The ISA JournalGoing Abroad on a Budget

Studying abroad can be pretty expensive, especially if you don’t have a plan when you arrive. The key to planning your budget is to set aside more for food than you expect and to try to have some funds set aside for activities.

Food

One of the best ways to save money while abroad is to buy the majority of your food from a grocery store. However, this is not always as simple as it seems. For starters, you need to be able to plan ahead because the store near you may not be open or close early on certain days of the week, so you can’t always wait until you run out of something to go buy more.

Another barrier to relying on grocery shopping is that not all accommodations are created equal. Depending on where you’re staying, you may or may not have access to things like a fridge or kitchen. I’m currently staying in a dorm with access to a shared kitchen. However, cross-contamination is a large concern as someone with food allergies, so I don’t use it. This means that instead of buying food that needs to be cooked, I’ve been buying things like fresh fruit and breakfast bars. It’s not exactly gourmet cuisine, but it certainly saves a lot of money.

The reason I say to budget more for food is because you will inevitably end up eating out from time to time. Just how often is up to you, but getting dinner together is a great way to bond with other students in your program. Eating out can be pretty pricey depending on where you live, but it can be fun to explore a different neighborhood that has cheaper food.

Activities & Travel

Budgeting for activities tends to be a little trickier. Everyone has a different budget, which means some people will travel to other countries and areas every weekend while abroad, and others will not have the means to do so. I think it’s important for each student to evaluate which trips are most important to them so they can prioritize what they say yes or no to.

I understand that it can be difficult to stay behind while other people are constantly exploring. However, there’s probably a lot more to do in your hometown than you know. Instead of buying a train or plane ticket to another country, I suggest spending the day in the city! (Of course, there’s nothing wrong with wanting to stay home and relax for the weekend. Trust me, studying abroad is both exciting and exhausting at the same time. If you don’t choose a time for your body and mind to relax, it’ll choose for you.)

Being in Europe, it is especially tempting to go see other countries because they seem so close by. I have friends in my program who have gone to Luxembourg, Belgium, and Brussels on the weekends! I haven’t left France, but I’ve had just as many adventures. Instead of going all the way to Germany, my friends and I did a day trip to Strasbourg, France. It was perfect because we didn’t have to worry about finding and paying for a hotel, and it still felt like a whole new area!

It can be a bummer to feel like you’re missing out because you can’t afford to travel all the time. On the other hand, it gives you the opportunity to discover your own adventures that are more budget-friendly. I truly don’t feel sad about not visiting other countries because I got to visit places like Giverny, Strasbourg, and Buttes Chaumont instead!

Ultimately, studying abroad is about finding that balance between managing your money and making the most of your time in a new environment. By planning ahead, budgeting wisely, and staying open to local adventures, you can have a fulfilling experience without breaking the bank. Remember, the goal is to immerse yourself in the culture, build lasting memories, and make connections—whether it’s through sharing a meal with new friends or discovering new places in your host city.

Abigail Villacrusis is a student at Virginia Wesleyan University and an ISA Featured DEI Blogger. She is studying with ISA in Paris, France.