How to manage your finances while studying abroad? (2024)

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Studying abroad is undeniably thebest experience for students to get accustomed to different cultures, lifestyles, and to traverse through new lands and topographies. With an eye on reaching the next level in their career, today anyone with enough financial support or access to abroad education loans can get the opportunity to go for higher studies from a university of their choice.

Managing finances abroad can be a tricky task. However, you can educate yourself about responsibly managing your money early. After all, you would never want to drown yourself in debt and repayment issues.

Let’s discuss some of the top tips to manage your money while studying abroad.

Start planning in advance

The first and foremost tip to save funds for abroad is to look for the lowest education loan interest rate. The way to do this is to choose a loan scheme with collateral if possible. Other than that you can make a budgetary analysis through various financial tools available online which will provide you a basic idea of the expenses to plan accordingly. Studying abroad also includes the currency and with fluctuating rates, it is smart to compare the different forex rates available in the market.

Spend less once you’re there

During the first month when you are there, experiment with your food, conveyance, and other services to get a clear idea of how much the cost is for every need of yours. After one month, create a tentative budget including a buffer for emergency cases. Re-evaluate and resize the budget for the month. You can try cooking on your own. It will be a healthier option which will also save your money and you will not miss the flavors of home a lot. Pick an accommodation that is near to your college. It will not only save your time but will also cut down your travel time. Lyft and Ubers are nice options but can be expensive. Switch to public transport and if your room is in the vicinity, try cycling or walking.

Open an account in a local bank

With every use of a debit or credit card, an exchange fee or an international convenience fee is charged. It is a smart option to open a bank account in a local branch using documents such as your passport, local proof of address, and enrolment verification letter.

Look to earn while you learn

Saving money from your living expenses can manage your finances to a certain limit. To amp-up your finance management to the next level, you can look for other ways of income. If you are skilled at something or have a hidden talent, you can use it to earn pocket money. Indian students usually prefer taking part-time jobs such as research assistantship or teaching to earn extra income. Check your visa regulations first and look for income sources accordingly.

Consider the long-term approach

In general, you get a window of 5-7 years to repay your education loan. However, a better way out is to start paying it early. Prepaying the interest amount while studying can save you a lot of money in terms of total repayment made after the completion of tenure. A way to do it is by saving a portion of your part-time earnings. In a matter of time, these savings will form a sum that you can use to prepay your loan.

An opportunity to pursue abroad studies should be a euphoric experience and must not let the financial strain ruin your journey. To save money on an abroad education loan, you can get in touch with GyanDhan. It is an education loan marketplace that provides free loan assistance and helps you get secured/unsecured abroad education loans at the best possible interest rates.

Thinking in terms of new currency can be hard in the beginning and thus, it is important for you to keep all the above-mentioned tips and tricks in mind to manage your finances in a practical way!

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How to manage your finances while studying abroad? (2024)

FAQs

How to manage your finances while studying abroad? ›

Determine a set amount of money that you will need each week for “needs”, such as food and transportation, and then see what you will have left over for “wants”, such as entertainment and travel. Keep track of your spending by saving receipts and adding up expenses throughout your program.

How do you handle money while studying abroad? ›

Accessing money while abroad
  1. Cash/Local Currency. Let's start with the most basic form of payment: cash. ...
  2. Opening a Bank Account. If you are abroad for a semester or longer, you may want to investigate the option of opening a local bank account. ...
  3. ATM/Debit Cards. ...
  4. Credit Cards. ...
  5. Apple Pay/Google Pay.

How much money should you have saved to study abroad? ›

Studying abroad can be a priceless experience, but it's not free. The average semester abroad costs between $7,000 and $15,000 in total, while a one-month summer program runs from $3,500 to $6,000, according to the University of Louisville.

