4 Ways to Minimize Costs While Studying Abroad

Studying abroad can be an unforgettable and amazing experience, however it can be quite expensive if one does not budget their money efficiently and effectively. Here are some techniques to use for reducing costs.

Food

Eating during one’s time abroad can be quite expensive, especially when traveling on a low budget. Due to the variety of world cuisines, one could get carried away with trying out all of the new tastes. So how do you save your money without starving?


Mindy Crary, suggests in her article on Forbes, The 8 Easiest Ways to Cut Your Food Budget in Half many techniques. Apparently becoming a vegetarian and cutting out alcohol from your diet can really cut your costs. Though this is useful, if you are not interested in changing your lifestyle, here are other ideas for you. For example, a meal at a restaurant can cost anywhere on average between $8 to $15 versus the average cost of a home cooked meal, which ranges from as low as $3 to about $7. Try to eat in restaurants less and instead, go out shopping for your groceries. Almost every city has its markets, and yes, they are normally cheaper than grocery shops. Get to know some locals and ask them for tips on buying in the markets. Every country has its own rules, whether it's rules on bargaining or changes in prices on specific days and times. It's important to know the rules and tricks in each country. In Copenhagen, for example, there is an interesting phenomenon called dumpster diving, where people search designated dumpsters for groceries. There is even a Facebook page, designed to alert its followers when a big food industry throws a massive amount of a product, due to an addition of an unwanted but non-harmful ingredient.  

Accommodations

Finding a place to live is one of the stumbling blocks that some people may encounter while planning their time abroad. When looking for an apartment abroad, there are things which you should and shouldn't do. If you decide to rent out a room in an apartment, finding a roommate who is in a similar situation as you to split the costs can help. After your rent ends, makes sure to get your deposit back on your student accommodation.   Most universities have dorms which are usually cheaper than the average monthly rent of an apartment. Check out all the possibilities to find the best solution to cheaper costs in the place you are staying. There are many programs which offer cheap accommodation all over the world. Find a program which will allow you to participate in it, and also have enough time to study. You may even be able to find a scholarship which will cover the expenses of housing. When traveling, staying in youth hostels in the country you are travelling in, could also help one save some money. 

Transportation

A portion of your time studying abroad may include travelling and exploring the country you live in. This is your time to take in what the world has to offer. Once you get into the core of the events you still need to get around and transport in some countries can be utterly overwhelming. When traveling, use search engines which compare travel prices such as GoEuro . That way, you will be able to find the cheapest way to get around. 

Getting familiar with the new neighborhood you move into, can take some time. Consider getting a metro/bus pass to take the public bus, subway, trams and or train around your city to get familiar with. A practical option for transportation can also be purchasing a bike. A secondhand bike from eBay or Craigslist can minimize your costs and allow you to avoid spending money on buses and trains. There are many countries in Europe, for example, where people cycle everywhere. It is not only a useful way to get around, but also a certain lifestyle. 

Entertainment

Many students participate in a study abroad program, but as soon as they arrive in their destination, they hit up the bars and clubs. Everyone living in a foreign country away from home will want to go out and experience the new environment and culture. To save some money, try to schedule to leave the party with friends, who will share the taxi with you on the way home. Set a budget before going out, and make sure to stick to it. Plan to save up money during the week to treat yourself to a nice night out with your friends. That way, you will be able to consistently go out weekly rather than blowing all of your week's or month's savings on one night. Or check out these funny 14 Sneaky Tips for a cheap night out by Rich Cooper. Also, try to find activities that don't involve paying, such as Cheap activities in and around US university campuses. Such activities are not only cheap, but also have an added value.

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Study in Berlin with 5 key tips

The Berlin Sky - Photo Taken by Danielle Neubauer

Berlin! The city that never sleeps, known for its insane nightlife, roaming hipsters, beautiful architecture and also ranked the 9th of the best student cities in the world. Wondering why so many young people between the ages of 18-30 relocate to study in Berlin? Well, the city has a whole lot to offer if you are interested in working hard to integrate. If you are looking to study abroad, Berlin is a great destination for you.  

