Simply put, international travel is expensive. So is post-secondary education. Often times, combining the two can create astronomical costs. Last year I was trying to find study abroad programs in Italy that would allow me to gain university credit studying Renaissance history and Italian language and culture, but the program costs themselves would total over $10,000! That's not taking into account travel, accommodation, excursions, and variable expenses; the dream quickly faded and I realized it was completely unfeasible. I can buy a car for $10,000, I can remodel our kitchen for $10,000, I could pay off a fair portion of my student loans with $10,000... just think of the possibilities!
This India program is unique in several ways. I'm gaining almost a full semester of credits and an incredible cultural experience for a reasonable price. The total cost of the program is between $6000 and $6500 (the final figures aren't out yet) and includes flight, accommodation, 2 meals a day, and all excursions and tuition fees. In an average semester I need about $5000 of student loans to make it through, so doing something this amazing for only $1000 to $1500 more is a definite deal plus the fact that it's done in half the time. Mind you there are other outside costs that I'm going to need to find a way to manage, like vaccines, travel insurance, and passport fees that are going to add up, but I consider those minor in comparison to the cost of the program. Not to mention once I get to India things should be considerably cheaper when you take into account that one Indian rupee converts to about 0.02 Canadian dollars and you can get a meal for as little as 40 and up to 250 rupees... so $0.80-$5.00. Pretty reasonable if you ask me.
So, how am I financing this trip? Frankly, that question is the most stressful of all - it worries me. I'm pinching my pennies in every possible manner. I'm saving anything extra from this winter semester's student loans, using this year's tax return toward the trip, working for 6 weeks before I depart and taking student loans to cover the remainder of the balance. I'm also asking family members for as much help as they can, knowing I can pay them back when I resume working after the program. It's going to be a challenge, but I think it makes it that much more worthwhile in the end.
Have you ever had to scrimp and save to have a large sum of money for something? How much did it cost and how long did it take you? What was it for and was it worth it?
Thanks for reading and please comment below!
