Real Advice for Study Abroad Part 8: How To Stretch Your In-Country Budget Further

I have found that living in, and properly experiencing, a new area while studying abroad is somewhat of a balancing act; with so much to see and do, and only so much cash to go around.

However, during my stay in New Brunswick, even after loosing my debit card, I was able to stretch my money to its limits and make the most out of my time abroad on a budget. I am confident that the tips below will help you do the same. Enjoy!

1. Prepare a Budget: First things first, do some research on your area of study to evaluate the approximate cost of living. One of my favorite sites is Numbeo.com. Also refer to the StudyAbroad101 reviews for your specific program to investigate how much past students spent over the course of their stay. They sit down with your financial information and really map out what you have to spend, and what on. Spending categories may include food and beverage, transportation, leisure/entertainment, travel, souvenirs/gifts, etc. Also set aside some money for emergencies just in case. Now you should have a good basis on which to map your weekly spending allowance for the duration of your program.

2. Walk Whenever Possible: I know this one seems obvious but, really, skip the busses and cabs while traveling and let your feet take you where you need to go within reason; fares add up fast! Walking will keep you active while allowing you to explore your host city in an intimate manner. For example, during Explore 2013, we used to walk all the way to the neighboring city of Dieppe just for fun, or to run errands. The 4-mile journey was perfectly doable and helped us figure out Moncton's downtown layout. However, for safety's sake, don't forget to go with a buddy or small group if you choose to hoof it!

When walking just isn't feasible, splitting a cab with friends can keep the fare low. Just don't forget to ask the cabby to explain the fees and fare before getting in.

3. Shop Discount Stores: Dollar discount stores, bulk food stores, and thrift shops are the budget traveler's best friends. Lucky for me, I spent Canada Day in Canada, so my local Dollarama was packed with maple leaf-clad memorabilia. However, most discount retailers should carry post cards, key chains and other souvenir-type items year round to bring home as inexpensive gifts; and trust me, no one will mind (or likely notice) that you shopped smart for their presents. These places are also great for picking up things like silverware, dish soap, laundry supplies, school supplies and anything else you may need on your trip.

PRO TIP: With a little forethought,  you can also make your own tea and coffee from bulk-bought supplies just as you would at home as long as you have a microwave in-country. I figure I saved myself $20 a week making homemade chai lattés and instant coffee for less than $1 a piece compared to $3+ café drinks while in Moncton.

4. Don't Be a Water Snob: As long as the water in your area is safe to drink (ask an authority figure such as university staff, don't just assume) drinking from the tap can save you a small fortune, especially if you usually buy bottled water from vending machines. Even refilling each bottle one time can help you stretch your food and beverage budget - not to mention help preserve your local environment.

5. Dine Smart: Though buying groceries will most likely be the very cheapest way to eat while abroad, I know that engaging in gastrotourism is one of the most important ways to experience a new culture. Ask your program staff, other locals, and online review sites where the best local places are to eat on the cheap. They will steer you away from touristy restaurants and towards the hotspots that serve the best regional cuisine on a budget. Plus they can tell you where the best dive bars are!

Once you've found great restaurants, stretch your budget further by sticking to the following advice:

• Drink water instead of expensive soda. It's calorie free and cost free! 
• Be aware of "specials." Oftentimes the dish-of-the-day will actually cost more than normal fare, so ask to see a menu before making a decision.
• Share with friends and split the bill. You will be able to try a greater variety of local fare for less coin - it's a win-win!
• Keep gratuity in mind and make sure to save some cash for tips. Don't forget to check what the customary practices are in your area beforehand to save yourself any embarrassment.
• Take your meal "to go" and have a picnic with friends. This will allow you to save on gratuity, and allow everyone to bring from multiple restaurants, or from home, without feeling left out.

Hopefully these tips will help you live larger on less while abroad. Don't forget to post your favorite money saving tips in the comments below.

Thanks for reading! 

Real Advice for Study Abroad Part 7: How to Get The Most Out of Flying on a Budget

It is a common complaint among students that getting to and from your destination by air is the most expensive and aggravating part of studying abroad after paying tuition.

However, traveling from point A to point B doesn't have to be all bad. Below are 5 way to maximize your air travel experience while adhering to even the most modest budget. Enjoy!

1. Be Flexible: When shopping for airfare, make sure to use the 'flexible dates' option to ensure you are scoring the very best deal. Sometimes, as is the case for my tickets to France, moving the departure dates around by just a day or two can save you several hundred dollars. From what I have seen, the beginning of the week is the cheapest, while weekend fares carry the heftiest fees. Also, shop around using several sites, look at fares for several airlines, AND check Retailmenot.com for coupon codes before settling for what appears at first glance to be an awesome deal.

2. Pack Light: Limiting yourself to just carry-on luggage is a choice riddled with benefits such as: 

• No outrageous checked luggage or overweight bag fees
• No carousel wait times
• Quick and efficient mobile check-in options 
• The flexibility of being able to catch an earlier or later flight
• The choice to fly with a discount airline like Ryanair
• and the near certainty that your bags will not be lost or damaged in transit no matter how many connection you have. 

Pairing down to the basics  and traveling with one suitcase and a backpack will make you feel much more in control of your trip, and give you a comfy place to rest your head or feet during a long layover.

3. Score a Free Stopover: Got an extra day to kill due to your super smart shopping skills? Why not use it to explore another city by turning a layover into a stopover? For example, for my trip from Chicago to Fredericton, New Brunswick I was able to finagle a 12 hour layover  in Montreal, Quebec in place of the standard 2 hour layover completely free of charge by speaking directly with an Air Canada travel agent and asking to take a later flight out of Montreal. This simple call allowed us to stash our luggage and explore the city of Montreal during their Provincial Holiday with no extra fuss. Just be aware of commuting times to and from the airport and leave ample time for customs and airport security if you choose to go this route.