Berlin has a number of high ranked universities, which are recognized worldwide. It is also one of the most affordable cities in Europe, especially for students. There are low tuition fees, if any at all, free transportation, and discounts on concerts, museums and shows. To enjoy these benefits, one must first need to know how to apply, and how to get around in this big metropolitan. Here are a few tips to get you settled.

1. Find the Right Program for You!

Whether you are interested in studying arts, sciences, music or literature, Berlin has many programs in different topics for international students. Some of the top names in the academic world based in Berlin is the Humboldt Univeristät, established in 1810 and ranked 49th in the world, The UDK, famous for being the biggest art school in Europe, the Technische Universität for sciences, Potsdam University, just 20 minutes from Berlin, and many more. Just pick your subject, and start detecting the right institute for you.

Links for each university:

http://www.tu-berlin.de/

https://www.udk-berlin.de/startseite/

https://www.hu-berlin.de/en

http://www.uni-potsdam.de/en/university-of-potsdam.html

2. Sprechen Sie Deutsch?

Berlin is filled with expats and almost everyone speaks English, but German is crucial to integrating. University courses offered, are all open to international students, but most German speaking courses. The English courses, also require a German level of A2 at least (one level above the lowest). So actually the process of Studying in Germany, most of the times starts with studying German. Just for that, there are German language schools on almost every corner of the city and in almost any price. The most recommended school would be the Goethe Institute (https://www.goethe.de/ins/de/en/index.html) , a non-profit German association organization, recognized worldwide.

3. Getting the Right Visa

To stay in Germany for more than 3 months (assuming you are a citizen of a country with diplomatic relationships with Germany), you will need a student visa. To get a student visa, you first have to first get accepted to university.  If you choose to apply to a program learned in German, and you wish to perfect your German before the studies start, you will be needing a "preparation for studies visa" to be in Germany. To get this visa, one must show the German authorities proof that they are enrolled in an intensive language course, they have enough money in the bank, that they have a clear history of illegal records, a residency and a school diploma. The "preparation for studying visa" is given to the applicant for the longest, 2 years. This gives enough time to perfect the language, and make sure you're ready for the required language tests. Press on the link to get the exact requirements: http://service.berlin.de/dienstleistung/305244/en/.

4. What Tests?

Applying to an English program, you will need a certificate of A2 or more (a level above the lowest). Unfortunately most of the programs are in German, and a language test is required to apply to them. There are two tests which one can choose from to do, either the DSH or the TestDaF (a comparison between the two: http://www.toytowngermany.com/forum/topic/274683-language-exams-comparing-testdaf-and-dsh/) . These tests require you to have a deep understanding of the German language to ensure that you have the necessary skills to do well in school. The good part is that a lot of the language schools have a preparations course for these tests to help students pass.

5. Work

Having a work permit depends on your visa, and is most of the time limited to an amount of hours per week. It is very important to make sure that one doesn't exceed the limited amount of hours permitted. The good part, is that language schools and universities are sensitive to their students' needs. Some language schools offer their students work at the school, and allow the students to study for free. There are also many scholarships that are being offered to international students, to make their stay financially more comfortable. The DAAD organization (https://www.daad.de/en/), for example offers more than 216 scholarships for international students who come to study in Germany.

Berlin is a city with endless opportunities for students from all over the world. Studying in Berlin requires a lot of hard work, but at the end of the day, the benefits are worth it. All one needs, is to do a little more research in the topics that I have presented above to get accepted. For more information go to www.gradtrain.com or talk to an expert in studying in Germany https://www.gradtrain.com/Main/SetTime?coachID=15735&serviceID=2908&serviceType=2 .  

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Writen by Danielle Neubauer of the GradTrain team

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10 facts you need to know about studying in the Netherlands

The Netherlands hosts approximately 70,000 international students each year. What makes the Netherlands an interesting study destination and what should you know before deciding to study there? Here are 10 quick facts you should know:

1. Don’t get confused: It is “the Netherlands”, Holland is only a certain area in the Netherlands

The Netherlands is a small country, it has a total area of 41,526 sq. km (16,033 sq. miles). Comparatively, The Netherlands is slightly less than twice the size of the state of New Jersey.

