Budgeting for study abroad

Whether you are participating in a faculty-led J-term program or venturing out on your own with a partner program, costs are the biggest barrier for students wanting to study abroad. 

Consider all of the following potential costs when deciding on a study abroad program. This is not an exhaustive list, but a good starting point when budgeting. 

Preparing for study abroad

1. Program fees. Every study abroad program has a program fee. You can find this on each program page in our study abroad portal to get a sense of estimated program fees and what’s included.
2. Clothing and equipment. Think about the location and the type of program you are going on to determine if you need to purchase new attire ahead of time. If you are doing an internship program, will you need to buy work clothes? If you are doing a STEM program, will you need to by specialized gear or equipment?
3. Phone service. Depending on your service provider, you may need to purchase an international phone plan or a sim card or e-sim, or buy/rent a phone in-country.
4. Doctor’s visits. It is advised that students schedule routine doctors’ visits before their program and to discuss a care plan for travelling and living abroad with all of their medical and mental support professionals. 

Travel costs

1. Passport. There are fees associated with obtaining a passport for the first time and for renewal. There is also an additional fee for expedited services.
2. Visa. Some countries require a visa to enter the country, particularly if you are participating in a longer program. Most countries will charge a visa fee, and you will be required to either mail in or travel to a consulate to submit your student visa application, which will also incur either mailing fees or travel expenses.
3. Luggage. If this is your first big trip, you may want to purchase luggage such as a suitcase or duffle bag. Don’t forget about potential baggage fees from the airline you will use as well.
4. Airfare. Consider not only the flight ticket, but the transportation costs to the airport and possible hotel & food costs during layovers. You may also need to pay for transportation from the airport to your program site. 

While abroad

1. Housing. For some longer programs, you might have to pay for housing directly. This could include rent, a deposit, utilities, and bedding rentals. Some programs require a lump sum payment before the program beings, while others allow monthly payments during the duration of the program. You should also consider other living costs like laundry, toiletries, and other supplies you may need at home.
2. Meals. Some programs include meals, while other require you to purchase a meal plan or be in charge of buying groceries and cooking meals on your own.
3. Local transportation. Depending on how far your housing is from campus, you may need to purchase a transportation pass or rent a bike for daily transportation. You will probably want to do some traveling around the host country, so you should consider bus and train fares as well.
4. Health insurance. Although Augustana College provides students with emergency medical and travel insurance (EIIA) at no additional cost, some countries require students to enroll in a national or university student insurance in-country. In these cases, students will be responsible for paying monthly premiums.
5. Class supplies. Just like at Augustana, these costs will vary depending on the type of classes you take abroad.
6. Residence permit. Some countries require students to obtain a residence permit or other registration in-country, which also has a fee.
7. Foreign transaction fees. If you will use your credit card abroad, you may be charged foreign transaction fees. Your card issuer may also charge a fee for ATM withdrawals abroad.
8. Personal expenses. Personal expenses can cover a wide range of costs, including shopping, entertainment, going out to eat, and traveling. Being in a new and exciting place, you may spend more on personal expenses than you would back home.