Dollars & Sense

By Stacey Woody Thebodo
Assistant Director, Off-Campus Study at Middlebury College

Keep in mind that the amount of money you spend ultimately depends on the lifestyle you choose. One returned study abroad student noted, “I would even make a direct relationship here: the less money you spend, the better the experience. The more money you spend, the more you alienate yourself from the experience and miss a main point of the program.”

You should budget extra if you are planning to travel before or after your program. Plane tickets are often more expensive than in the U.S., but train and bus travel has remained relatively inexpensive in many countries. If you are a big spender in the U.S., bringing more money would be a good idea. Students who plan to regularly sample the nightlife of their host city should budget extra money for taxis.

Remember, if you are receiving any form of financial aid that will be contributing to the cost of your program, it may take several weeks (or more) after the start of your program in order for the financial aid to be processed and the funds sent to you; be sure to take enough money to last you for the first month or two until the financial aid arrives.

Be sure to budget for the following potential expenses:

• tuition
• room/housing
• meals (board)
• university fees
• study abroad fee
• airfare
• transportation in country
• passport/visa
• immunizations/preventive medicines
• books and supplies
• communication costs (phone, e-mail, postage)
• health insurance
• taxes
• clothes
• gifts
• recreation and travel
• expenses for any breaks
• personal expenses