The battle of study abroad expenses

MCT CAMPUS - Students can go through a direct exchange with countries including Germany, France, Norway and others.

Studying abroad is an idea that passes through many college students’ minds, but only a limited number take the opportunity. The fear of inadequate finances deters many from even looking into the possibility.

Boise State University’s study abroad program allows students to attend any accredited college or university anywhere in the world. The most common programs used at BSU are direct exchanges and the University Studies Abroad Consortium (USAC), based out of the University of Nevada, Reno.

The direct exchange allows BSU students to travel to specific campuses in various countries for the price they would normally pay for Boise State tuition. This is usually the cheapest way to study abroad. Students can go through a direct exchange with countries including Germany, France, Norway and others.

USAC programs require students to pay program fees directly to them. The student would still be enrolled at his or her college or university but wouldn’t pay tuition while in the USAC program. Programs are offered in a wide variety of countries, including India, Thailand, Italy, Malta, England, Ghana, Spain and Sweden.

While prices may seem inexpensive to what many would assume they cost. For example, a USAC program to Kobe, Japan for a full year costs less than $13,000. Prices of programs don’t usually include airfare, most field trips or tours, local transportation, books or supplies, housing, or personal expenses. Furthermore, living with a host family or in the dorms usually gives a student at least two meals a day.

Student and peer advisor with studies abroad, Claire Ivins has gone to China and France. According to Ivins, the biggest expenses were food, housing and travel.

“I could do a lot with not very much because I stayed in hostels and with friends,” Ivins said. “Budgeting was important so I didn’t blow it all at the beginning. It’s not stressful when you’re being smart.”

Sonia Trevizo, a student who has studied abroad to Guatemala and Italy said travel was an extra factor, “simply because I overlooked it. Once I was over there I just wanted to go everywhere (and that) can get pricey.”

A major factor students face when they first get to their country is they, “don’t know what money is worth, the exchange rate, and bank fees,” said Corrine Henke, coordinator of Education Abroad.

According to The Money Hunt, a FAQ sheet designed to help students with funding study abroad, “returned study abroad students have said studying abroad required at least $1,000 more than they initially anticipated.”

Trevizo advises to, “give yourself at least a year to plan for your trip, set priorities before you go and only take a credit card for emergencies only.”

Ivins suggests, “to shop at a grocery store rather than eating out. It would be worth taking out a small loan to help with travel. Also, when considering studying abroad, apply for financial aid, as it still may apply for a study abroad program.”

As for communication, try using Skype, a computer program that allows users to make voice calls over the internet.

“It’s free and you can actually forward Skype to a cell phone, so if someone calls your Skype it will forward straight to your cell phone,” said Jordan Park, a BSU student who studied abroad.

Ivins believes studying abroad is a worthwhile experience, despite the expenses.

“I came back with nothing but I don’t regret it,” Ivins said.

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Posted by Arbiter Staff on Mar 8 2010. Filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.