Naa Songs
A dream of many young people and students, the exchange is synonymous with learning and the possibility of getting to know new languages and cultures. The trip, however, involves expenses with the course, accommodation, food and other items of your daily life. To enjoy the period with peace of mind and on budget, check out 10 tips to save money during your trip!
Planning
Based on your monthly income, it is possible to plan compatible expenses. The tip is to set up a table separating the essential items from the non-essential, noting the amount that should be left over for emergencies or unforeseen events.
This is a simple method, particularly for students who normally have a smaller amount to spend on site. It is worth remembering that this table can be made even before arriving at the study destination, from the moment the housing and educational institution are decided.
Food
One of the items that most generate expenses for international students is food. An efficient way to find out the average amount of money invested and calculating every day, for a week, what the values of the restaurants and ingredients were.
If you are staying in a house, it is interesting to gather some friends and have meals without leaving home, in order to reduce expenses. With the money saved, you can take the opportunity to try without worrying about typical dishes of the region, or the most famous restaurants.
Another tip for students is to take their lunch or snacks to the educational institution instead of buying them every day. Some places offer meals for free – however, there are those who do not have this advantage, which makes their expenses increase considerably.
Home
It is often worth investing a greater amount in a house that is close to the place of study and/or work, than saving in this regard and having to spend much more on transport. In addition, it is a guarantee of safety, as it is not necessary to travel so much to reach destinations.
In all situations it is important to research housing alternatives. For those looking for a university exchange, many institutions offer rooms for students to live on campus. There is also the possibility of staying in native houses or sharing an apartment with other international students.
Transport
The cheapest is to use local public transport, which tend to give easy access to all regions of the place, especially when it comes to large cities and capitals. In addition, many countries offer an excellent infrastructure for cyclists to move around, a means of transport that helps the environment – and also to have a healthier life.
Know your region
So that you can find the best prices in the region where you live, it is best to take a day to get to know it. Exploring all the trade and service options on foot is one of the most effective ways, allowing you to find good options and prices.
Discount cards
In several countries you can find discount cards in international stores, restaurants and services. This is a very simple way to plan your purchases without spending more than your budget allows, so that, in the long run, the amount saved can be invested in other segments.
In addition, there are group buying sites that work in other countries, and can help. They provide daily tips and promotions for you to explore the place without spending too much. The large supermarket chains in the region can also offer great discounts, especially when shopping online.
Student discounts
One of the benefits of being a student – “college student”- is that shops, markets and restaurants located in the vicinity of your university can have partnerships with it, offering all its students discounts and special promotions. Therefore, before making purchases, it is important to find out if your institution has an agreement with the shops in the region.
Another way is to use discount cards for international students, which can also be accepted in stores, restaurants and services in general.
Alternatives
To keep the budget, another tip, is to always look for cheaper alternatives. Brands, cafes, restaurants and markets that offer lesser-known products – but with high quality – are good for your pocket compared to others. So you can also explore, experiment and discover new possibilities.
Fun
The fun moments should also be well planned so that there are no unwanted surprises and exorbitant expenses. If you want to go out with friends, remember that many bars and restaurants offer happy hour; therefore, it is important to check the days and times when the promotions take place.
Before leaving, thinking about locomotion is essential. Therefore, obtaining information about the opening hours of the city’s trains, subways and buses is necessary. Keep an eye on the clock too, as taking advantage of the latest public transport trips is cheaper than a taxi, for example.
Just enough
It sounds cliché, but during the exchange, cutting unnecessary and superfluous expenses is essential so that your budget is not tight. More than that, the economy can be decisive so that, later, you can invest in tours, visit other regions or nearby countries during your days off.
