| COUNTRY
COSTS TIPS & REPORTS ON COST OF TRAVEL |
ARGENTINA
|
Cost
of travel to Argentina higher than expected (Scale:
1=No, 2=Somewhat, 3=Yes)--1.35 (13
reports)
|
TRAVEL
IN COUNTRY: • Budget
for travel since there is so much to
see outside Buenos Aires. •
When arriving at airport (Buenos Aires),
you are far away from downtown. A taxi
is about 50-60 pesos to center of town.
HOUSING AND MEALS: • I
could have rented an apartment for
much less. • Everything was priced
fairly, although other students find
their own housing with families that
host students independently for less
cost (but may not wise for the first
time traveler). • Very
cheap to eat in Argentina.
BANKING & EXCHANGE RATES: Although
the peso is 3:1, it adds up.
COMMUNICATION: • Buy
a phone card when you arrive;
the one I bought on-line did
not work. • Call cards
are very cheap, but buy them
in Buenos Aires.
MISCELLANEOUS: Cordoba
is more affordable than Buenos Aires
interms of every day purchase of items
and instructional costs.
|
AUSTRALIA
|
Cost
of travel to Australia higher than expected
(Scale: 1=No, 2=Somewhat, 3=Yes)--1.26 (23
reports) |
TRAVEL
IN COUNTRY: •
Travel will cost a lot when you re
paying for transport, lodging, and
meals. • I
did a lot of traveling...fees weren't
expected and my ticket was more expensive
since it was open ended.
HOUSING AND MEALS: •
Food at Newcastle cost a little more,
and drinks cost a lot more.• On-campus
housing expensive to off campus. Use
Swinburne web link to look for housing. • Because
I moved out of Unicentral, I lost my
bond. If I were to do it different,
I would have only signed up for 1st
semester there. • ...other housing
options (apartments, houses) are much
cheaper than the one's provided. • ...everything
at least 3 times more expensive than
in the states, especially food. • Food
expensive because it is imported.
MISCELLANEOUS: Pre
departure Guide provided by Australia
Education International. • A
lot is charged for printing and the
apartments charge for everything.
|
AUSTRIA
|
Cost
of travel to Austria higher than expected
(Scale: 1=No, 2=Somewhat, 3=Yes)--1.50 (6
reports)
|
HOUSING AND MEALS: • Vienna
is expensive, but a grocery such as
Billa has cheap sandwiches and other
items. •... the three main
food stores are Billa, Eurospar,
and the
Mondo. The billa and Mondo have
less selection, but better prices,
the
Eurospar is more expensive, but
has more selection.
Bring bags with you since they
charge for them. Pasta is cheap
and easy
to make. Beer and chocolate are
the cheapest
things to buy. Water is expensive
to buy in the more touristy parts
of Austria
(3 Euros, or 4-5 U.S.)
MISCELLANEOUS: • Laundry
can cost up to $10 U.S. per load. |
BELIZE
|
Cost
of travel to Belize higher than expected (Scale:
1=No, 2=Somewhat, 3=Yes)--1.40 (5reports)
|
TRAVEL
IN COUNTRY: • Don't
rent a car which costs too much. • Many
excursions are geared for tourists,
sometimes difficult to arrange transportation.
• Traveling in Belize is more expensive
than other
Central American countries. A trip
to the Cayes for the weekend cost about
$150 U.S. for lodging, meals, and souvenirs.
• There are always cheaper ways when
traveling
because of hostels.
HOUSING AND MEALS: • Monthly
rent was only $150 U.S. and that included
2 meals. • A
filling meal of rice and beans, with
stew chicken, coleslaw, potato salad
and fried plantain costs from $3-6
U.S. A nice serving of ceviche is $5-6
U.S. • Groceries are very expensive.
|
BOLIVIA
|
Cost
of travel to Bolivia higher than expected (Scale:
1=No, 2=Somewhat, 3=Yes)-- (0
reports)
|
NO
REPORTS
|
BRAZIL
|
Cost
of travel to Brazil higher than expected (Scale:
1=No, 2=Somewhat, 3=Yes)--1.28 (25
reports)
|
TRAVEL
IN COUNTRY: • Transportation
was a little expensive since you have
to take a taxi at night (Rio).
|
|
|
Cost
of travel to Canada higher than expected (Scale:
1=No, 2=Somewhat, 3=Yes)--1.50 (8
reports)
|
TRAVEL
IN COUNTRY: • Trip
to mountains was expensive.