4. Get a Free Upgrade: Signing up for Frequent Flyer Miles or Airline Rewards programs can put you in the pool for a free upgrade to executive class if there are seats open on your departure date. Airlines do this in order to clear out coach seats that can then be filled with standby customers who payed a reduced fare. If you aren't chosen for an upgrade, volunteer to be seated near an emergency exit to score some extra legroom.

5. Bring Everything You Need: Last but not least, keep in mind that airlines often offer in-flight food, bedding, beverages, you name it - for a fee. Forgo the plague blankets and $4 waters by bringing your own in-flight comfort package. Make sure to include:

• An EMPTY water bottle: As full bottles are not allowed through security and duty-free waters are $9, bring your own from home. Upon being seated, ask a flight attendant to please fill it up for you.
• A blanket or pashmina: We all know flights are frigid, so bring your own germ-free shawl. Pair it with some warm socks and you are on your way to slumberland.
• Earplugs or headphones and an eye mask or sunglasses: If you are me, the baby behind you will have an ear ache and the guy next to you will insist on leaving his reading light on, so come prepared with whatever you need to sleep through your flight in comfort.
• Munchies: Granola bars, snack mixes and other dry, room temperature foods are good to snack on in flight. Avoid Cheetos, juicy foods, and nuts to avoid a hand-washing trip to the restroom or the chance of inducing an allergic reaction of anyone around you. Gum is another must-have to keep your ears clear.
• Magazines or reading material: Bringing your own books can save yourself some frustration if you are unable to sleep. Plus, lending them to anyone around you and/or leaving them in the seat-back pocket for the next flyer may qualify as your good deed for the day.
• Lip balm and hand cream: In-flight air is very drying, so don't forget the moisturizer! Mentholatum is a good all-in-one choice for dry lips, under the nose, and chapped hands.
• A pen: From customs forms to crossword puzzles, a pen is a smart choice to keep with you while travelling or, really, any time.

I hope you found these tips and tricks helpful! Tell me your favorite travel hacks below in the comments.

Back to Frugality

Hello everyone,

Being as it is the weekend before Thanksgiving break and I've got a bit of time before I absolutely must buckle down on my grad school application (don't judge me), I have decided to address an issue I have been having...  More and more, it seems, I have been wandering away from the purpose of this blog which has always been meant to demonstrate to interested student readers, through my personal story, just how much money can be saved while planning an executing a study abroad adventure.

I feel like I have let down my tiny audience by abandoning the frugality theme for less educational writing. However, in the next couple of days, I hope to redeem myself by catching up with new savings-themed posts so stay tuned!

France Update

Hello everyone,

I am so excited to tell you that I will be leaving for France in just 50 days! I can't even believe how fast time has flown by since I left Canada this past August - already 99 days ago.

Though I have been planning extensively, I still have a lot to do before I can pack my bags.

First, I need to finish my WIU online study abroad forms and attend the mandatory pre-departure meeting. More pressingly, though, I still have to apply for my French Visa now that I have gotten my CEA Packet in the mail. Unfortunately, I have to visit the French Consulate in Chicago for an in-person meeting first, and that takes time, of which I have a short supply.

My semester, though only 29 days from being finished, still consists of 2 full-length novels, 5 papers, a presentation, 2 précis, and 2 final exams. Plus scholarship essays and my still unfinished grad school application, which has been festering on the back burner for the last few months.

Also, I need to design my capsule wardrobe to avoid overpacking, as I did for my trip to Canada. I just feel like I'm running out of time... Still worst of all, I have had no time for naps. How will I even go on?!

Fortunately, I have an amazing goal to work towards so I will continue to go go go until I can meet up with my new classmates in Paris before our program starts. I just cannot even wait, and will keep you updated on what is happening until then!

For a more in-depth look at what goes into the pre-departure hustle, check out my Real Advice for Study Abroad column on just that, here.

Thanks for reading! 

WASA Crêpe Night

Bonjour tout le monde,

Last night, Western's Ambassadors for Study Abroad (WASA) gathered at the old International House for a DIY Crêpe Potluck!

Everyone who attended brought ingredients to share with the group such as jam, honey, Nutella, powdered sugar and strawberries.

 I, As mentioned here, was in charge of the copious amounts of crêpe batter...

We took turns making crêpes and practicing our wrist swirling, which is WAY more nerve-wracking than it sounds! 

However, I was very excited to see everyone master the technique and have fun doing it!

We pumped out dozens of thin and tasty crêpes; enough to share with our members, all of the residents of the international house, AND take home leftovers. A triple batch of batter *may* have been overkill...

Don't they look sweet?

It's safe to say that the event was a success. Now we'll have to have food at all of our WASA meetings!

Thanks for reading!

Half a Gallon of Crêpe Batter!

Bonjour à tous,

Tonight I made a triple batch of crêpe batter - almost half a gallon - for tomorrow's WASA Crêpe Night Potluck.

It was really pretty easy, and it came together pretty fast using ingredients that most everyone should have on hand. I used the sweet variety, minus the liqueur, from the Food Network recipe below:

I just can't wait to cook up some of these babies with my WASA friends! 

Have you every made crêpes? What's your favorite topping or filling? Tell me in the comments below!

Scholarship Press Release!

Hey all,

As I have already mentioned, I have been the recipient of the Jerry Purdum Memorial Scholarship in French from the WIU Dept. of Foreign Languages and Literatures!

Here's thew WIU press release that went out about it on the 1st on this month:

Thanks for reading!