Saving Money by Studying Abroad: A Case for the Independent International Student

While institutions are doing more to make studying abroad more accessible, there are still barriers-to-entry for many students wishing to spend time abroad. Organized programs are often prohibitively expensive, and can be limited and inflexible when it comes to course offerings and travel opportunities.  Studying abroad independently is a viable option for students interested in gaining international experience while saving money and curating an experience to meet their specific needs and desires. I wanted to study abroad in college but wasn’t able to find a program that matched my academic interests and was affordable. By studying abroad as an independent, international student, I crafted an experience that fit my interests and not only was affordable, but saved me money overall. For students who wish to spend time abroad but aren’t able to access institutionally-based programs, the method I used may be an effective alternative. 

Here’s what I did:

Step 1: Explore – It took time to orient myself to the vastness of the world and figure out where I wanted to go. I considered climate, language, distance from home and thought long and hard about what I wanted to get out of the experience. Ultimately, I decided I wanted to learn about international collaboration, study a new language and enjoy the sun. My answer: Thailand. 

Thailand was a great choice – bonus, the food is amazing. My friend Pi Kwan’s noodle shop above. 

Step 2. Research – Thanks to the internet, this part was easy. I read up on universities in Thailand and checked out the course offerings, tuition rates and admissions requirements. I found a university in Bangkok that had active study abroad programs hosting students from around the world. 

Step 3. Figure Out Finances – Budget Time! I sat down with my family and figured out what I could reasonably afford. The study abroad programs at my local college were pricey, but thanks to being an independent student, I was able to make my own choices about housing and travel.  By working, saving and my family kicking in where they could, I set aside a few thousand dollars - enough to study in Bangkok. One thing I wish I’d known at the time – federal student loans can often be used for studying abroad! 

Fruit stand in Bangkok, where snacks are usually 20baht (less than a dollar) – helping me stay healthy and on-budget! 

Step 4. Apply – I emailed to ask if they’d accept an American student as an independent student, sent along the required documents (transcript, resume, the basics) and got my acceptance letter. As a bonus – they agreed to charge me the local tuition rate, which ended up saving me a lot of money. More on that later.

Step 5. Get the Right Insurance & Visa – With the acceptance letter, getting a student visa wasn’t hard, mainly just paperwork. Insurance worked out as well, my host institution covered me as an international student. Had this not been an option, I would’ve opted for travel insurance, and still chose to pay out of pocket for some vaccines once I got to Bangkok instead of getting them in the United States – my American insurance wouldn’t cover them. That move saved me hundreds of dollars, which offset the cost of weekend trips to the beach and up-country. Win-win. 

Step 6. Find Housing – While I could’ve made better use of social media in my housing search (Facebook can be a great way to find housing before moving abroad, I’ve done it since!) I was able to find housing the week I arrived in Bangkok. I rented a room in a house near my school with Thai women and children. It was basic compared to the dorms the other international students stayed in, but my language skills improved dramatically, I had a built-in safety network and made amazing friendships. Besides, who needs hot water when it’s 85F outside and your rent is $60/month? 

Best friend in Bangkok, Ton – we met when we were 17 and are still friends today.

Step 7. Transfer Credits Back – Flash Forward – I had an amazing time and was packing to go home. Before leaving Bangkok, I grabbed a few copies of my transcript and syllabi, and sent them off to a credit evaluation agency. I used ECE, which charged $160 to evaluate 21 credits from 7 classes. With my credit evaluation, my home-institution accepted 5 classes, which translated into 22.5 American credits. 22.5 credits at home would’ve cost me $10,000, but I’d paid $2,500 in Thailand, so even with the $160 fee, I’d saved over $7,000. 

Studying abroad independently opened doors for me I never knew existed. First of all, it made study abroad possible, and I saved so much money compared to studying in the United States, I ended up completing half of my undergraduate degree abroad. Beyond the cost savings, going through the process of organizing my own experience also prepared me to navigate the world in creative, resourceful ways. It opened my mind to the world and gave me both the courage to get out there, and the maturity to appreciate what I was met with. At 17 I was living in Bangkok, studying politics, practicing Thai, traveling on the weekends and learning every day. Sure, I wasn’t partying with the other international students and missed my high school prom – but I was happy to be doing something different. As we move into 2020, it is my hope that more students than ever are able to study abroad, and that doing so independently creates opportunities for students who may not have had the option otherwise.  

Bio of Liz D’Amelio

Liz D’Amelio is a Boston-based Social Worker specializing in global mental health practice. Before coming to Boston, she worked in Bangladesh, Myanmar and the United States in educational settings. In her current role, she is the Chief Research Officer for Generation Mental Health, where she is working to build capacity for workforce development in global mental health.  https://www.generationmentalhealth.org/