Studying abroad can be an experience of a lifetime… but it can also cost a penny. Fortunately, if you want to study abroad cheaply or also study abroad for free, there are few options.
The secret to offset the cost of studying abroad is to remember that what you pay to study abroad is for peace of mind and ease. Study abroad programs charge extra fees to help you find accommodation, help you enroll in foreign universities, or even facilitate your visa process. By doing some or all of these tasks on your own, you can make your study abroad a whole lot easier.
Here are six ways you can cut some of those costs and study abroad cheaply or for free!
1. Enroll directly in a foreign university or language school
While universities are quite expensive in the United States, many countries offer free or low-cost schooling … even to foreign students.
For example, La Sorbonne of Paris has no tuition fees and only a nominal registration fee – about $ 200. The only downside? French universities teach in French so it is the language required to enroll. For non-Francophones, Australia’s University of Tasmania comes with a reasonable price tag that hovers around $ 6,000 dollars, while the University of New Zealand’s Auckland is a touch more expensive at less than $ 9,000.
And English-language programs are not limited to English-speaking countries. The campus of the University of Nottingham, Ningbo, China offers programs under $ 7,000 with tuition in English.
Consider making a list of five countries where you want to study abroad. Next, check public university websites in those countries to see if the cost of tuition is manageable for you. Also, keep in mind the cost of living in these countries: Norway’s public universities are independent, even for international students, but the high cost of living may make this option less enticing than some others .
2. Volunteer abroad instead
Who says that a university has to study abroad? The immersive volunteer experience is the perfect opportunity to gain valuable foreign language knowledge and hands-on experience without paying any tuition fees.
While some programs charge students to engage with volunteer programs abroad, a free option is WWOOF – a worldwide organic farming network that pairs volunteers with farmers in need of additional hands. In return for your work, you will be provided with free accommodation and food, and if you are trying to learn the local language, you will come far more than the callgirls!
There are also very low-cost or no-cost volunteer options that do not include farm work. For example, Global Work and Travel sends fearless volunteers to Tanzania and IVHQ that literally volunteers around the world! If voluntarily is the path you have chosen, consider how you might feel for a study abroad experience. Perhaps sign up for a language course or volunteer with a program that also includes studies about local culture and history.
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3. Complete the work-study
Working while studying abroad is often complicated for international students who do not have the necessary visas to be employed in a foreign country. But some programs have the ability to bypass this sticky situation so that you can offset the cost of your study abroad by earning a salary. To become a teacher of English as a foreign language or to select a country consider enrolling in a course that allows you to work during your program, such as Australia or New Zealand.
Also keep in mind that many E.U. Countries will allow you to work part-time depending on the length of your stay abroad. For example, in the UK, you can work part-time if you live for more than six months, while in Spain, you can work as long as it is in a job related to your field of study. Our useful guides will help you learn more about labor laws in various studies abroad.
4. Work as an Au Pair
Going abroad as an online pair may be the best way to offset the cost of your study abroad program. Not only does working as a couple ensure that housing costs are taken care of, but most couples abroad also cover phone and transportation – and
5. Apply for scholarships and grants
This is an obvious one, but we cannot leave it off the list. Study abroad Scholarships and grants are the easiest way to cut the cost of your study abroad. Of course, they are more competitive than some of the other options we have suggested, so they may not work for everyone.
Go Overseas has an extensive list of study abroad scholarships and grants in various disciplines, countries and programs. Google is another great resource for getting specific scholarships for your studies on the subject of your program of study, or the country in which you wish to study abroad.
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6. Virtual study abroad
Although perhaps unconventional, virtual study abroad is another great option to cut costs while gaining international exposure. Even though you will not be physically in a different country, you will still practice a new language, meet people from all over the world and learn about different cultures and histories. And for those of you who are thinking about starting an international career after graduation, this is a great opportunity to make global connections and expand your network.
Options for virtual study abroad range from courses on innovation and entrepreneurship to internships in the field of your choosing. If you are feeling unsure about this option, then check out this article about what virtual study abroad is and why you should consider it.
Whichever way you try to study abroad for cheap, the best way to offset the cost is by taking full advantage of the opportunities afforded to you. Memories made by you abroad will be priceless!
Here are how to study abroad for free from India, and which is the cheapest country to study abroad for Indian students? How to study abroad for free after the 12th.