Attending a college or university abroad is a big step. Leaving your home country is not an easy task. Along with a new beginning, there is also the expense of studying and living in a foreign country. Especially, if you go to a country where the currency exchange rate reduces the worth of your home currency.
A few tips and hacks to help students save money while studying abroad are:
- On-campus events:
On-campus events are a great way to get freebies. There is usually food, a lot of school supplies, and free T-shirts. If you sign up for a campus organization, you can give your extracurricular activities a boost, and gain some free stuff too!
- Affordable ways to stay connected:
The first thing you want to do while going to study abroad is to get an international sim card . A USA prepaid sim card will let you stay connected with friends and family back home, if your college is located in the U.S.A, It will also help you in navigating an unfamiliar place all on your own. With affordable rates for students, you can save a lot of money by using an international sim card.
- Create a budget:
Apart from school-related expenses like textbooks, and stationery supplies, you will have various other costs. These will include dorm-related expenses, groceries, transportation, and so on. To keep all your expenses on track, make sure you have a budget in place. Apps like Spendbook and Wally can help you stay within your budget.
- Earn extra:
A part-time job will go a long way to help you earn, and save money. It will be a second source of income, apart from your allowance. If you can’t find a part-time job, you can work as a tutor. You can also apply for jobs at the library, computer lab, or student centers. A job will not only help you make new friends, but will also get you a Social Security card! A good college job will make it easier to manage money and you will also gain work experience.
- Scholarships and discounts:
There are scholarships available for academic achievers. Make sure to submit your applications on time. Many scholarships are annual, which means that you can re-apply next year. In some universities, there are special discounts available for members of campus organizations.
- New textbooks:
Buying new textbooks can be very expensive. Before you purchase brand-new textbooks, see if you can borrow books from a friend, or the library. A lot of websites sell second-hand textbooks, or rent them out for a limited period of time. Ask your professors if you can make do with an older edition of the textbook, as they will cost you a lot less, and will have similar, if not the same content.
Spending wisely and planning your budget will help you save money throughout your college life. These tips and hacks are a few of the habits that you must adopt in order to keep your finances in check.