HOUSING AND MEALS: • Food
is pricey. • Didn't
have access to store, so spend more
money eating out.
|
| CHILE |
Cost
of travel to Chile higher than expected (Scale:
1=No, 2=Somewhat, 3=Yes)--1.25 (8
reports) |
MISCELLANEOUS: • conserve
money by using public transportation
and buying some groceries. • More
expensive compared with other South
American countries. Plan on buying
gifts in other countries if possible.
|
| CHINA |
Cost
of travel to China higher than expected (Scale:
1=No, 2=Somewhat, 3=Yes)--1.25 (8
reports) |
TRAVEL
IN COUNTRY: • Travel,
while cheap, was a little more expensive
than I heard.
|
| COSTA
RICA |
Cost
of travel to Costa Rica higher than expected
(Scale: 1=No, 2=Somewhat, 3=Yes)--1.33 (175reports) |
TRAVEL
TO COUNTRY: *Student
visa not required to travel to Costa Rica for
short-term language study. Instead you will
obtain a tourist stamp at port of entry. • The
plane ticket was a little expensive.
TRAVEL
IN COUNTRY: • Budget
for weekend excursion, which cost $165-$190.
Excursions can be expensive, but worth
it. Hard to say no to a sunset cruise
to turtle island. Bring extra money. • If
you are on a budget, take the public
buses to get around (from site to site,
etc.). . • Looking
back, excursion costs were average,
but when you’re there, compared
to everything else, it seems like a
lot. • With
an independent company you could get
much more for your $. • Travel
and excursions through institute somewhat
expensive (compared to local buses);
however, it's hassle free when you
consider the class schedules, traveling
with luggage, etc.
HOUSING AND MEALS: • Food
more expensive in Monte Verde. • Housing
was an extra $20 because I arrived
on a Saturday, but when I left (Sat.)
I was asked to leave my house a night
early and had to stay with a family
member. • I had to pay for a
few extra nights that I thought were
included. • Food
in tourist areas was quite expensive.
BANKING & EXCHANGE RATES: • Traveler's
checks not widely accepted.
|
| ECUADOR |
Cost
of travel to Ecuador higher than expected (Scale:
1=No, 2=Somewhat, 3=Yes)--2.50 (12
reports) |
TRAVEL
IN COUNTRY: • While
taxis are only $3 to about anywhere,
buses are cheaper and will save you
money. •
Five hour bus ride was $5/
HOUSING AND MEALS: • Most
expensive meals under $10.
COMMUNICATION: • You
have to pay to use internet.
MISCELLANEOUS: •
Came back with tons of souvenirs and
stay well within budget.
|
| FINLAND |
Cost
of travel to Finland higher than expected (Scale:
1=No, 2=Somewhat, 3=Yes)--150 (4
reports) |
TRAVEL
IN COUNTRY: • Study
trips were more expensive than advertised
but generally not bad.
HOST INSTITUTION FEES: • Some
of the fees we paid were not fully
explained.
HOUSING AND MEALS: •
Didn't grasp how expensive food would
be in Finland. • They don't have fast
food restaurants so
cooking own meals is suggested. Eating
in cafeteria at school also cost effective.
MISCELLANEOUS: • While
ISEP exchange stipend provided will
cover basic cost of housing and food,
travel, but dining out and buying clothes
can prove costly for exchange students.
|
| FRANCE |
Cost
of travel to France higher than expected (Scale:
1=No, 2=Somewhat, 3=Yes)--1.56 (25
reports) |
HOUSING AND MEALS: • Money
just seemed to not go as far, especially
with setting up a residence. • Electricity
is paid separately and is expensive. • Be
prepared to pay 3 months rent in advance. Great,
but expensive in Lyon. •
Tempting to eat at cafes but costs
add up quickly. Buying smack such as
granola bars cheaper, but nice once
in a while to experience cafes.
BANKING & EXCHANGE RATES: • Rates
went up for program due to decrease
in value of dollar against Euro.
MISCELLANEOUS: Required
to purchase French Social Security
Insurance, about 200 Euros, even though
had NMSU required insurance.
|
| GERMANY (BACK
TO TOP) |
Cost
of travel to Germany higher than expected (Scale:
1=No, 2=Somewhat, 3=Yes)--1.43 (23reports) |
|
TRAVEL
IN COUNTRY: • trains
are quite expensive.
HOUSING AND MEALS: • Food
is expensive in Germany, even at the
grocery store.
BANKING & EXCHANGE RATES: • EURO
changed rapidly making everything more
expensive.
MISCELLANEOUS: • Common
over-the-shelf medicines are 4 to 5
times more expensive.
|
| GHANA |
Cost
of travel to Ghana higher than expected (Scale:
1=No, 2=Somewhat, 3=Yes)--3.00 (1
report) |
| NO
REPORTS |
| GUATEMALA |
Cost
of travel to Guatemala higher than expected (Scale:
1=No, 2=Somewhat, 3=Yes)--1.15 (20
reports) |
HOST INSTITUTION FEES: • Some
institutions raise their tuition for
summer sessions, so check in advance. • The
excursion I was led to believe would
be paid at least partially by my tuition
but I found that I was expected to
pay for them in full.
