So you’re thinking about studying abroad? Not sure if you can afford it?
I’m here to tell you that studying abroad is actually much cheaper than you think.
First, let me preface by saying that studying abroad is an investment… An investment in yourself.
My previous blog post, How Studying Abroad Changed My Life, goes into more detail on this.
Second, it doesn’t cost tens of thousands to spend a semester or two abroad.
Most study abroad programs actually cost the exact same as it would cost to study at your home university (not counting any additional living expenses/traveling you decide to do while you’re abroad).
For my semester abroad, I actually paid my tuition directly to my home university, and they handled all the processing of those funds over to my international university.
Planning
Now, the cost of traveling can vary greatly from one country to the next… This is where planning comes in.
I planned my trip a year in advance.
This allowed me to get a phenomenal deal on my plane tickets.
The cost of living can also vary greatly depending on what country you study abroad in. Planning my trip ahead of time provided me with the opportunity to research which suburbs would be the most affordable to live in.
If you are thinking about studying abroad, take the time to speak with the Cashier’s Office at your home university. Most schools offer financial aid to exchange students in the form of scholarships, grants, or loans.
I also spoke with my credit card provider to get set up with an international credit card. This allowed me to avoid fees at the ATM, grocery stores, etc.
Public Transportation
I came to learn very quickly that Ubers and Taxis are extremely overpriced, and not sustainable in the long run.
I opted for public transportation, instead, in the form of city buses and the metro.
(For all my English travelers out there- StageCoach actually offers a student bus pass discount, which saved me nearly £500 altogether!)
My biggest money saving tip is to just do your own research! You never know what hidden gems you may find.
Daily Life
When you get out on your own, you start to realize that living can get very expensive.
Roommates can help cut some of those costs in half.
Choosing to live with a friend, classmate, or coworker while studying abroad can help you to save big on rent and utilities every month.
And if you have a kitchen in your rented space, even better!
It’s possible to save hundreds of dollars every week by choosing to cook at home instead of eating out.
Weekend Shenanigans
Now let’s be honest.
You’re studying abroad because you like to travel. So you’re probably going to want to take spontaneous trips, right?
If this is the case, you’ll want to get signed up for price alerts to get notified about cheap flights.
My personal favorite resources for this are:
Another way you can save is by staying in hostels or micro-hotels, so that you aren’t breaking your wallet on accommodation.
There are plenty of other ways that you can be money-cautious while traveling….
Opt for bike rentals to save on taxi fares.
Pack lunches from home instead of spending on airport meals.
Be prepared with cash to avoid unexpected ATM fees.
Budget Accordingly
Other than that, it is up to you to watch your spendings and budget accordingly.
I like to budget out each of my trips ahead of time. You can find the exact travel budget planner that I use here.
During my study abroad experience, I had the opportunity to travel to 7 countries in 5 months.
I plan to post tips/advice from every destination I’ve ever been. In hopes that I can inspire you to hit the open road!
(Plus it’s also nice to reminisce on all my past adventures).
So stay tuned for more resources, tips, and budget travel advice!
Thanks for coming on this journey with me!
Enlightened Escape 