How to financially prepare for study abroad? ›

How to Budget for Study Abroad
  1. Decide where you want to study abroad. ...
  2. Consider a work-study or paid internship. ...
  3. Apply to grants & scholarships early. ...
  4. Set your budget before you leave. ...
  5. Opt for a homestay. ...
  6. Keep track of expenses. ...
  7. Avoid bank fees. ...
  8. Take advantage of student discounts.
Mar 10, 2022

How much cash should I bring to study abroad? ›

With good planning and budgeting, students could plan to spend less than $5,000; yet it also reflects how costs can add up quickly. A good starting point is an average of 175-200 Euros per week (or 185-215 USD per week).

Can college abroad actually save you money? ›

Direct enrollment at an overseas institution for a semester, year, or even an entire degree has the possibility to save you some substantial cash. In this article, we're featuring the cost of affordable and popular destinations to give you an idea of how to budget for your exciting study abroad adventure.

Should I study abroad if I'm poor? ›

Nearly everyone who graduates without studying abroad regrets it. But the truth is, missing out on study abroad in the name of a tight budget is unnecessary. If you're already paying for college, study abroad is a chance to get more for your tuition. It can even offset your expenses depending on where you go.

How do I pay for summer study abroad? ›

  1. Apply for study abroad scholarships.
  2. Explore institutional aid.
  3. Check 529 account rules for study abroad.
  4. Pull from your savings.
  5. Use federal student loans.
  6. Consider private student loans.
Mar 19, 2024

Is it worth it to study abroad for a year? ›

Studying abroad is worth it if you can find a program that aligns with your interests, goals and finances. The once-in-a-lifetime experience can improve your future career and income prospects, broaden your horizons and give you space to build new skills.

Is it expensive to study abroad for a year? ›

Studying abroad can cost over $16,000 per semester—here's how students plan to pay for it. After seeing enrollment decline by 91% during the 2020-21 academic year, study abroad programs have made nearly a full recovery from colleges and universities' pandemic pauses.

Who pays when you study abroad? ›

Many college students and study abroad participants use financial aid to defray the overall expense. Some options include taking out loans, applying for scholarships and grants, enrolling in payment plans, and more. It all depends on which part of the program you need help paying for — so let's break down the cost.

What is the best way to study abroad? ›

While there is no wrong way or place to study abroad, there are ways to get the most out of that experience.
  1. Consider Taking a Lighter than Normal Course Load. ...
  2. Make Friends Outside the Box. ...
  3. Make Friends who Don't Speak English. ...
  4. Start Every Day With an Open Mind. ...
  5. Keep a Budget. ...
  6. Learn How to Get Around.

Do you pay out of pocket for study abroad? ›

What are some "out-of-pocket" expenses that I should be aware of when thinking about budgeting for study abroad? Outside of tuition and fees, student should plan to pay for flights, visa-related expenses (if applicable), housing, meals, mandatory insurance, public transportation, and other personal expenses.

Do US debit cards work in Europe? ›

For credit cards, Visa and MasterCard are universal, while American Express and Discover are less common. US debit cards with a Visa or MasterCard logo will work in any European ATM. Go "contactless." Get comfortable using contactless pay options.

Why is studying abroad so expensive? ›

Studying abroad is many students' dream, but it can be expensive. Program costs alone can range from $4,000 to $10,000. Other factors that can increase costs are housing, food, and transportation. Students can reduce costs by saving money, finding scholarships, and taking out student loans.

Can I use my debit card in another country? ›

You can typically use a debit card when traveling in another country as long as the merchant accepts transactions from the card issuer. Debit cards are especially useful when withdrawing cash from ATMs internationally, but cash and credit cards may make more sense for other purchases abroad.

Can I use Zelle while traveling abroad? ›

No, you cannot use Zelle while traveling abroad. Zelle is limited to transfers between US bank accounts. Here's why it won't work internationally: Zelle Network Restriction: Zelle is designed for domestic transactions within the United States.

Do ATM cards work internationally? ›

Yes. As long as your ATM or credit card has either a Visa or PLUS logo, you can withdraw cash at ATMs that are part of the Visa or PLUS network. How do I find an ATM in the country that I'm traveling to? Visa is accepted at over 200 countries and territories around the world.

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