| Studying abroad is usually a very exciting and | | | | local currency is worth in US dollars (or your home |
| rewarding experience. Not only do you get to | | | | currency if you're not from the US). If you do this |
| experience another culture first hand (its people, | | | | you'll know just how much money you'll have on |
| food, music, language and how they do things), but | | | | hand and you'll also be able to keep yourself from |
| you also get to learn while there. Education is why | | | | being scammed by an unscrupulous salesperson that |
| you go abroad, but it's the cultural experience that | | | | wants to take advantage of the foreigner. While you |
| most people look forward to the most. There are | | | | are staying overseas, you probably should consider |
| some aspects of a study abroad program that | | | | converting all your money into the currency they use |
| students often worry about, however, such as how | | | | in that country or getting a card you can use over |
| much money they might need. Some students will be | | | | there to make it easier to manage your money. |
| lucky and have money available from their parents, | | | | Tip 4: Jot down whatever you purchase. Write down |
| others might be required to work and save up over | | | | every purchase and really pay attention to your cash. |
| a length of time, and still others might concentrate on | | | | If you use a credit card for all your purchases, this is |
| getting scholarships; in any event, most of the | | | | especially important; as many students find out, it's |
| students will have no clue how much they'll require. | | | | incredibly easy to lose track of how much you've |
| The good news is that you can follow a few tricks | | | | spent if everything's being bought with plastic. But |
| to save money while studying overseas so that | | | | even if you are using cash, you should keep track of |
| however much you do bring goes a long way. | | | | how much you have. When you keep track of how |
| Tip 1: Look for a Generous Family to Live With: When | | | | much you've spent you'll find yourself asking, "Do I |
| living abroad you will usually have to find a place to | | | | really need this knickknack?" and end up saving lots |
| stay. A few students choose to rent an apartment | | | | of money. |
| or find roommates to stay with, which can be pricey. | | | | Tip 5: Haggle whenever you can. A lot of countries |
| However, if you go through a study abroad agency | | | | will allow or even expect you to bargain in some of |
| they might be able to assign you to a family that will | | | | the stores (make sure you know before trying this!) |
| allow you to stay with them for the entire time you | | | | which can save you tons of money when done right. |
| live overseas. | | | | If you see something that normally costs ten dollars, |
| Tip 2: The program you choose to study abroad | | | | for example, tell the shop keeper you'll give them |
| through can often provide information on how to | | | | seven. Remember, every little bit counts. |
| save money on food. If you're staying with a family, | | | | Going overseas can be a unique and immensely |
| again, they will probably feed you most of the time. | | | | rewarding experience, but it does have its costs. |
| You'll wind up saving tons of money and can spend | | | | Nobody should spend all their time stressing out |
| time socializing with the people who are helping you | | | | about money instead of having a blast and learning |
| out. Also, make sure you shop at a grocery store | | | | about their chosen country. Focusing on money |
| instead of eating at the cafes or restaurants, as | | | | saving tips like the ones above can help you keep |
| those places are often costly. | | | | your spending under control so you can focus on |
| Tip 3: Make sure that you are aware of what the | | | | enjoying yourself while you study abroad! |