We all know that traveling abroad can be very expensive. International Business Seminars makes the most of your money, by helping you book great flights and wonderful hotels. While all of those costs are covered in your IBS tuition, you will still find plenty of ways to spend too much money when traveling.
Sightseeing
When you are traveling through Europe, there will be no shortage of places you want to see, and things you want to do. Before you leave on your trip, do some research! It is so easy to find tourist attractions that are free, or can be accessed for free with student discounts or “city cards.” For example, when we visited Innsbruck, IBS provided us with cards that gave us access to transportation and admission to museums and palaces at no extra cost.
Eating
One of the best parts of studying abroad is immersing yourself in the cultures of the countries that you visit. My favorite way to do this was by eating the food! You will definitely need to set a budget so you do not spend too much money eating out. One of the easiest ways to save money is to take advantage of the hotel breakfasts! Each of the hotels we stayed at had a wonderful breakfast buffet, with no shortage of options. Another great way to save money is by visiting local grocery stores, and picking up snacks you can travel with. This will help keep you from purchasing additional meals throughout the day.
Drinking
Another great part of traveling is trying all of the local brews! Germany is famous for its beer, Innsbruck their schnapps, and Italy their wine. It is nice to taste local beverages when dining out, but to save money, try ordering the house beer or wine! This will still give you the opportunity to try local beverages, but without the high costs. It is also very important to ensure you are ordering “tap” water when out at restaurants. Unlike in the United States, many European restaurants serve bottled waters, and at a high price. My friends and I made that mistake by spending over $70 collectively on bottled water at an upscale restaurant in Paris. You should also make sure to carry a water bottle with you! There is a shortage of public water fountains, and it is important to stay hydrated. It’s always a good idea to check if the tap water is safe to drink when traveling.
Souvenirs
As you are traveling, you are definitely going to experience the want to buy trinkets for yourself and the people back home. It is a good idea to make a list of everyone you want to buy before you leave. Then make a budget on how much you intend to spend, and stick to that budget. Throughout each city, there are plenty of souvenir shops that sell low-cost items like postcards, magnets, and shot glasses, that make great gifts.
While you’re traveling through Italy and France, luxury item stores line the streets. If you are someone who typically indulges in brands like Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and Prada, buying while you are abroad is actually a good idea! Many items at these stores are discounted from the price you would pay in the U.S. because they do not incur high distribution costs. Make sure to plan ahead and set aside money specifically for these big purchases.
Overall, the easiest way to save money while you are abroad is to stick to the budget you have set. It is important to think about all of the costs that you will incur, and round up! I definitely spent way more than I expected, but these tips will help keep you on track.