BANKING & EXCHANGE RATES: • While
cheap, abrupt price fluctuations do
happen. •
Bring a debit/credit card so you can
take money out from your account as
needed.
OTHER: • Everything
is cheap, but budget for the extras
you want such as gifts.
|
| INDIA |
Cost
of travel to India higher than expected (Scale:
1=No, 2=Somewhat, 3=Yes)--1.50 (2
reports) |
| HOUSING AND MEALS: • Food
and other items very cheap except for
more western type things in malls and
fast food places. |
| IRELAND |
Cost
of travel to Ireland higher than expected (Scale:
1=No, 2=Somewhat, 3=Yes)--3.00 (1
report) |
NO
REPORTS
|
| ITALY |
Cost
of travel to Italy higher than expected (Scale:
1=No, 2=Somewhat, 3=Yes)--1.00 (5
reports) |
| NO
REPORTS |
| JAPAN (BACK
TO TOP) |
Cost
of travel to Japan higher than expected (Scale:
1=No, 2=Somewhat, 3=Yes)--1.47 (17
reports) |
TRAVEL
IN COUNTRY: • Transportation
costs are very high in Japan. When trying
to budget for the program, overestimate
the cost for transportation.
HOST INSTITUTION FEES: • Make
sure to know if fees and deposits are
required before receiving stipends.
HOUSING AND MEALS: • Unexpected
bills for water and electricity (not
covered in exchange allowance). • Even
soft drinks are expensive in restaurants
($5).
MISCELLANEOUS: • Dating
was expensive. • Clothing
costs are about 3 times more expensive
than the U.S. • Read that Tokyo is expensive
to live in, but one can get by with the
same amount as money spent in the U.S.
if they are wise. |
| KOREA |
Cost
of travel to Korea higher than expected (Scale:
1=No, 2=Somewhat, 3=Yes)--1.67 (3
reports) |
HOST
INSTITUTION FEES: • Some
Korea U fees unexpected, such as for ID cards
and advisement documents.
HOUSING
AND MEALS: • Korea
U housing stipend did not cover a double room,
only a triple room. |
| MALTA |
Cost
of travel to Malta higher than expected (Scale:
1=No, 2=Somewhat, 3=Yes)--1.50 (4
reports) |
TRAVEL
TO COUNTRY: •
TRAVEL
IN COUNTRY: • Need
to anticipate the costs of flying off
the island which can be expensive. |
| MEXICO (BACK
TO TOP) |
Cost
of travel to Mexico higher than expected (Scale:
1=No, 2=Somewhat, 3=Yes)--1.23 (254
reports) |
TRAVEL
TO COUNTRY: • The
flight was expensive. • Plane
tickets are expensive if not bought at least
1 month prior. •
Went to Mexico City for $99 from Ciudad Júarez,
but cost $365 from Mexico city to El Paso. •
Need to know what actual costs for bus is.
TRAVEL
IN COUNTRY: The
taxis were expensive, especially as
Americans are over charged. . • Cost
reasonable, but some cost more. Need
to budget wisely for these extra expenses. • For
the excursions I wish that we would
have been told all of the different
places we would have been able to go
and how much they cost.• Excursions
with the schools cost more than if
we went on our own to a site and they
were extra (not included in tuition).
HOUSING AND MEALS: • Eating
out cost about the same as the U.S.
and I figured it would be cheaper. • Regular
restaurants are more expensive than
taquerilla on the street, the "sit
down" restaurants charge $3 per
person for just occupying that seat
and using the silverware, its called
the "cubierto." • Eat
with host family to cut down on costs. •• Picky
eaters need to be prepared to go to
the market for extra food, which costs
more. • Turkish
markets are much cheaper.
BANKING & EXCHANGE
RATES: • ATM’s
cost $2.50 per transaction.
MISCELLANEOUS: MEXICO
NOT AS CHEAP AS WE THOUGHT.• shipping
and faxing expensive. • Silver
is cheap, so take a lot of money if
you plan on buying presents. • take
lots of extra $ if you plan on going
clubbing. • May
be extra cost for student visa processing
in country. • In summer in Zacatecas
many cultural programs, such as opera,
for $2.50 with Fenix ID card. Many
free outdoor activities, too.
|
| NETHERLANDS |
Cost
of travel to Netherlands higher than expected
(Scale: 1=No, 2=Somewhat, 3=Yes)--1.25 (8reports) |
HOUSING AND MEALS: • Housing
is high for a shared room.