Besides its small size, it is very different across its various regions. You have the coastal towns which are very different than the towns inland. Many people don’t know if the right name for the country is The Netherlands or Holland. Holland is only the name of the region in the west coastal area of the country. This area contains the three most thickly settled cities: Amsterdam, the capital, the Hague, the city in which the government seated, and Rotterdam, One of Europe’s largest port. For many people around the world, "Holland" is used to describe the whole country.

By Michal Klajban (Own work), via Wikimedia Commons

2. There’s a different way of learning

Instead of large lectures, many classes take place in groups of 4-10 people. There is no focus on how you work and how much effort you put in the project, it is mostly about the results. The professor of the class doesn’t do most of the talking, he or she expects that you participate in the class and express your opinion. This way of learning is very different from the way of learning in other countries.

3. Everybody is always on time

In the Netherlands everybody always arrives on time, no matter what for. You also do not go home earlier than allowed. You could say that this is similar to the Germans or the Swiis, but people in the Netherlands will never admit that their on time mentality stems from the proximity of those countries.

4. Learn some Dutch

Because of the size of the country and the fact that most of the neighboring countries speak different languages, almost everybody in the Netherlands speaks English. Although it is highly recommended to learn some basic Dutch, so you are able to read signs and relevant information. So try to find some time in your class schedule to learn some Dutch.

5. Technical equipment

Dutch universities have all the equipment you ever dreamed about. You’re allowed to use all the newest technical equipment, for example, a 3D printer. Don’t be shy and feel free to ask if you want to make use of such equipment.

6. Transport yourself on a bike

The Netherlands is the bike riding country, everywhere you look you see people biking. In fact there are more bikes than citizens in the Netherlands! So if you do not know how to ride a bike yet, make it a priority to learn. The Netherlands is full of specialized bike paths so you can ride your bike safely separated from the normal road where the cars travel.

7. Sunday is a day of rest

Most stores and supermarkets outside of the major cities are closed on Sundays. Restaurants, similarly, will largely be closed. If you come from a place where everything is open on Sunday it will take some time to get used to it. So if you are arriving during the weekend make sure you have some food for the first days.

8. The place of opportunity

The universities have close connections with many companies based in and outside of the Netherlands. There are different reasons why companies have close relations with universities, one of them being that the students are using the latest technology, and the companies want feedback on it. Another major reason is that companies recruit employees from the universities, so there is a chance that when you graduate, you may already have a job secured in your field.

9. Get a residence permit

As a Canadian or American citizen you can stay in Europe for a maximum of 3 months on a tourist visa. So if you’re planning to study in the Netherlands, you should get a Visa or a residence permit. The best thing to do is to start this process up in your home country, and you can finish it once you arrive in the Netherlands. The most important things you have to arrange in order to get a Visa is to prove that you have enough funds for the entire duration of your study. You also have to prove that you have health insurance for the duration of your stay. Carry your Visa like it is your ID. You can travel with your Visa within Europe without any problems, and if you get stopped, your Visa proves that you are staying legally in the Netherlands.

10. Be open minded

In the Netherlands people, but also universities, are very open minded. They are open to new ideas or different approaches to different problems. As a foreigner, you may think differently about a certain problem or idea, it is a special gift when everybody is open to hearing your ideas.

“We can’t solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them” - Albert Einstein

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This post was written by Sam Koekoek, an intern at GradTrain. Sam is from Amsterdam and is spending the winter with GradTrain working on social media, marketing and content creation. Sam is always into the latest technology. Don't be surprised if you see him walking around with multiple devices before the rest of the world has them.

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5 Tips to prepare your social media before applying to university in the US

Guest post by: Rep'nUp

“Are you a bird watcher? Are you an artist? Are you a musician? An athlete? All of those things you can showcase online. You can show what your passion is and let that shine through.” Gina Carrol, blogger and author.

