STUDYING ABROAD can be a life changing experience. There are many issues to
consider before departing, from homesickness to choosing your field of study.
Also key to a successful study abroad experience is to think about the issue of
money before you go.
Here are seven tips to keep your finances in order.
1. Ask
Tough Questions : Who is paying for your trip? How much can you afford to spend?
Will you have access to ATM cards, credit cards, or bank accounts while
overseas? Will you have insurance if you get sick or injured?
2. Research
Your Destination : Find out if your bank has partner banks overseas. Ask if they can
waive transaction fees for ATM cards or credit cards. Learn how much your
housing, transportation, tuition, textbooks, food, and entertainment are
expected to cost in your destination. Research the currency exchange rate, so
you won’t be caught off guard when a store-bought soda sets your back Rp.
60,000.
3. Create
a Wish List: When your trip is over and you’re back home,
what do you want to remember? Where would you want to have gone? What would you
like to have done? Plan ahead and create a wish list. Once you know what you
want to do, you can estimate how much it will cost you to do the things on your
list. As and added bonus, if you plan your trips ahead of time, you can get
better rates on airfare and transportation.
4. Calculate
You Daily Maximum : Find out how much you want to spend and how long you will be
overseas. Then, calculate your daily maximum. For example, if you wanted to
spend US$5,000 and are studying abroad for 100 days, your daily maximum would
be US$50. Whether that would be enough to cover food, transportation and
housing depends on you and your destination.
5. Cook
Your Own Meals : Because of their lower prices end greater quantites of food,
grocery stores and your best friend. For the some amount of money, you can
either get a small meal at a restaurant or a day’s worth of food at a grocery
store. Cooking food at your dorm or apartment frees up a lot of money for more
important things on your wish list. Plus, you might make a few friends sharing
home-cooked meals.
6. Track
Your Expenses : Every time you buy something, keep track of how much you spent.
You will be able to tell if you are living within your means, or if you need to
cut back in order to afford something special on your wish list. It is
important to note how much you spend as well as what you spend on.
7. Make Friends : Not only will your trip be more fun when your
make friends, but you might also save money. Consider staying with locals for
free through online networks like www.CouchSurfing.org.
You can also get reduced rates for groups, especially when it comes to hotels
and transportation.
Its is important to keep a
balance between being careful with your money and having fun. When it doubt,
refer back to your wish list. If it really is important for you, spend to money
and savor the experience. You can always cook a few meals and reject a few
invitation later, knowing that you have experienced something wonderful.
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