MISCELLANEOUS: • Residency
permit can cost 430 euros. • They
gave 5 month stipend when there for 6
months, but first stipend combined with
last month so hard to budget. |
| NEW
ZEALAND |
Cost
of travel to New Zealand higher than expected
(Scale: 1=No, 2=Somewhat, 3=Yes)--2.00 (3
reports) |
MISCELLANEOUS: Food,
clothing, shoes and other items more expensive
there.
|
| NICARAGUA |
Cost
of travel to Nicaragua higher than expected
(Scale: 1=No, 2=Somewhat, 3=Yes)--1.00 (1
report) |
| NO
REPORTS |
| PANAMA |
Cost
of travel to Panama higher than expected (Scale:
1=No, 2=Somewhat, 3=Yes)--3.00 (1
report) |
| NO
REPORTS |
| PERU |
Cost
of travel to Peru higher than expected (Scale:
1=No, 2=Somewhat, 3=Yes)--1.60 (5
reports) |
MISCELLANEOUS: Remember
there is a $25 airport exit fee. •
Visiting Machu Picchu is expensive, but
other trips, such as to Lake Titicaca
are very cheap.
|
| RUSSIA |
Cost
of travel to Russia higher than expected (Scale:
1=No, 2=Somewhat, 3=Yes)--2.00 (2
reports) |
| NO
REPORTS |
| SOUTH
AFRICA |
Cost
of travel to South Africa higher than expected
(Scale: 1=No, 2=Somewhat, 3=Yes)--2.00 (1
report) |
| NO
REPORTS |
| SPAIN (BACK
TO TOP) |
Cost
of travel to Spain higher than expected (Scale:
1=No, 2=Somewhat, 3=Yes)--1.47 (134
reports) |
TRAVEL
TO COUNTRY: • Airfare
of $1,000 higher than expected.
TRAVEL
IN COUNTRY: Excursions
cost 50 euros, and food was extra. •
Bus travel cheaper than train travel.
HOUSING AND MEALS:Thought
I could find apartment for 150 Euros,
but could only find one for 250 Euros
in Sevilla. Thought I could also eat
in apartment for lunch, but schedule
required me to eat on campus (under
5Euros per meal) •
Cooking rather than eating out cheaper. • I
stayed in a dorm for convenience and
signed a contract for the year, but
found out it was very very overpriced. • Living
with a host family is a little high
compared to renting an apartment, but
you do get meals, laundry, no cleaning,
etc. • Arranged
Housing more expensive--could have
rented a flat for less than $450. • Host
family/food somewhat more costly, but
the families help you. • We
didn’t really get two meals so
I had to eat out when I expected only
to eat with my family. • I was
not aware we would not receive dinner
so that got a little expensive. • Cheaper
to buy food and water at grocery stores. • Cost
a lot more to eat out. • Anticipate
paying for things that normally are
free at your own home.
BANKING & EXCHANGE RATES: •
Value
of US dollar has decreased dramatically.•
Very expensive to do international
transactions. Withdraw large amounts
of cash at a time-costs about $8 per
transaction. • Didn't
realize dollar would not be as much
as the Euro. • Bank
accounts have a charge each time you
take out money.
MISCELLANEOUS: • They
charged for laundry in my host
family.• Toiletries
are a lot more expensive such
as shampoos and lotions and
variety is limited. Clothes
are cheap and awesome.
|
| SWEDEN |
Cost
of travel to Sweden higher than expected (Scale:
1=No, 2=Somewhat, 3=Yes)--1.50 (6
reports) |
| MISCELLANEOUS: • Stockholm
is the 8th most expensive city in the
world. |
| SWITZERLAND |
Cost
of travel to Switzerland higher than expected
(Scale: 1=No, 2=Somewhat, 3=Yes)--1.00 (3
reports) |
BANKING & EXCHANGE RATES: • Cannot
always use credit card, so have cash.
|
| THAILAND |
Cost
of travel to Thailand higher than expected
(Scale: 1=No, 2=Somewhat, 3=Yes)--2.00 (1
report) |
| NO
REPORTS: |
| UK (BACK
TO TOP) |
Cost
of travel to UK higher than expected
(Scale: 1=No, 2=Somewhat, 3=Yes)--1.46 (37
reports) |
TRAVEL
TO COUNTRY: Helpful
UK information from the British
Council:
TRAVEL
IN COUNTRY: In
London take plenty of money so you can
get back to college if underground is down
or has stopped running.
HOUSING AND MEALS: • Eating
out, which you do all the time in the
London program, is expensive. • Even
going to the grocery store and eating
in the dorm room was expensive.
BANKING & EXCHANGE RATES: • I
was not expecting the exchange of US$
to GB to be so bad!
MISCELLANEOUS: • Lots
of free museums, but shows are expensive. |
|
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