In her podcast, 24 Things You can Do with Social Media to Get into College, Carroll talks to young American students about their online social media reputation and the importance of that image to college admissions.

With colleges becoming increasingly selective, more admissions officers are turning to social media to gain further insight into their applicants. In a television interview with Mass Appeal on NBC, Paul Hemphill, author of Planning for College, states that colleges are interested in social networks because they answer the question “who are you?” Hemphill comments that college applications can easily be forged to create a perfect impression, while social media sites are more likely to reveal the student’s true persona.

Many agencies have reported on the importance of social media and college admissions including Forbes, IvyWise and The New York Times. A survey conducted by Cornerstone Reputation in 2014 found that 40% of admissions officers searched applicants online. A subsequent 2015 survey of college athletic coaches reported that 83% reviewed social media profiles of prospective athletes.  Studies also show, that what is being found online can hurt your chances of acceptance. A survey from Kaplan Test Prep in 2013 indicated that 30% of admission recruiters who used Facebook to review an applicant found content that negatively impacted the student’s application.

Given these facts, it is important to prepare your social media profiles before you apply to an American college. Use these simple tips to can ensure your online reputation represents the best of you.

1. Have a presence. In the US today, not belonging to a social network says a lot about you. According to this survey from CareerBuilder, 35% of employers are less likely to grant an interview to an applicant who doesn’t appear online. Hemphill states in his interview “If they can’t find you on Facebook they’re going to decide you have something to hide.” If recruiters can’t find you online, they may conclude that you are socially unaware, or worse, are deliberately concealing your profile to hide inappropriate content. Furthermore, not having an account leads you to miss out on the opportunity to create a relationship with your prospective schools. Having an online presence allows admissions officers to put a face to a name, learn more about you, and relate to you on a more personal level. 

2. Delete inappropriate material. As was stated previously, 30% of admissions officers found material that negatively impacted an applicant’s acceptance. It is imperative that you carefully review your online history for inappropriate content. Remember that every culture is different, and when going to America you have to adjust to their customs. For example, alcohol, which is not considered offensive in Europe, is regarded as particularly inappropriate in America. Make sure to remove images on your profile of underage drinking, partying, smoking, drugs, explicit content, etc. As Carroll says in her podcast “If you have 1200 pictures and 699 are you at a party, what does that say about your priority with regard to your time?”  Also, be sure to review old posts and status updates that may include swear words, racist remarks, or angry rants. Remember that what happens on Facebook stays on Facebook, forever. You can use free applications like Rep’nUp to easily clean up your social networking sites.

3. Showcase your personality. Shape your online presence to highlight your personality and individuality. Post things that humanize you so the university can get to know you. Colleges want to see that you are close with your family, have interesting hobbies, and are overall a well-rounded individual. Since colleges use Facebook to verify your resume, make sure your online presence reinforces your hobbies and interests expressed in your application. If you wrote that you are passionate about science, make sure to follow scientists that inspire you.  Hemphill suggests putting up photos of projects or trips you’ve participated in and what you’ve learned from them.  Also be sure to review your old Liked pages. Since pages don’t have a date it’s not clear which pages you may have liked ten years ago in high school, and which pages reflect who you are today.

4. Use timeline review. While it’s important to monitor what you post, don’t let your profile be tarnished by that careless friend with less than ideal judgement. Your social media image can easily be ruined by someone tagging you in a photo or posting on your wall. To prevent this, check out Facebook’s Timeline review tool that allows you to control what others post on your wall to help maintain your positive image.

5. Take action. Now that you have the perfect online presence that presents you as the impeccable and impressive individual that you are– get out there and use it to your advantage. Carroll suggests virtually interacting with your perspective schools “early and often.” She advises to register on their websites sites and follow them on social media even before applying to get on their radar. Consistently engaging with a college is a way to demonstrate your interest in the school, which is vital to them believing they are your priority. Schools don’t want to be your fallback option; they want to know that if they offer you an acceptance, you will take it. This article from PBS states that some universities use data analysis algorithms on your social media profiles to determine if you are worth investing in. Schools don’t want to invest in you if it is likely that you won’t make it to graduation.

