Internat

Internat is a term used in several European languages to describe a residential facility that is part of an educational institution or an independent boarding establishment where students live during the school term. The defining feature is that students study on site and reside there under supervision, rather than commuting from home.

Facilities and routines typically include dormitory-style sleeping quarters, meals prepared on campus, study spaces, and access to staff who supervise daily life and provide tutoring or guidance. Houses or wings are often organized by age or grade, with rules, curfews, and scheduled activities in afternoons and evenings. Residents may participate in sports, clubs, and voluntary service, as part of the educational program.

Purposes and scope: Internats were historically used to enable students from distant or rural areas to attend schools, to provide a structured environment for younger pupils, or to house students in specialized programs. They are found in primary, secondary, and occasionally post-secondary contexts in many European countries.

Governance and regulation: Internats are usually operated by the school or by a dedicated boarding institution and are subject to education and welfare regulations. Staffing typically includes resident tutors or houseparents, administrative staff, and arrangements for meals, security, health care, and pastoral care. Fees are charged by the institution, with some public or charitable programs offering subsidies.

Today, the use of internats varies by country and institution. In some systems they remain a central part of access to schooling, while in others they have declined in favor of day schools and other forms of student accommodation.