Amanda

About Amanda’s program:

• Program: Yonsei South Korea, 6-week program during Summer B 2017. South Korea was a country she had been interested in since high school and they offered classes for her Bio-med major.

• Program cost: $3,000 in total, $2,200 for 2 courses and $800 for housing (student dorms); food was not included

Advice from Amanda:

• She says it is all about the planning. By having the goal to study abroad from the start of college you can better plan obtain this goal the sooner you start saving. Realize that what you are spending before your trip could be what you are saving for your trip.

• Using cash during your trip can help you budget because the amount you take out can be your weekly spending limit.

• Making friends with people on your program can help you get group rates for weekend fun. Amanda traveled to the islands one weekend and rented a house with 9 people, which turned out to be very cheap. This also helped her make friends to visit all over the world for future travels!

• Youtube videos were a great source of advice for her. Some of her favorite channels include Sweet and Tasty TV, Beauty Breakdown, and MDN blog. They gave her advice on activities to do in South Korea, what to pack, and overall culture tips.

How Amanda afforded her trip:

• Amanda worked at Family Dollar, picked up extra shifts, and had financial aid money to help her afford her program.

• She lived with her parents so she did not have rent expenses.

• She received $2,000 in scholarships.

• By planning ahead to study abroad, she started saving a year in advance which helped spread out the savings so she was not as stressed.