near UGA, explore how our community can fit your college experience and everyday routine.
Ready to make Athens your new home? Explore our floor plans, start your online application, or contact our leasing team to learn more about living at Atlas Athens.
