Be Prepared
To prepare a realistic budget, you will need to account for both administrative and personal expenses. Here is a list to get you started on factors you might consider:
- Health insurance
- Tuition and other academic fees
- Books
- Academic supplies
- Dorm/Rent
- Utilities
- Telephone
- Furnishings
- Food & Board
- Entertainment and leisure (movies, restaurants, snacks/beverages)
- Clothing
- Laundry/Cleaning
- Commuting and local transportation
- Dependents
- Taxes
Keep in mind that the cost of living varies from city to city throughout the host country, and that large urban areas tend to be more expensive (in terms of housing, food, clothing, and entertainment) than rural areas. Check school catalogues for information on the range of projected costs involved with your program for more area-specific numbers.
Finding Funding
If you have already secured funding from your local government, make sure to convert enough of it into travellers cheques that you can then deposit in your local account (to be opened as soon as you arrive at your host country).
You may also be eligible for financial aid or student awards, depending on the program and on the agreement terms between your home and host countries. Remember that awards received from colleges or universities in the United States, for example, are usually taxed. Note that health insurance should be prioritized as a crucial part of your expenses.
Lastly, you may also be able to work part-time as a student. The number of hours will be limited by the workload of your program along with immigration rules and regulations covering international students. Check with your international study advisor upon arrival to find out about work-study openings around campus and to confirm your status.
For more suggestions, please browse through the reference materials included in our Study Abroad lessons. You will find many guides and other resources created especially for international students.
