Budgeting for Study Abroad

Research and apply for scholarships a minimum of 6 to 12 months in advance of when you plan to travel so you don't miss important deadlines.

Consider the difference between cost and value.

• Sometimes a longer-term experience can be more cost effective! Replacing a semester abroad with one you had already budgeted for here at UC can make study abroad more affordable. 
• While a semester abroad may have a higher cost, it can sometimes be a better value than a shorter stay in the same country.

Consider countries where the cost of living is lower.

• Cost of living will vary from country to country and is often the largest determining factor in overall program cost, i.e., a program in Thailand will likely cost less than a program in the UK due to the vastly different costs of living in the two countries. 
• Similarly, consider a smaller city; it costs much less to study in Viterbo, Italy than it does to study in a city like Rome.

• Create a budget - whether old-school on paper or on an app like Mint, creating and maintaining a budget can help you manage your funds abroad. 
• Ask relatives to contribute to your study abroad for birthdays and holidays, consider setting up a crowdsource account like FundMyTravel.
• Live like a local, rather than a tourist. Utilize public transportation, seek out local markets, and make friends with local students.
• Look for student discounts! There are often discounts for young people on train tickets, museums and more.  Be sure to ask and have ID ready to show.