Social media in the United States can play a large role in college admissions. By following these simple tips to adjustyour social media accounts you can ensure your online perception is maximized for the American admission process.

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Rep’nUp is a social media reputation management service that helps a user clean up their Facebook, Twitter and Instagram profiles. This free application uses world class image processing algorithms to scan a user’s profile and identify potentially harmful photos and posts, allowing the user to better manage their online reputation. Check it out here at www.Repnup.com

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Public vs. private universities in the US: 4 key differences

When studying abroad in the United States, many factors can go into choosing a university to study at. With so many options available, it can be overwhelming to make sure you are picking the right school for you. One of the biggest choices to make is what type of university you want to study abroad at - private or public

In the U.S. there are two main categories that schools fit into. A government subsidized public institution, and a private institution. Both of these university systems have their own advantages and disadvantages. We will go through the four key aspects of both types of schools so you can be sure you are picking your ideal university type.

Pictured: College of Charleston

1. COST

One of the major things to consider when choosing an institution type is cost. Because you are most likely coming from abroad, you will not be qualified for in-state tuition for a public university. Although still cheaper than the average private school, you will be paying substantially more than your in-state counterpart. Keep in mind that this is without any financial aid, scholarships, or grants. Applying for these awards can dramatically change the costs for university.

Public University:

• Average yearly tuition cost: $20,000-$25,000 (Out-of-state)
• Average yearly total cost: $35,000-$40,000 (Including dorms, meals, books, etc.)

Private University:

• Average yearly tuition cost: $30,000-$40,000 (can be higher than $50,000)
• Average yearly total cost: $50,000-$70,000

2. QUALITY OF EDUCATION

Another thing to consider is the quality of education you will be getting. There is a myth that private colleges are more prestigious and exclusive than public schools. While this may be accurate for the most prestigious schools in the nation, overall, many public universities are on par with private ones. Quality of education also, will depend completely on the individual university, your major, and your academic goals. A school that is prestigious for someone else might not be prestigious for you because of these considerations. When looking into education quality, be sure to do your homework and do a quick web search to give you current-year rankings for all universities. These lists include both private and public institutions in the top 25.

3. ACADEMIC FLEXIBILITY

Available majors is also a very important aspect to look at. Public schools are going to have a much more broad selection of academic programs they offer. While private schools will most likely have more specific major tracks for students. Just be sure to research your major field of studyand match up schools that fit all of the major requirements you need.

4. CAREER OUTLOOK

Life beyond graduation is also something to consider. When applying for jobs, the individual school you go to can have a huge impact on whether you get that interview, or that job. Especially in the US, the ranking of the school you went to could haunt you for the rest of your life (or make your life much easier). In some cases, especially in the extremes of the school rankings charts, it will indeed have a very strong impact. Being an Ivy League (Harvard / Yale / Columbia / Penn etc.) graduate allows many advantages and career opportunities and provides a network of peers who will be able to help you with business and personal development later on in your career. A good university serves as a proxy that you are a good job / academia candidate and will open many doors for you. There is also probably a strong correlation between a school being ranked as a top university and the actual quality of that school.

Overall both public and private universities have many similarities and differences. The most important thing is to make an informed decision when you consider your study abroad options. Do your research and talk to people who studied at the schools you are considering, whether they are public or private.

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A Guide to Navigating U.S. Cities for International Students

There are many things to consider and research before beginning your study abroad adventure. One of the most important being how you will get around in your new city. Coming from Europe and Asia where transportation is abundant, you may be surprised by the amount of public transportation (or lack thereof). Depending on where your school is located in the U.S. Don’t get discouraged too quickly, as there can be many options available in the United States for easily accessible transportation services. It is important to research your options before you arrive so you know what to expect when you arrive. This will save you time, money, and the stress that comes along with traveling abroad.

Before coming to the U.S., you will need to book an international flight. Although this can be expensive, there are many websites to get the best deals on flights to your destination. It is recommended to book a flight about 3-6 months ahead of your arrival, if possible. This will give you the most options and the cheapest price for your ticket. Once this is set, you can start thinking about how you will travel domestically. The United States is a very diverse place with different methods of transportation. This post will highlight major regions in the U.S. and the most efficient ways to get around.

