Introduction
Have you ever dreamed of going to school in a different country? It sounds super cool, right? You get to see new places, learn about new cultures, and meet people from all over the world. But sometimes, people think it costs a lot of money. Guess what? It doesn’t have to! There are lots of ways to study in another country without using up all your savings.
This blog post will tell you about some of the best and cheapest places for students from other countries to study. We’ll also talk about ways to save money so you can have an amazing adventure without worrying too much about the cost.
Why Study in Another Country? (Even If You Don’t Have Lots of Money!)
Going to school in a different country can change your life in a good way. Here are some reasons why it’s awesome, even if you don’t have a huge budget:
- See New Places: You can visit famous things, learn about different ways of life, and meet people who grew up in other cultures.
- Learn New Stuff: You might get to take classes that aren’t offered in your home country and learn from teachers who teach in a different way.
- Become More Grown-Up: You’ll learn to take care of yourself, become more flexible, and feel more sure of yourself.
- Help Your Future Job: Having studied in another country can make your resume look really good to people who are hiring.
- Learn a New Language: If you go to a country where they speak a different language, you’ll get better at it just by being there.
- Make Friends Around the World: You’ll meet people from different countries, and you can stay friends with them for a long time.
What Makes Studying Abroad Not So Expensive?
Some study abroad programs don’t cost as much because of a few things:
- Cheaper School Fees: The schools in some countries don’t charge as much money for international students to go there.
- It Doesn’t Cost as Much to Live There: In some countries, things like your room, food, and getting around don’t cost as much money.
- Money You Can Get (Scholarships): There are groups and schools that give money to students to help them study in other countries.
- School Swaps (Exchange Programs): Sometimes, your school at home has a deal with a school in another country. You can go to that school and still pay your regular school fees at home.
- Short Trips: You could go for a shorter time, like just for the summer. That usually costs less than going for a whole year.
- Everything Included: Some programs give you your school fees, room, and even some food all for one price, which can help you plan your money better.
Cool Countries Where Studying Abroad Can Be Cheaper
Here are some countries that are known for having good schools that don’t cost a ton of money for international students:
1. Germany
- Why It’s Not So Pricey: The schools that are run by the government in Germany often don’t charge any school fees for students from other countries who are getting their first degree or even a master’s degree. You usually just have to pay a small fee each semester for things like using the buses and for the school to run.
- How Much It Costs to Live There: Big cities like Munich can be a bit expensive, but other cities are cheaper to live in (around $900 to $1300 a month).
- Good Things to Study: Things like building stuff (engineering), computers, business, and history.
2. Norway
- Why It’s Not So Pricey: If you go to a public school in Norway, you usually don’t have to pay any school fees, no matter where you’re from. This is for most of their programs.
- How Much It Costs to Live There: Living in Norway can cost more money than in some other places (around $17,200 a year). But because the school is free, it can still be a good deal.
- Good Things to Study: Things about nature (environmental science), ways to make clean energy, building stuff, and business.
3. Taiwan
- Why It’s Not So Pricey: The school fees in Taiwan are usually not very high, and the schools are really good. It also doesn’t cost as much to live there compared to many countries in the West.
- How Much It Costs to Live There: You might be able to find a room for around $2,900 a year. Overall, it might cost you about $726 to $940 a month to live there.
- Good Things to Study: Building stuff, business, medicine, and computers.
4. Poland
- Why It’s Not So Pricey: Going to school in Poland is usually cheaper than in many other countries in Europe, and it doesn’t cost as much to live there either.
- How Much It Costs to Live There: You might spend about $430 to $750 a month to live there.
- Good Things to Study: Building stuff, medicine, business, and history.
5. Hungary
- Why It’s Not So Pricey: The school fees in Hungary aren’t too high, and it’s not too expensive to live there, especially if you don’t live in the main city, Budapest. They also have some money you can get to help pay for school (scholarships).
- How Much It Costs to Live There: You might spend about $430 to $750 a month to live there.
- Good Things to Study: Medicine, building stuff, business, and art.
6. Mexico
- Why It’s Not So Pricey: School fees in Mexico are lower, and it doesn’t cost as much to live there compared to the USA and Canada. The schools run by the government can be really cheap.
- How Much It Costs to Live There: In the big cities, it might cost you about $600 to $1000 a month to live. It can be cheaper in smaller places.
- Good Things to Study: Learning Spanish, things about Latin America, business, and tourism.
7. Argentina
- Why It’s Not So Pricey: If you go to a public school in Argentina, you usually don’t have to pay any school fees as an international student. It’s also not very expensive to live there.
- How Much It Costs to Live There: You might be able to live comfortably for $700 to $1000 a month.
- Good Things to Study: Things about society, books, medicine, and building stuff.
8. India
- Why It’s Not So Pricey: The school fees in India are very low, and it doesn’t cost a lot of money to live there compared to many other countries.
- How Much It Costs to Live There: You might be able to live on $500 to $800 a month.
- Good Things to Study: Building stuff, computers, business, and history.
9. Turkey
- Why It’s Not So Pricey: The schools run by the government in Turkey usually have low school fees, and it’s also not too expensive to live there.
