Completing your education abroad is one of the most intelligent choices that you can make if you’re someone who’s looking to further your education while traveling! Traveling the world is a dream for many, but so often people can feel like it’s just not obtainable. Studying while living abroad can raise a hefty price, but the experience is more than worth it. When they’re bundled, the costs of traveling and going to school are lowered because you’re combining the expenses, activities, and timelines. You’ll meet new people, explore different cultures, visit extraordinary places, and be able to check things off your bucket list, all while getting your degree! Studying abroad is the ideal situation to better yourself while making lifelong memories.
Below, we’ll be providing you with insider tips and tricks if you’re looking to study abroad. We have insight on how to make your trip memorable and incorporate your studies with adventure. Use our advice to get started on the life you’ve been dreaming of!
Figure Out Your Finances
When covering your abroad expenses, you may want to consider applying for a federal or private loan. Federal loans, such as FAFSA, are fixed, reliable, and don’t have to be repaid until you have your degree. This will make paying your loan back easy once you secure a good job. Private loans, on the other hand, have more guidelines and don’t totally erase expenses while you’re in school, but provide some relief.
Check out your university and see if they offer a payment plan for their study abroad program. Every school’s plan may look a little different. However, paying in installments rather than upfront is more affordable for the majority of people. Universities and colleges that offer study abroad programs almost always have scholarship opportunities available. Be sure to check these out and apply for them, as well as search the internet for any other organization’s scholarships to help get students abroad. Mixing a few of these options may be your best bet at maximizing funding for studying abroad.
Another way to bring in extra income could be to find a remote job. Use LinkedIn or Indeed to search for remote jobs so that you can have the flexibility of working from anywhere. This allows you to be able to travel around, move locations, and come back to the States if you need to, without having to take too much time off or risk losing your position.
If you’re looking for part-time work, you might want to start looking for work at a cafe, nightclub, restaurant, or as a delivery person, to name a few. You may also have to make some adjustments to protect your finances while abroad. Be sure to manage your money wisely and use a budget. This will ensure you don’t end up running out of money and that you’ll have funds available in case of an emergency. In addition, it’s important to set aside savings for post-trip endeavors, whether you’re going back to school or home.
Invest In Their Culture
Being in a foreign place for the first time can be a difficult adjustment. Not only is their way of life different, but small things like the differences in food can take time to adapt to.
We advise that you do everything that you can to prepare yourself for going abroad. Do your research about the place you’ll be living. What are their cultural norms? Do they speak English at all or mostly their native tongue? What is the cost of living like? Their staple foods? Make yourself familiar with their way of life beforehand so that there will not be as big of a culture shock when you arrive.
Even something as simple as making a home-cooked meal for yourself using ingredients you’ll find in the food and grocery stores in that country can help you get acclimated to the culture. It may not be a perfect replica, however, this might help your body get used to the change in diet that you’re about to experience.
Once you’re there, don’t be afraid to immerse yourself in the lifestyle of that place. Try new foods, find new places, and discover interests that may kickstart your future!
Let’s say you really enjoyed the culture and lifestyle of living abroad. Maybe you have fallen in love with a place and are ready to build your life there! Get yourself ahead of schedule by spending some time getting to know the area. If you’ve moved back to the States and are preparing your move abroad officially, use this time to save and plan. Start with a savings account for your future home, to help with rent, furniture, food, moving costs, and more. Explore different locations while you’re in your country of choice, and check out the different costs of living. To understand what area will be the best fit for you, estimate how much house you can afford and search for living situations within your price range. Once you have an idea, you will be able to plan your spending accordingly to make your dreams of living abroad come true.
Plan Ahead
You may be thinking to yourself, how can I ever afford to study abroad? While this lifestyle may be costly, there are many different resources that are available today that can help you manage the high expenses that come with international living. Studying abroad may seem unattainable, but by taking the right steps and doing your research, you’ll be at your destination in no time.
Studying abroad comes with many different perks. Some of these perks include lower costs because you’re bundling travel, education, and living expenses altogether. This means some costs may be omitted or combined, doing less damage to your wallet than if you were to travel on your own. Most importantly, you’re pushing yourself out of your comfort zone. You’ll get the opportunity to experience new cultures and discover parts about yourself that you otherwise may not have. Studying abroad allows you to learn while vacationing, getting the most bang for your buck, and will give you new perspectives that’ll allow you to learn and grow.
It may seem overwhelming to think about studying abroad because you’re paying to travel and get a degree at the same time, but it’ll be worth it in the long run due to the new experiences and knowledge that you’ll gain. Instead of paying upfront for flights, hotels, food, and activities abroad and then coming home and worrying about saving to go back to school, you may as well get it all done at once. Luckily, most universities and colleges offer programs abroad, meaning you’ll pay a set amount for the travel expenses and classes.
