College is a great time to explore yourself and learn new things about the world. Thus, studying abroad is one of the best ways to get out there and find yourself without spending too much money. A lot of people won’t even consider studying abroad because they believe it might be too much money or perhaps it might be a little too intimidating. This isn’t the case though! Sure, there’s a lot of things you may need to purchase when you go abroad, but with a few easy to follow steps you may end up spending less on your time abroad then you would at your actual college. These ten tips will work to help you find a happy balance between your goals of studying abroad and your financial restrictions. Now, you can actually plan out the trip of a lifetime and embrace something new!

1. Go Through Your College
If you’re already in a college then you’ve made a step in the right direction without even knowing it! Most colleges will have a study abroad section. Many people will bypass this office in the hall thinking it is meant for students that are exchange students within the school. Although this is true it is also there to help students travel abroad. Depending on your college, there is a good chance the school has plans made out with other schools from around the world. This will give you an opportunity to connect to so many different countries that you might spend a full semester deciding where you want to go. If your school doesn’t have an abroad program they will have the resources to connect you with an out of school program, like the U.S.A.C. (University Studies Abroad Consortium). These types of programs will allow you to easily transfer into an abroad school while still receiving financial aid and loads like were you still in your school. These programs will also providing you housing and support during your time abroad.

2. Look for Grants
With the price of college so high a lot of students rely on grants to help them pay for college. While you’re studying abroad you should be able to qualify for many of the grants that you get in your basic financial aid kit. Of course, if you’re willing to look a bit harder there should be even more grants for you to help fund your time abroad. In fact, the federal government actually offers a grant specifically for college students seeking financial help while abroad. The grant has very little requirement, but does have a tendency to run out of funds so make sure to apply as soon as you know you’re going to be going abroad. There’s a bit of paperwork with this grant, but if you sign up in time you’ll be a little less stressed out when paying your tuition bills. There’s a lot of other grants available that could help you find some financial relief, but they take a bit of looking. If you’re unsure of the steps you need to be taking then make sure to talk to your financial counselor.

3. Know Your Currency
Before you choose a place to spend your next semester you may want to consider the currency difference. This does go up and down a lot, but with a little monitoring you should have a pretty good idea as to what the currency rate might be while you’re abroad. Some countries the dollar will be worth a lot more, which is where you’ll end up spending less money. However, if you travel to Great Britain, Europe or a select number of other countries you could be paying double for everything you buy. This will really make you think twice about the little things while you’re abroad, so be careful because no one wants to spend $3 on a candy bar, right? If this is a major concern for you try to concentrate on countries that have a rate that is almost equal or less than the value of the dollar. You’ll have more freedom this way and won’t have to feel guilty for your junk good cravings.

4. Global ATM Alliance
When you go abroad there’s a good chance your bank is going to charge you a heavier fee for taking out money. You may even be charged a little more for using your credit or debit card while you’re abroad. These fees can add up so fast your head will be spinning before you even hit mid terms. Instead of blindly going into the country and using the card you should try to join the Global ATM Alliance. This service will make a deal with your bank or direct you to a bank that will stop the ATM charges. This will allow you to pull out money while you’re abroad without having to spend an extra $5 to $10 every time you run out of cash. With the lack of fees in your life you should be able to live more freely and enjoy some of the culture around you.

5. Dine In
Although there’s a whole lot of great cultural food for you to experience, it might be wise to dine in as much as you possibly can. Yes, you’re going to be busy with your school work, making new friends and seeing new things, but eating how can get you in just as much trouble as it would at home. When you get to your destination you should ask around to find out where locals pick up fresh fruits and vegetables. These are easy on the go meals and can create tasty meals when you’re entertaining friends. Not to mention, eating fresh while you’re abroad will keep you healthier. You should also ask where the best place to shop for groceries is. Just like in your home town there should be a few choices, but one store usually stands out when it comes to savings. When you find your best destination for shopping you should try to buy generic or store brand products as much as possible. This will still give you a chance to shop for local items, but will keep spending to a minimum. Once you make friends with some locals invite them over so they can show you how to create some of their favorite foods. Of course, this doesn’t mean you can’t or shouldn’t eat out at all while you’re abroad. Every once in awhile splurge as it will actually help you save money in the long run. It will also give you a taste of the culture so you can feel inspired to whip up some of your new favorite foods.

6. Enjoy Happy Hour
One of the hardest things for a lot of college students to cut back on is drinking. This is a big part of college life and a huge cultural aspect of many cultures. Before you go out drinking make sure you know the proper age, as you don’t want to get in trouble with the other country’s laws. Although you should avoid excessive drinking for your general health and budget, there is a time and a place to let loose and have some fun with your new friends. If you’re planning on going out then try to plan around happy hour. Most places with have these times posted up so you won’t have to go to great lengths to find out when you can get cheaper drinks and food. In some countries you may even get free appetizers when you go drinking, so this could easily help cut the costs of a meal. You might also want to consider buying pitchers of beer with friends. This will allow everyone to chip in while saving the whole group a bit of money.

7. Transit Pass
When you go abroad you might find yourself in a whole new world when in comes to transit. In a country that relies heavily on cars, it might seem frightening to have to figure out how to get from point A to point B using trains, trollies and buses. In most countries you will find very good public transportation though, so don’t stress out as it won’t take long to get the hang of things. When you get to your country you should buy a transit pass as soon as possible. This will help cut the cost of daily traveling. Usually you can get a pass for a very good deal that could even last your full semester. Make sure you show your student I.D. Card too as this will ensure you’ll get a discount. A lot of students might be tempted to rent a car during the duration of the trip, but it is important to step into the culture of the country you’re in and enjoy their way of doing things. It will also save you a lot of money and teach you something new when you decide to use transit.

8. Host Family
If its your first time away from home or you’re just feeling a little insecure about going abroad then you might want to consider getting a host family. This will allow you to stay in a home with a family rather than living on your own in a dorm. These families will typically provide you with a room and will charge you room and board. Generally this cost doesn’t compare to living on your own and will also ensure you have food, water and all of the basics needed to keep up with your studies. Staying with a host family with submerge you in the culture faster and may even help you find a second family to visit with as the years pass.

9. International Student I.D.
If there’s one card you should always keep on you when you’re abroad its this special international identification card. This card not only allows people to know who you are, in case of an emergency, but it will unlock a world of discounts for you. You may be surprised as to all of the places that recognize this card. From shopping for groceries to taking in a movie, you will be able to enjoy plenty of freebies and discounts that will help your finances and keep you happy while you’re away from home. This card doesn’t cost more than $20, but some programs will actually offer it to your for free. Make sure you ask everywhere you visit if they accept your card as it can significantly cut travel costs as well as other major expenses you’ll have to bear while abroad.

10. Consider tuition costs
It seems like tuition costs are always rising in this country, which is a major problem for most students. Although prices are on the increase in this country, they are still lower or moderate in other countries. This might be a huge factor to look at before you go abroad. Countries who offer lower tuition rates, even for exchange students might help save you money on your actual degree. While you’re paying the cost of the foreign country’s tuition you’re still gathering credits that will help you graduate from your more expensive home college. If at all possible, try to choose courses that will transfer nicely to your home college. This will cut out a lot of the must have courses for your degree at a price that won’t make your graduation date as bittersweet. You may find, by the end of your trip, that studying abroad actually saved you some money.

The desire to travel is something a lot of people never get the chance to act on. By studying abroad you’ll be able to broaden your education while gaining some valuable life experiences in the meantime. No matter what you do or where you go, this experience will leave you with a lifetime of memories.