One of the best experiences in my twenties was studying abroad. I watched with envy as friends would plan amazing trips to places like Spain, Japan, and England.
I wanted to go, too. So I did – but not until after I got my four-year degree. I was struggling to get through college and resorted to working in food services on my campus so that I could eat regularly. In fact, to this day, I rarely eat pizza because I made it so frequently in college.
I’ll be honest – traveling to Europe seemed surreal. I had friends who’d done it, but no one in my family had, so I had few resources as I started mapping out my plan. I had to start from “Point Zero.”
Let me be clear: there is huge long-term professional value in being able to travel during your university years and then to apply that experience towards your future work-related goals. Unfortunately, I didn’t know that when I was saving for my first trip.
I began working 70-hour weeks in retail, happily standing for eight hours a day – at least half of it on aching feet – so that I could earn money towards funding my goal of traveling to Europe.
I’m proud to say that after almost a year of asking random people if they would like to use cash or credit and wearing my smiley face, I had enough to buy a ticket to my dream destination. This first in an eventual succession of trips to Europe changed my life.
If you’re currently a university student and would like to study abroad, there are some things you should consider when planning your first trip.
Traveling abroad is not just for rich people — everybody can do it. But if you’re not rich, there are several key components to planning your trip.
Time
How much time do you realistically have to take a trip abroad? As a student, you have a number of different options that include micro-programs (one to three weeks), semester abroad opportunities, and a full-year abroad programs.
Resources
Speak with your academic advisor and your school’s study abroad office to discover what programs will award you credit towards your degree. The length of time will also have a direct impact on how much you pay. Remember that you will have to factor in the costs of your transportation, food, housing, tuition, passport (if you don’t have one), and emergency fund – not to mention budgeting for fun activities and miscellaneous expenses.
Cost
If you are in school right now and would like to travel abroad next semester or next year, you have to act quickly. Start looking at scholarship possibilities and grants, and see if family members can help pay for certain components of your trip. You may even be able to get mileage points from a relative and cut down on travel costs. Increase your work hours and speak to your student-aid advisor to determine whether your current or future aid package can be applied towards a study abroad program.
Options Outside of School
For those of you who aren’t in school right now, don’t worry, there are still many ways for you to achieve your dream of discovering the world.
For example, you may want to consider enrolling in a privately run foreign language school. Many of those schools provide the micro programs that I mentioned before. You just need to Google your country of interest and the phrase “language schools” and typically several will pop up as you search. Look for websites that include the breakdown of costs, and the ability to connect with the school and ask questions directly to the school administration.
You may wonder if the 70-hour weeks, missing out on fun, and saving like crazy was worth it?
Yes! As long as there is no mention of pizza.
- Talk to people who have traveled abroad and ask them what their best travel tips would be.
- Go to the library and do your research.
- Decide if the program is not only fun, but moves you forward in your career goals.
- Will you need to communicate in a foreign language?
- Are you comfortable being outside your comfort zone?
- Studying in a foreign country is within your reach. Don’t forget to order your passport as soon as possible.
