Is Study Abroad Affordable?
Studying abroad does not have to be expensive! There are multiple ways to make your international experience as affordable as it is enjoyable.
Before You Go Abroad
Understand Cost to Attend TTU in Lubbock
How much do you pay to attend classes and live in Lubbock? You would be surprised
how many students cannot answer that question. Understanding your expenses in Lubbock
can help you select a study abroad program with a similiar cost. You should also reference
the TTU cost of attendance to understand your educational expenses for a normal semester in Lubbock and compare
that to the costs for study abroad.
Program Duration
Short-term and summer programs are almost always cheaper on the whole than semester
programs; however, semester and year-long programs typically provide a lot more value
per dollar spent because students can earn two or three times as many academic credits,
spend more time abroad, and may qualify for larger scholarship awards.
Exchange Rates
Compare the exchange rates of currencies in several countries to get the best deal
on the U.S. dollar. You may find that you get more for your money in some countries
than others.
Program Type
If you are an in-state student, then reciprocal exchange programs are usually cheaper
than affiliate programs. However, if you are an out-of-state student, then you may
find that affiliate programs are not necessarily more expensive.
Financial Aid and Scholarships
The key to getting your hands on financial aid or scholarship money is to start early
and plan ahead. Learn more about Financial Aid and Scholarships and get a head start on funding your adventure.
Lifestyle and Budget
Are there ways you could save money? Do you currently have a job that would allow
you to save additional money for a study abroad experience? If you don't have a job
currently, could you consider getting one? Many students are able to save funds for
studying abroad by working part-time and budgeting carefully.
Program Location
Program costs can vary widely by program location. Large cities in Europe tend to
have high costs of living while cities of comparable size in Latin America usually
have much lower costs of living. Consider studying abroad in a less traditional location
- you will usually save money! Also, you may find that a program in a small town or
city, regardless of the country, provides better value than a program that is based
in a large city.
Good-Value Programs
Understand Cost to Attend TTU in Lubbock
How much do you pay to attend classes and live in Lubbock? You would be surprised
how many students cannot answer that question. Understanding your expenses in Lubbock
can help you select a study abroad program with a similiar cost. You should also reference
the TTU cost of attendance to understand your educational expenses for a normal semester in Lubbock and compare
that to the costs for study abroad.
Program Duration
Short-term and summer programs are almost always cheaper on the whole than semester
programs; however, semester and year-long programs typically provide a lot more value
per dollar spent because students can earn two or three times as many academic credits,
spend more time abroad, and may qualify for larger scholarship awards.
Exchange Rates
Compare the exchange rates of currencies in several countries to get the best deal
on the U.S. dollar. You may find that you get more for your money in some countries
than others.
Program Type
If you are an in-state student, then reciprocal exchange programs are usually cheaper
than affiliate programs. However, if you are an out-of-state student, then you may
find that affiliate programs are not necessarily more expensive.
Financial Aid and Scholarships
The key to getting your hands on financial aid or scholarship money is to start early
and plan ahead. Learn more about Financial Aid and Scholarships and get a head start on funding your adventure.
Lifestyle and Budget
Are there ways you could save money? Do you currently have a job that would allow
you to save additional money for a study abroad experience? If you don't have a job
currently, could you consider getting one? Many students are able to save funds for
studying abroad by working part-time and budgeting carefully.
Program Location
Program costs can vary widely by program location. Large cities in Europe tend to
have high costs of living while cities of comparable size in Latin America usually
have much lower costs of living. Consider studying abroad in a less traditional location
- you will usually save money! Also, you may find that a program in a small town or
city, regardless of the country, provides better value than a program that is based
in a large city.
Good-Value Programs
While You Are Abroad
Live Like a Local
Observe how people in your host country and city live, where they eat, where they
shop, etc. If you live like a local rather than as a tourist, you are likely to save
money.
Student Discounts
Ask other students and the International Office at your host university of program
what kinds of discounts are out there for students. For example, many museums in Europe
have one day each week when students pay a discounted student rate rather than full
price. By keeping your ear to the ground and looking for students discounts, you could
save substantial money over the course of your time abroad. You can also buy an ISIC card, which has lots of discounts for students.
Travel Locally
Personal travel (during the course of a study abroad program or before/after the
program starts/ends) can cost students a lot. If you are trying to save money, you
might want to consider limiting your personal travel to the country in which you are
studying (or to a couple of nearby cities) rather than traveling to a large number
of neighboring countries. Many students reach the end of their study abroad program
and realize that, while they have seen much of an entire continent, they have not
fully explored their own host city and country. Save a lot of money by spending your
"personal travel" money and time getting to know the area where you are staying.
Budget Carefully
If you are studying abroad on limited funds, make a weekly or monthly budget and stick
to it! This website could be helpful as you're considering how to budget for everything.
Live Like a Local
Observe how people in your host country and city live, where they eat, where they
shop, etc. If you live like a local rather than as a tourist, you are likely to save
money.
Student Discounts
Ask other students and the International Office at your host university of program
what kinds of discounts are out there for students. For example, many museums in Europe
have one day each week when students pay a discounted student rate rather than full
price. By keeping your ear to the ground and looking for students discounts, you could
save substantial money over the course of your time abroad. You can also buy an ISIC card, which has lots of discounts for students.
Travel Locally
Personal travel (during the course of a study abroad program or before/after the
program starts/ends) can cost students a lot. If you are trying to save money, you
might want to consider limiting your personal travel to the country in which you are
studying (or to a couple of nearby cities) rather than traveling to a large number
of neighboring countries. Many students reach the end of their study abroad program
and realize that, while they have seen much of an entire continent, they have not
fully explored their own host city and country. Save a lot of money by spending your
"personal travel" money and time getting to know the area where you are staying.
Budget Carefully
If you are studying abroad on limited funds, make a weekly or monthly budget and stick
to it! This website could be helpful as you're considering how to budget for everything.
Comparing Costs
On the brochure for each program you can find a comprehensive budget of estimated expenses for your study abroad program. Pay attention to the entire cost of attendance, which will give you the best sense of the actual difference in costs when you compare it with the cost of attending Texas Tech.
Additional Resources
Study Abroad
-
Address
601 Indiana Avenue, Lubbock, TX 79409 -
Phone
806.742.3667 -
Email
studyabroad@ttu.edu