| BASIC
TIPS FOR MANAGING THE COST OF STUDYING ABROAD |
| PREPARE
BEFORE YOU GO |
Read
carefully the How
to Plan Section of the Study Abroad
Website which provides information on how to
budget and provides a worksheet for budget. Students
should have estimated all costs of study abroad
before they submit their application to a program.
|
| PLAN
FOR EXPECTED AND UNEXPECTED EXPENSES |
| |
GENERAL |
• Don't
be stingy--be willing to spend on something
extra at times--but don't be foolish with your
money. • always budget more than expected. • keep
track of expenditures. • Make sure you
have enough money to go and know your budget
and know how much you are able to spend. • Bring
extra $ for emergencies .... • Living
in a big city is just more expensive in a lot
of ways. • Avoid
touristy spots if you want to save money. Ask
host family or the school for advise and buy
a travel book. • Take a lot of extra
money and keep in different safe places. • ...have
U.S. dollars you can tap into if you have trouble
with stipend disbursement.• Be
prepared to pay the language school when you
get there. • If
you get sick be prepared to pay out of pocket
for doctor visit and medication. • Entertainment
costs add up quickly. • Do the free
things which are as much fun as those that
cost money. • cost of little things,
such as laundry, can add up. • If enrolling
in a direct program, be prepared to save for
the higher cost of the program.• Determine
if you will have to pay fordaily travel to
school by bus or to downtown by taxi and budget
accordingly.
|
| |
TRAVEL
TO SITE |
• Do
research before traveling, and start early
with planning. • flying has become more
expensive. • Buy tickets early
and get a student discount card. • ...open
ended tickets may be more expensive. • Flights
to South America are pricey • Waiting
too long to buy airline ticket may cost more
than what one could have paid. Buy in advance!!.
|
| |
TRAVEL
IN COUNTRY |
• Check
in advance if excursions are included
in program fees of language institutes.• Excursions
may be cheaper to do on your own. • There
is a lot to see in every country and
if you want to travel you have to be
prepared financially.
|
| |
HOST
INSTITUTION FEES |
• Make
sure to check what the advertised prices
are and make schools stick to them.
|
| |
HOUSING
& MEALS |
• Be
prepared for extra costs if arriving early
or departing late from program. If
renting, be prepared for advance deposits and
rent and some require students to pay for all
utilities. • housing ...usually cheaper
in Latin America than Europe. • ...other
housing options (apartments, houses) may be
cheaper than the one's provided or recommended
by program • Food
...usually cheaper in Latin America than in
Europe, Australia, and Asia. • Eating
out is often more expensive than expected. • Food
tends to be more expensive than expected, especially
in tourist areas. If staying with a host family,
find out how many meals and other amenities
(such as laundry) are included in the basic
price.
|
| |
BANKING
& EXCHANGE RATES |
• Banking
can be innonvenient and complicated in many countries
with many services expected in the U.S. not available.• Rates
may fluctuate widely, especially with the weakness
of the dollar compared to the Euro or Pound. • Watch
exchange rate for all currencies and try not
to think amounts spent are in terms of dollars. Don't
exchange money at airport but wait until you
can go to a bank.• ...
keep exchange rate in mind when using ATM. • Bank
accounts may have a charge each time you take
out money. • Be prepared for airport exit
fees. |
| |
COMMUNCATION |
| • Internet
is available for a fee in internet cafes, and
telephone calls to U.S. very expensive.• Some
students have been able to save money by renting
or buying cell phone service in the host country. |
|
Last
Updated:
Thursday, 18-Oct-2007 14:36:56 MDT |
