Robert Smith, the Wolfpack Abroad marketing intern, writes:
A lot of people agree that traveling is an exciting experience, and those same people would also agree that it is not exactly low-cost. So, I offer you my few simple money saving tips for studying abroad on a budget:
Know the currency – The destination’s currency is something to keep an eye on. You can always do an online search to familiarize yourself with the exchange rate in the country to which you will be traveling. This is something that makes a difference when it comes to making purchases and exchanging money. It is important to know if the money you’re exchanging is strong or weak in comparison to the currency of the destination. Before traveling also check with your bank about the credit or debit card being used, as there may be expensive fees involved.
Talk to locals – Sometimes being a friendly face to talk to pays off. Try striking up a conversation with the locals. Get to know them a bit, and then ask them where you may find a meal that is delicious as well as affordable. Not only will you find a great meal for less, you will be more involved in the local culture. This will make the whole travel experience more meaningful. You would be surprised at how well this can work to save you money and eat as the locals do.
Refill your water bottle – Traveling around will work up a thirst. It can be quite costly to step into a shop or restaurant to buy a beverage. If you do buy a bottle of water, continue to reuse the bottle as much as possible. It is more practical to have a refillable water bottle with you on the journey. Something like a simple Nalgene bottle would be good also. Always check that the water is okay to drink in your destination. From experience, I know that New Zealand has potable water for drinking. In most places there I could just fill it up from a tap or sink. This is a simple way to save some cash while studying abroad.
Do you have other simple money saving tips people can use while abroad? Let me know by posting a comment.
