Things to add to your budget

Of course, the usual suspects should be on here:

• Daily meals/snacks (if not included in your program)
• Daily transport between lodging and the school
• Going out/entertainment (dinners, bars, etc… )
• Souvenirs
• Cell phone/calling card use
• Internet use (Internet cafes or school fees)
• Weekend travel & excursions
• Incidentals: toiletries, film, batteries, etc… 

But don’t forget about these important budgeting factors:

• Airline extra charges (baggage, food, drinks, etc… )
• Airport arrival & departure taxes (see Don' Forget About Departure Tax for more info)
• Entry fees/tourist cards
• Visa extensions
• School activity fees not included in your program
• Book fees and deposits
• Lodging damage deposits
• Unexpected emergencies

Ways to save money

• ISIC: If you are a student, get an ISIC (International Student Identity Card). They cost a little over $20, and the savings you can get will really add up! Make sure to review the benefits carefully, and when in doubt, ask if you can get a discount, it can’t hurt!
• If going to Spain or Latin America, contact eXito Travel, specialists in airfare for those studying abroad.
• Skype: Skype is a wonderful tool to use while traveling. You can make free or cheap phone calls, surf the Internet on their worldwide WiFi, and much more. Find out more about Skype.
• Look into free events in your host city or country. Many great cultural experiences are available for free, check the Internet, or better yet, the local newspapers.
• Ask around for the most inexpensive place to shop for groceries
• Know how much the exchange rate is! Don’t get ripped off by finding the best place to exchange your currency. Universal Currency Convertor

Download free AmeriSpan e-reports

Passport: If you do not have one, make sure to
apply for one at least 6-8 weeks prior to your departure in order to save money
and headaches from expediting your passport. If you already have one, check the
expiration date. For travel to many countries, it is required that your
passport be valid for a minimum of 6 months after you are planning to return
home. Also make sure there are enough blank pages left. A good website to order
or renew your passport at is PassportVisasExpress.com.
A helpful article: Don’t Forget Passports When Studying Abroad

Visa: While many countries do not require
travel visas, there are some that do. Also, the length of your stay can be a
factor as to if you will need a visa or not; some countries require a visa for
a stay longer than 30 days. A good website to research and purchase visas is PassportVisasExpress.
A helpful article: Travel Visas For Study Abroad

Birth
certificate: You will usually need an original birth
certificate to apply for a passport and some visas. If you have lost your birth
certificate, you can get an official replacement copy at Rocket Lawyer.

International
driving permit: This is a good idea to get before you go abroad if you think you may be interested in
driving while overseas. Click for information on getting an International Driving Permit before you go.

Student
discount cards: If you are a student, check out the
International Student Identity Card (ISIC).
This identity card is good worldwide for discounts on travel, lodging,
restaurants, attractions, and much more. A helpful article: Student Discount Cards for Study Abroad

Prescriptions: In order to fly, you
will need your prescriptions in clearly marked containers; it is best to keep
them in their original containers. Be sure to refill any prescriptions that
might run out while you are abroad. Also, it is an excellent idea to get a note
from your doctor listing your prescriptions and why you need them.

Insurance: It is possible to
acquire short-term medical insurance for travel, as well
as flight, luggage, and trip cancellation insurance. We recommend Travel Guard for great trip coverage.

For more tips on documents and all aspects of pre-departure preparation for study abroad, download our newest free e-report, Pre-Departure Guide.