Mentor Advice
Question
Any advice for parents or students who are worried about funding for the trip?
6 Replies from Mentors
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AliciaParent of Study Abroad StudentLoyola Marymount UniversityHelp them in any way possible. Whether it’s a lot or a little help them out with a loan. If you are able to fund the trip without outside loans, great. Look for scholarships, government assistance, and any type of financial aid. If that doesn’t work, it is not a bad idea to seek loans; they are not as scary as you may think. Help is out there, don’t be afraid to ask; it’s the best thing you can do for your kids.
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SandraParent of Study Abroad StudentLoyola Marymount UniversityLook at all your options and see what works best for you. There is a lot of financial help available in the form of loans, grants or scholarships. Also try to make a budget with your child for everyday expenses and any travel cost, and allow for miscellaneous expenses for whatever may come up. With a budget, at least you’ll have some idea on how much money will be needed.
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Additional MentorVarious students and administratorsinterviewed by the Center for Global Education
Don, Student
Hear about one student’s experience of working beforehand to save money for traveling during study abroad. -
Additional MentorVarious students and administratorsinterviewed by the Center for Global Education
Justin, Student
This student discusses the importance of planning ahead of time! -
PriscillaGraduate StudentUniversity of California at BerkeleyParents who are worried they may not be able to afford their child's time abroad should definitely look into the different kinds of travel grants and funding available for students. In the end, one could always take out a small loan. If parents are worried about their children having financial difficulty abroad, perhaps they should look into a location that is a bit more affordable. In every country, there may be cities that are less expensive or offer a less expensive language program than others. Parents should also look into affordable housing options. Staying with a family, sharing a place with roommates and living in a dormitory can all be quite effective when one is trying to save money.
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OliviaParent of Study Abroad StudentLoyola Marymount UniversityThe cost of the semester in China was almost the same as the cost of one semester at LMU, so it was not difficult to fund the trip. If anything, there are scholarships specifically directed towards studying abroad. Students should look into these if they are concerned about funding.