STUDYING ABROAD can be a life changing experience. There are many issues to consider
before departing, from homesickness to choosing your field of study. Also key
to a successful study abroad experience is to think about the issue of money
before you go.
Here are seven tips to
keep your finances in order.
1.
Ask Tough
Questions : Who
is paying for your trip? How much can you afford to spend? Will you have access
to ATM cards, credit cards, or bank accounts while overseas? Will you have
insurance if you get sick or injured?
2.
Research Your
Destination : Find
out if your bank has partner banks overseas. Ask if they can waive transaction
fees for ATM cards or credit cards. Learn how much your housing,
transportation, tuition, textbooks, food, and entertainment are expected to cost
in your destination. Research the currency exchange rate, so you won’t be
caught off guard when a store-bought soda sets your back Rp. 60,000.
3.
Create a Wish
List: When your trip is
over and you’re back home, what do you want to remember? Where would you want
to have gone? What would you like to have done? Plan ahead and create a wish
list. Once you know what you want to do, you can estimate how much it will cost
you to do the things on your list. As and added bonus, if you plan your trips
ahead of time, you can get better rates on airfare and transportation.
4.
Calculate You
Daily Maximum : Find
out how much you want to spend and how long you will be overseas. Then,
calculate your daily maximum. For example, if you wanted to spend US$5,000 and
are studying abroad for 100 days, your daily maximum would be US$50. Whether
that would be enough to cover food, transportation and housing depends on you
and your destination.
5.
Cook Your Own
Meals : Because of their
lower prices end greater quantites of food, grocery stores and your best
friend. For the some amount of money, you can either get a small meal at a
restaurant or a day’s worth of food at a grocery store. Cooking food at your
dorm or apartment frees up a lot of money for more important things on your
wish list. Plus, you might make a few friends sharing home-cooked meals.
6.
Track Your
Expenses : Every
time you buy something, keep track of how much you spent. You will be able to
tell if you are living within your means, or if you need to cut back in order
to afford something special on your wish list. It is important to note how much
you spend as well as what you spend on.
7.
Make Friends : Not only will your trip be more fun when your
make friends, but you might also save money. Consider staying with locals for
free through online networks like www.CouchSurfing.org. You can also get reduced rates for groups,
especially when it comes to hotels and transportation.
Its is important to keep a balance between being
careful with your money and having fun. When it doubt, refer back to your wish
list. If it really is important for you, spend to money and savor the
experience. You can always cook a few meals and reject a few invitation later,
knowing that you have experienced something wonderful.
alright!
BalasHapus