- How Much It Costs to Live There: You might spend about $400 to $600 a month to live there.
- Good Things to Study: Building stuff, business, things about society, and history.
10. Malaysia
- Why It’s Not So Pricey: The school fees in Malaysia are usually not very high, and it doesn’t cost as much to live there compared to other popular places to study in Asia.
- How Much It Costs to Live There: You might spend about $450 to $600 a month to live there.
- Good Things to Study: Building stuff, business, and computers.
How to Find Study Abroad Programs That Don’t Cost Too Much
Here are some ways to look for study abroad programs that are easier on your wallet:
- Talk to the Study Abroad People at Your School: They can tell you about programs where you can go and not have to pay extra school fees.
- Look at School Websites in Cheaper Countries: Go to the websites of the schools in the countries we just talked about.
- Use Websites That List Study Abroad Programs: Websites like GoAbroad.com and StudyAbroad.com have lists of programs, and you can often sort them by how much they cost.
- Look for Money You Can Get (Scholarships): Many groups and schools give money to international students. We’ll talk more about this next!
Getting Money to Help: Scholarships and Financial Aid
Don’t let the thought of money stop you from studying abroad! There are lots of ways to get help paying for it:
- Money From Governments: Some countries give money to international students to come study there (like Germany and Taiwan).
- Money From Schools: Check the websites of the schools you want to go to. They often have money just for students from other countries.
- Groups That Give Money: Websites like Mastersportal.com and GoAbroad.com have big lists of scholarships for studying in other countries.
- Money for Students from the USA: There are groups that give money to students from the USA who want to study abroad, especially if they don’t have a lot of money.
- Money for Studying in Europe: There’s a program that gives money to students who want to get their master’s or Ph.D. in Europe.
- Money for Studying in the UK: The UK has some programs that give full money to students who want to get their master’s there.
- Money for Students from Certain Countries (in the UK): If you come from certain countries, you might be able to get money to study in the UK.
Tips for Asking for Money (Applying for Scholarships):
- Start Early: You need to apply for money way before you go.
- Read the Rules: Make sure you can actually get the money.
- Write a Good Story: Tell them why you want to study abroad and why you deserve the money.
- Ask People Who Know You Well: Get teachers or mentors to write letters for you.
- Apply for Lots of Them: The more you try for, the better your chances.
- Check Your Writing: Make sure you don’t have any mistakes.
Other Ways to Save Money While You’re There
- Live in Cheaper Places: Think about living in student dorms or sharing an apartment instead of getting your own place.
- Cook Your Own Food: Eating out all the time can cost a lot.
- Use Buses and Trains: They are usually cheaper than taxis or ride-sharing.
- Ask for Student Deals: Lots of places give discounts to students.
- Be Smart About Spending: Make a plan for your money and stick to it.
- Maybe Get a Part-Time Job (if your visa lets you): Some countries let international students work a little bit to help pay for things.
Your Big Trip Around the World Is Waiting!
Studying in another country doesn’t have to be just for rich people. If you choose the right place, find the cheaper programs, and try to get money to help, you can make your dream of studying abroad come true without spending all your money. Start looking today, and get ready for an amazing and affordable adventure!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – Easy Ways to Study in Another Country
Q: Can I really study in another country without paying any school fees? A: Yes, in some countries like Germany and Norway, the public schools often don’t charge international students for most programs. But you’ll still need money for living there.
Q: What are the usual things I’ll have to pay for when I study abroad? A: The main things are usually school fees (if you have to pay them), a place to live, food, getting around, health insurance, the paper you need to go to the country (visa), and your own fun money.
Q: How can I find out how much it costs to live in a certain country? A: There are websites that compare how much things cost in different cities around the world. You can also read blogs and talk to other students who have studied there.
Q: Should I also think about program fees besides the school fees? A: Yes, if you go through a special program to study abroad, they might have extra fees for things like helping you find a place to live and planning trips. Make sure you know the total cost.
Q: Are there special money-help programs for students from poorer countries? A: Yes, many groups give money to students from countries that don’t have a lot of money to help them study in other places.
Q: What is a school swap program, and how does it save me money? A: A school swap is when your school at home has a deal with a school in another country. You can go to the other school and just pay your regular fees to your school at home, which is usually cheaper than paying fees in the new country.
Q: Can I use the money my own country gives for school (financial aid) to study abroad? A: Sometimes, yes. If you’re from the USA, you might be able to use some of the money the government gives for school to study in another country. You should check with the people who give you money for school at home.
Q: Is it better to go through a program or just apply to a school in another country directly if I want to save money? A: Applying directly to a school in a country with low school fees can be the cheapest way. But programs can help you with things and sometimes have their own money to give. It’s good to look at both ways.
Q: How important is it to learn some of the language where I’m going if it’s a cheap place to study? A: Even if your classes are in English, knowing a little bit of the local language can make your experience much better, help you make friends, and maybe even save you money on things like food and getting around.
Q: What are some costs I might not think about when I plan to study abroad? A: Some costs you might forget are the fee for your visa, money for travel insurance, the books you need for class, fun things you want to do, your phone bill, and just having some extra money for when you don’t expect to need it. Make sure you add these to your budget.