You don’t have to break the bank to study abroad. In some cases, studying abroad in another country is cheaper than staying on your home campus, and you can use your financial aid. There is usually the case in countries where the cost of living is low, like Ecuador, Mexico, Costa Rica, Philippines, Thailand, and China.
In some other countries where the cost of living is higher, public institutions don’t charge undergraduate tuition, only a small nominal fee (if you study in the language of instruction). These include Germany, France, and the Nordic countries of Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, and Iceland. In Norway, you can actually get a Master’s or PhD at virtually no cost, taught in English; however, you will have to pay transportation and living expenses.
If you want to study in English, you can do so inexpensively in the Czech Republic (around €3,800). There are also a growing number of English-taught graduate programs in France. College Abroad by Holly Oberle is a great resource for anyone considering a high quality degree abroad without the cost of the United States, the most expensive higher education in the world.
Don’t let money stop you from studying abroad. Doing so will set you apart from other students and give you a cutting edge when you graduate and start looking for a job. Not to mention, living in another country can change your whole life. I’m a perfect example.
By Wendy Williamson, international education consultant, nomad mother, and author of Love Evil: To Whom my Heart Falls Prey and Study Abroad 101