Worth of Study Abroad Students

Free Study Abroad Guide

Study abroad students during studying an out of state community college, universities and meet new people change the way of thinking and get different meaningful experiences of the world.

Studying abroad is a great way for students to have those experiences and learn how other countries operate and grow. But traveling for study abroad is very expensive. A recent Forbes article stated that the average cost per semester abroad is $31,270, about twice the cost of a private college in the U.S.

As student loan debt totals now exceed credit card debt totals, it’s not hard to see why international travel might seem like an unreasonable expense. However, the benefits of studying abroad can have a life long impact on personal and professional growth.

Abroad organizations can be a great resource for securing additional funds to bridge the gap between the cost of studying abroad and what each college or university offers in the form of financial aid, and many serve specific audiences. The Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE) is a resource that offers grants and scholarship money to student candidates. CIEE awards more than $3 million annually to study-abroad students who meet the eligibility requirements. Another financially responsible option is to choose a country that has a low cost of living.

freestudyabroadguide.com ranked India, Ghana and China as the top three budget-friendly countries for students in 2013. Any student who is studying abroad should also take inventory of what’s in their wallet. For example, credit card companies will charge foreign exchange fees for every purchase made. After a semester, these charges can significantly add up. Another card that can be helpful to students is the International Student Identity Card, which offers international students perks, discounts and benefits in 130 countries.