Boarding Program

Residence Life

The APU boarding community is a home away from home, usually for students whose parents live outside Ho Chi Minh City, although it is not uncommon for a Ho Chi Minh City family to enroll their child into our boarding program. Living in the dorms is a great way to make new friends and learn how to become independent while living in a supportive and encouraging environment.

We strive to create a home-like atmosphere in each dorm so that students feel comfortable, secure and well cared for. Siblings live together in the same dorm. We offer many family-bonding opportunities which helps students connect with one another and feel a sense of belonging, which includes birthday parties, special outings, camping activities, and sports.

When parents send their children to boarding at APU, we want to establish and maintain a strong, close relationship with them. We place a high priority on communication with parents and view ourselves as partners in the process of caring for their children. To stay in touch, the Student Care Team writes weekly letters to parents and sends pictures of the various activities in which students are involved.

Dorm Parents and Staff

APU’s boarding program is home to many boarding students from a wide variety of backgrounds. The dormitories are a blend of younger and older students, creating a family atmosphere. Each dorm family enjoys a wide variety of activities together, such as shopping, exercising, playing sports, enjoying family outings and meals out together.

Each dormitory consists of a dorm parent couple, a dorm assistant, an on call nurse, a residence supervisor and round the clock security. The enthusiastic and nurturing dorm parents are committed to making each student’s stay at APU a positive and enriching experience.

The dorm parents are committed to nurturing and meeting the daily needs of dorm students. They plan a range of activities during the week, sometimes together as a dorm family, sometimes with the boys and girls in separate groups. They serve after school snacks and an extra special homemade treat for the kids to enjoy during their weekly dorm meeting. They also arrange special outings as well as service projects in the local community for students to enjoy together.

Dorm Facilities

APU International School has a dormitory for girls and a separate dormitory for boys. Both residence halls are located within a 5 minute walking distance from campus.

All dorms have a lounge and kitchen area for students to socialize, do homework or make snacks. Each dorm bedroom houses either one or two boarders. Each bedroom is furnished with queen sized beds, dressers, wardrobes, end tables and desks. The APU Student Life team works hard to make each dorm feel homey, secure and comfortable for our students.

Typical Dorm Schedule

Each school day begins with an early morning wake-up and exercise routine. Students are served a breakfast before leaving campus. They are responsible for picking up their own laundry and tidying up their own rooms.

  • 7:00 AM: Early morning wakeup and jogging around the area.
  • 8:15 AM: School starts
  • 3:35 PM: After school, students participate in one of the many after school activities on campus.
  • 5:00 PM: Students return to their dorms for snacks and to re-connect with their dorm parents. If they did not stay on campus for after school activities, the dorm parents will usually have the afternoon planned with a variety of activities, including sports, drama, tutoring and homework sessions.
  • 6:00 PM: Dinner is served in the cafeteria each evening
  • 7:30 to 9:00 PM: Evening studying is required, and tutoring is available. Students can use the dorms, library or computer labs.
  • 9:00 PM: at the end of study time, students gather in their dorms, hold a weekly dorm meeting, or have free time with their dorm brother or dorm sister.
  • 9:00 PM: Bedtime for younger students is 9:00.
  • 10:00 PM: High School students must head to bed by 10 PM
  • Weekend bedtimes for older students are midnight on Fridays and 11 PM on Saturdays.

Weekend activities include trips to the mall, going to the movies, going to the zoo, hiking, camping, community service or another activity coordinated by the dorm parents. Weekends are also time for students to work ahead on school projects. The computer lab is open on Saturdays during working hours to work on their homework.

How to Apply to the Boarding Program

Students who wish to enroll into the APU Boarding Program must complete a separate boarding application form.

Admission to boarding is separate step from admission to the school. Since there are very limited spots in our boarding facilities and high demand, it is encouraged to apply as early as possible.

Each application for admission to the dorms will be considered on a case by case basis. Students are accepted into the boarding program according to the following criteria:

  • Confirmed admittance to APU International School,
  • Completion of the necessary boarding application forms and procedures,
  • Space availability,
  • Potential for the students’ needs to be met by the current boarding staff,
  • The student’s potential to make a positive contribution to the boarding community

Please contact us for further details.