How To Study Abroad On A Budget

In the Fall of 2019, I had one of the best experiences of my life — I studied abroad with USAC Ghana! I made many friends, saw the world, and even graduated early because of it! In my decision-making process and planning, one thing was always on my mind: How would I afford this?

I relied on grants, scholarships, loans, and work throughout college. I knew studying abroad would be a significant financial commitment, but I worked to figure out how I would pay for it. I wanted to avoid being stuck in a foreign country with no money to live or have fun. For someone who is low-income and doesn’t have family who has ever left the country, it was a leap of faith that I would be well prepared for the most extended, farthest trip of my life.

I had a substantial financial incentive to study abroad: I could graduate a quarter early with the credits I earned from the semester abroad. When I heard that if I saved for the next year and invested in studying abroad, I would save so much time and money in the end!

I had to be smart about where I went. I thought I would go to Ireland, but after one look at the price, I changed my mind. It’s a decision I wouldn’t change for the world. You don’t have to study in an expensive, Western country.

For those in the same boat as I was and who are worried about the financials of studying abroad, look no further! I am here to explain how much I spent and how I funded my trip.

1. Working

Most of my money came from working. I had an on-campus work-study that covered my bills while in school, but I needed to cover expenses while abroad. My second job was cleaning houses around Seattle, so I spent my sophomore year taking on more clients.

2. Odd Jobs

I’d always check classifieds, Care.com, and NextDoor to see if anyone needed help around the house with yard work, babysitting, tutoring, or even meal prepping! I mostly did housekeeping, though!

3. Participate in Research Studies

Seattle is a hub for market and scientific research. I made anywhere from $15 an hour to $300 for a two-hour visit for some of the studies.

The University of Washington is known for paying healthy volunteers to participate in research. Or, if you have a condition that they are researching, then there may be opportunities for that too. The visits were worth it, with only a 30-minute ride on public transportation.

There are also great opportunities with market research companies that compensate you for your time and input. I really liked Q Analysts, Experis Research, and most of all, testing out video games at Microsoft!

4. Scholarships

A huge chunk of my funding comes from scholarships. I was constantly looking for identity-based and location-based scholarships in my spare time.

One that really made me live comfortably during the trip was the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship. It comes from the federal government to help students in need expand their minds by interacting with cultures in other countries. The scholarship granted me $2,000 to help cover my passport, pay for my visa, meals, yellow fever vaccine, and program fees.

Also, if you choose to study with a specific program (which I highly recommend), they may have scholarships available. I was able to cover part of my housing and a cultural trip they planned with the extra money they gave me. USAC gave me some granted me additional funds that helped me pay for my room on campus.

5. Get A Remote Internship/Fellowship

While abroad, I benefited from getting an extra cash flow by doing a virtual fellowship. I secured it during my first month in Ghana and had to dedicate 10 hours a week to it. The stipend I got for participating helped me survive.

Always check Indeed, LinkedIn, Job boards, or the “Careers/Internships” page on a non-profit organization’s website.

- Adilia

SU-Sponsored Program - USAC Study in Accra - Accra, Ghana - Fall 2019