Expenses Students Should Expect to Cover
Students will have expenses for many of the same items they must budget for on campus such, as: books, school supplies, local transportation, clothing, comprehensive US medical insurance coverage as required by the College, medical treatment charges, laundry, postage, recreation, phone bills, snacks, independent travel, etc.
The following additional expenses are unique to SAGE participation and are the responsibility of the student:
Students may want to consider the cost of living in the various locations when choosing between program options. It can be less expensive to live in towns outside the capital or in countries with favorable exchange rates or a lower cost of living. Students who have returned from study in the same country will have great advice on budget-friendly shopping options. The largest personal expense for most students is typically for optional personal travel on weekends but there are many ways to enjoy and experience the culture with free or low-cost activities to take full advantage of the time overseas. Each program page has a link to a cost-of-living comparison calculator that can help with budget planning.
The following additional expenses are unique to SAGE participation and are the responsibility of the student:
- the non-refundable application fee charged by the program sponsor;
- passport fees and the cost of the visa or residency permit, if required;
- cost of the mandatory pre-departure medical examination and any required immunizations;
- the supplemental cost of a single room, if requested by the student;
- refundable security deposits against damages for housing, and loss of library books, keys or other property on loan to the student – such deposits will be refunded directly to the student by the program sponsor after the program has ended, less any charges for damages;
- any surcharges for class overloads
- local transportation costs, like bus or metro passes - most programs require a commute from housing to classes;
- cost of optional class trips or program field trips and all personal travel;
- food and housing for optional travel and during the breaks between terms or semesters or extended school vacation periods, e.g., spring break in the UK.
Students may want to consider the cost of living in the various locations when choosing between program options. It can be less expensive to live in towns outside the capital or in countries with favorable exchange rates or a lower cost of living. Students who have returned from study in the same country will have great advice on budget-friendly shopping options. The largest personal expense for most students is typically for optional personal travel on weekends but there are many ways to enjoy and experience the culture with free or low-cost activities to take full advantage of the time overseas. Each program page has a link to a cost-of-living comparison calculator that can help with budget planning.