Northeastern region (New York City, Boston, New Jersey)

Your best bet for traveling in these parts of the country is definitely public transportation. Each of these cities has their own transit system which is highly efficient. New York is known for its superior underground train and bus system and can take you anywhere in the 5 boroughs, 24 hours a day. If you’re attending school in the city, you will definitely want to purchase a monthly unlimited pass which is currently about $116. For those of you attending school outside of the city, don’t fret because there is also the Long Island Railroad (LIRR) which runs to and from the city.

By Metropolitan Transportation Authority of the State of New York [CC BY 2.0   

Boston also has one of the best transportation systems in the country and is known as the “T”. This includes subway, bus, trolley car and boat service to just about everywhere in the Boston area. You will need to purchase a CharlieCard which will run you about $75 for a 30-day unlimited pass. 

New Jersey operates on it’s own transportation system called the New Jersey Transit and it includes rain, bus, or light rail. The NJ Transit is actually very favorable for students and participates in a University Partnership Program to allow students to receive discounts on their monthly passes and cheap rail fares. Click here to see all New Jersey universities who participate in the partnership program. You will need to purchase this through your university. Transportation in these cities might sound like a big expense, but you will actually save a lot of money compared to refilling your gas tank once a week!

                                                         

                                                   

The West Coast (Los Angeles, San Francisco)

Los Angeles is a big, spread out city with many diverse districts. Many L.A. residents will tell you that getting around without a car is a headache, but truthfully driving your own car can also be a headache due to traffic. There are a variety of ways to get around by using public transportation and the city is continuously working on making it easier to commute around L.A. without a car. Los Angeles operates a rail system, bus system, and the DASH.

The Metro Trip Planner is a great tool to use to tell you how to get to and from your destination, as well as bus numbers and schedules. If you’re attending California State University, there are many options to get you to and from school and it is the only university in Southern California to have a train station so close to the campus. For those of you attending University of Southern California, there are also plenty of ways to commute. All of this information can be found on USC’s transportation page. 

Public transport is the preferred method for getting around San Francisco and the Bay Area. There are many options which are all efficient and reliable. The BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) is a great choice for University of California - Berkeley students and is the primary mode of transportation for travel between downtown San Francisco and the popular Mission District. This city has such a variety of transportation from its unique cable cars to its well-situated ferry service. The MUNI, BART, and CalTrain are all great ways that are easily accessible to many universities throughout San Francisco and the Bay Area.                              

    By Maurits90 (Own work) [CC0], via Wikimedia Commons

South Florida (Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach)

South Florida is a metropolitan city that unfortunately lacks in public transportation. Miami and the surrounding cities is very much a driving culture, but there are a couple of options for those without a car. Students attending Miami-Dade County universities can obtain a College EASY Ticket which is not only a monthly bus pass, but it allows you to use the People Mover for a discounted price of about $56 per month. Uber is also a great service for getting around in Miami and parts of South Florida and is definitely accessible around most college campuses. Uber is a cheap pre-ordered taxi service that can get you from point A to point B at a reasonable price. You can also use the city taxi system, but they are going to be more expensive and a hassle to get on the spot.

                 

               

                                              

Lastly, the priciest option for travel in the U.S. is going to be getting a personal car while you are abroad. This process can be complex, but if you get started early enough, this can be a great option for a student in a smaller city. In the United States, international students can drive with their home-country license for up to 1 year. 

By familiarizing yourself with all of these options before arriving, you can be sure to have an easier time getting around in the city you are studying abroad in. We hope this information will guide you in the right direction for transportation abroad in the United States. 

If you need more information on a specific city that wasn’t listed here, you always have the option of contacting a GradTrain coach to speak to one-on-one about any additional questions. They are here to make each aspect of your abroad experience easier and hassle free. We have coaches from all over the U.S. who have experience in getting around the cheapest, most efficient way in each city.

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