Study abroad can be an expensive option for many students. Follow these tips if you want to study abroad on a shoestring budget.  

If you are a student studying abroad, you will probably have to live frugally for the duration of your studies. Cut down on all unnecessary expenses.

Here are some tips to help you study abroad on a shoestring budget.  These suggestions may seem a little extreme, but in these hard times, you need to be prudent.

Often your student visa will not permit you to get a job, but you may be able to offer to tutor in your native language.  That’s a great option for a student who is studying abroad on a shoestring budget.  Many people will jump at the opportunity to receive foreign language instruction from a native speaker.

If you are good at other subjects, such as mathematics or science, offer to tutor in those subjects also.  You can also offer services such as babysitting, cleaning people’s homes, or shopping for senior citizens.  These are also good ways to supplement the pocket money you get from your parents or your sponsor.

When you study abroad on a shoestring budget, you will probably have to do most of the meal preparations for yourself. This is a good cost reduction measure since eating out in restaurants is quite expensive in the long run especially if you do so for all your meals. “Doggie bags” and takeaways aren’t always an option either.  So learn how to cook and save some cash.

Doing things like laundry on your own instead of having someone do it for you is a good idea.  It will give you control over the quantity of detergent, bleach, and fabric softeners you will use and thus help you stick to your budget. Sharing a house or an apartment is a wonderful way to cut rent and other utility costs. This is very practical since you can rent out a three-bed room apartment.  You can turn the living room into an extra bedroom if possible.

This plan only works if you all roommates agree on some rules like who is cleaning when and when guests should be allowed in. For students with vehicles, it’s a good idea to consider car pooling to and from college or wherever you happen to go.

Cost sharing can be a great way to go if you all understand each other and come to an agreement. Look on the bright side, once you’ve completed college you will get a job and be in a better position to live a comfy life.

Okay, let's take a peak at financial aid and scholarships for study abroad.