Summer housing for an American student

Hello, all! This is my first time posting here, but I've been looking through some of the forums and articles for a while.

Here's my deal: I'm an American college student of Indian background, and I'll be in Chennai for all of June and July doing research for my senior thesis. If all else fails, I could stay with family, but I'd really prefer to live more independently, and especially to live with/near people my own age who speak Tamil and can help me practice. I've been trying to research options online, but information is just not that plentiful or well-organized, so I thought I would ask here.

The main places I'll doing my (interview-based) research are located in Kilpauk, Anna Nagar West, Choolaimedu, and Mugappair West. Budget-wise...well, I don't really care as long as it's less than a hotel would be and I have A/C + basic facilities.

I'd appreciate any advice you can give me! I know it's kind of late in the game, but I've been focusing on other things, and I do always have a failsafe in case this doesn't pan out.

May be you could try out service apartments or even chk out airbnb for something suitable.