Continue Your Education
Remember, it’s never too late to go back to school! Adult learners are being targeted, in a good way, to return to school. Education no longer stops after your 4 years of college. Whether already having a degree or going back for another, people of all ages are invited to rejoin the academic world.
If you’re someone who’s looking to make a return to the academic world, then it would be worth it to look into different education opportunities that exist. Finding a university or program to travel through will be a game changer for your studies abroad. Education First is a world-renowned education promoter that provides study abroad opportunities to people of all ages. You can choose your destination and choose how long you’re abroad, ranging from a few months to a year, to the entirety of earning your master’s degree. Start your planning early so you figure out the education route that you want to take!
Say you’ve already gotten your bachelor’s degree, but you find yourself a few years down the line wanting to go back to school. Maybe you want to complete your Master’s or earn your Ph.D. Considering different options abroad provides you with an amazing opportunity to complete your studies while getting a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Most of the time, universities abroad, and in the United States, offer scholarships that will cover most of your expenses. If you’re looking to expand your education and go back to school, start looking for scholarships through different universities. Some schools in the U.S. may even offer programs for students to complete their studies abroad.
Working in the realm of academia, health care, or social services cannot fail you because these jobs are needed internationally. Become a part-time educator through a college/community college or primary school abroad. English teachers are always needed especially in countries where English is not their first language. If you work in the medical field, maybe consider travel nursing and using your degree as an opportunity to see the world while making money.
Don’t Hesitate
Study abroad while you’re young! Even if you’re 30-50, it’s better to travel now than when you reach old age and it may be difficult to get around physically.
Traveling requires good health because it involves lots of walking, moving around, taking multiple means of transportation, and dealing with unexpected changes. These factors may lead to stress which can negatively impact people with health issues.
In addition, medications may not be the same as the ones we have in the U.S., so you must keep that in mind when traveling abroad. Chat with your doctor before your trip to make sure you’re squared away with all of your medical needs.
Maximize Your Money
You’re probably asking yourself, how in the world does anyone afford to live like this without being born filthy rich? We’re here to tell you how. We understand that money, power, and knowledge are things that drive this world. However, investing in your education by choosing to study abroad adds value to your development, in both personal and professional ways.
If the university path is not for you, you could consider some other options. One great way to travel and live abroad while working or studying is to apply to be an English teacher in a foreign country. If you have any background in education and are looking for a change, then this is the job for you. It’ll give you the chance to live in a foreign country and become immersed in their culture while making a living!
You can also maximize your money by living with a roommate to lower your rent. You can use apps like Erasmusu and Diggz to search for available roommates in your desired area. You can read a little bit about other potential roommates, and match with someone you have compatible living arrangements with!
This will also expand your network of connections, and hopefully, lead you to some good friends. If they’re native to the area or have lived there a while, this is a great opportunity for you to get acclimated with the culture and environment by leaning on your roommate. Chances are they have some advice and guidance for you during your first weeks in their country.
Study Their Language
Consider the culture of the destination you’re looking for. In some places, they may not speak English much, so you may find it difficult to find part-time work if you cannot speak the local dialect. Language-learning apps like Duolingo, Babbel and Rosetta Stone are free, easily downloadable right to your phone or smart device, and allow you to learn wherever you are! Google Translate and other translation apps are also great resources for learning on the fly. Maybe you overhear a conversation or words you hear often, and want to translate it to English to figure out what it means, using Google Translate can be a great resource to do that.
If you’re looking to kick it up a notch, check and see if your university or program offers classes on language learning. Most places, especially those that offer opportunities abroad, want to make sure you have the resources to thrive wherever you’re going.
Alternatively…
If you aren’t looking to travel abroad, but still crave adventure, finding remote school options might be a good option for you. This could allow you to travel around the country freely while having income to support yourself. Attending college virtually is an option for many ever since the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Two years later, we find that the way we now live has changed compared to before the pandemic. Now there’s a larger emphasis on work-life balance. Working or learning remotely, can allow you to travel the U.S. in a car, RV, bus, plane, etc. Being remote provides you the flexibility to work from anywhere whether it be at an Airbnb or alternative housing styles such as a hostel or renting a tiny home.
All in all,
Studying abroad is one of the wisest decisions you could make if you have the travel bug! It’s a secure way to get your studies done while living the abroad lifestyle you’ve been dreaming of. By the end of your stay, it’s a high possibility that you won’t want to leave after all! You may even consider moving to your abroad home permanently, or exploring another location that you’d love to settle down in.
Spending time abroad will widen your horizons and boost your salary when you do enter the workforce. Your experiences will help you become a more well-rounded, well-versed individual and give you a competitive edge when searching for jobs. Having a higher-paying position will allow you to live comfortably and what you learned abroad will set you apart from your peers.
Regardless, by the end of your stay abroad, you’ll come out with wild experiences and new opportunities for your life and career. These are experiences that you’ll carry with you for the rest of your life, and help shape you into a well-rounded individual. Have fun sharing your stories and what you learned!
