Preparing to study abroad can be stressful. For many reasons, you may be feeling pressured or nervous. Tuition is expensive, and you’ll also have to pay for meals, study materials, transportation, health insurance, and a variety of other charges. Even the exchange rate between currencies can be a source of stress. If you don’t have enough money, you might want to consider getting a student loan, which may only add to the pressure.
Every year, though, millions of international college students attend overseas institutions. You might be wondering how to save money if you’re having trouble budgeting while transitioning to a new culture and school. To assist you, we’ve compiled a list of budgeting tips.
List Your Expenses
It’s critical to set up a budget based on your income and spending. The most straightforward approach to do this is to categorize your spending into ‘essential’ and ‘non-essential’. You need to include essential costs like rent or university housing into your budget, but you can skip on some non-essential expenses like going to the movies. Doing this will help you in calculating your revenue and expenses over a specific period.
Consider Free Student Services
There are certain things you don’t have to pay for. Student residents, for example, are exempt from paying Council Tax if the only people living there are full-time university students. Medical prescriptions are also available for free. If you get an approved application, you’ll be able to obtain free medicines. Dental treatment and eye examinations follow the same procedure.
Find a Part-Time Job
You may be able to work part-time while studying, depending on your visa status. International college students can usually work up to 20 hours per week throughout the semester and full-time during vacations and semester breaks (if they’re allowed). This might be an excellent way to boost your income and help you pay for your everyday costs.
Consider Emergency Situations
It would be reasonable if you always had some cash on hand in case of an emergency. You’ll need to rely on that additional cash if you become sick or break a tooth. You should set aside at least 10% of your monthly budget toward an emergency fund.
Use Budgeting Apps
Since there’s an app for almost everything these days, you can find and use a reliable money management app to help you keep a tight budget by tracking your expenditures. Several applications can assist you in keeping track of your spending and saving. All of your accounts can be controlled in one place, ensuring your bills are paid on time.
Find a Roommate
Having roommates in college is almost a requirement. Hence, if you intend on living on your own, you may be in for a much more expensive scenario. Of course, living with roommates may be difficult in and of itself, but the cost savings make it worthwhile.
However, having roommates isn’t the only way to save money on accommodation. Setting aside cash for food and household basics such as toiletries and cleaning supplies might help you be more responsible with your money.
Use International College Student Loans
Although they may appear to be a fantastic opportunity, remember that repaying overseas student loans can be stressful for students. Obtaining an international college student loan should be your last resort if you need more cash. We recommend you start by looking for financial help and scholarships from schools and other organizations.
Bottom Line
Maintaining a budget while studying might be challenging, especially if you’re studying in a foreign country. The most significant financial part of a student’s life is budgeting. It’s essential to think about how, when, and where you’ll spend your money.
However, in some circumstances, receiving money from your own country is an absolute necessity. You can utilise Lycaremit’s services if you need your parents to send you funds. Just sign up and allow Lycaremit to make it easier for you to get access to cash quickly at highly competitive rates.
