How Much It Cost Me to Study Abroad in College for a Summer: The 10 weeks I spent studying abroad were the greatest of my life. True, despite being a cliché. I was with wonderful people, I adhered to a budget, and I thoroughly relished exploring London. However, the once-in-a-lifetime experience was not inexpensive.
Ten weeks of foreign education cost me approximately $15,000, which is almost as much as a year’s tuition at a public university.
Even though I adhered to my daily budget, I was losing money at an alarming rate. Here is an estimate of how much it cost me to spend a summer studying abroad in college, divided down by significant spending categories.
How Much It Cost Me to Study Abroad in College for a Summer
Housing and Education
As was the case with my study abroad programme, tuition and accommodation costs are sometimes bundled together. I was required to reside in a particular unit with my classmates. We boarded in one of London’s most costly neighbourhoods, Kensington.
The total initial cost of tuition and accommodation was $9,650. This cost was deducted from my college savings account.
By pursuing a program-specific scholarship, I was able to save $1,000. These contests are typically uncompetitive, and your odds of winning are high: I only had to defeat one other student to win $1,000.
Aviation ticket
Summer is typically the highest season for ticket prices. A round-trip ticket from LAX to Heathrow Airport cost me about $820. Regarding cost, location is crucial. It is also important to note that these tickets would have been significantly less expensive in the winter.
I recommend purchasing tickets as soon as feasible to save money on airfare. Also, summer price inflation should not be overlooked.
Food I spent approximately $150 per week on food, totaling an estimated $1,500. Approximately $360 was spent on supplies. I attempted to dine at home as often as possible to prevent expenses from escalating out of control. Despite this, I was forced to adjust my budget to account for excess.
Tracking my spending was problematic. I used pen and paper, a sluggish and laborious method. I recommend utilising modern technology to simplify your life (see below for some suggestions).
Miscellaneous
In a city as large as London, entertainment expenses can creep up on you. Pubs, theatres, literature, transportation, and a train ride to Northern England added thousands of dollars to my study abroad costs. I will not feign that I diligently kept track of those; I did not.
Let’s say I spent approximately $2,000 per year, or $200 per week, on miscellaneous expenses. Then add an additional $1,000 because it is common to underestimate costs. (It is better to be secure than sorry.) In addition to the essentials, these additional travel costs total $3,000.
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Was it valuable?
Absolutely. Despite going over budget, I have no misgivings (okay, maybe I could have drank less in the pubs). Reading Shakespeare and teasing friends while spreading marmalade on freshly baked bread on the shores of Round Pond was tremendously enjoyable. Nonetheless, I can think of a few items that would have made the trip more affordable and convenient.
I could have used a budgeting app to automatically monitor my expenses. Would have been required to collect fewer receipts. I had a complete binder of receipts by the end of the trip, and I frequently lost track of them.
I could have obtained an internationally accepted credit card. Many stores refused my Discover card because they only accepted Mastercard or Visa. I failed to recognise my error until it was too late. I had to frequently look for local ATMs to withdraw cash.
Consider creating a rough budget with whoever is responsible for your college expenses. I spent thirty minutes to an hour explaining to my mother how much money she would need to transfer from my undergraduate checking account to my personal account. It was useful, so I would recommend it.
Studying abroad can be a top-tier experience, which is enhanced by prompt trip preparation. One of the most important factors to consider is where and for how long you will be studying. Apply for program-specific scholarships in order to reduce expenses. And remember, round up when in doubt!
