Introduction: Why Study Abroad is Possible for Online Students
Did you know that less than 170,000 college students in the United States studied abroad? This is out of 2.87 million enrolled college students in the 2021-2022 academic year. For perspective, it’s less than 6% of college students. Most have the financial means to live and study in Europe, the most popular destination.
And therein lies the main reason for the low number of American students studying abroad – cost. Besides tuition and fees, international students must also deal with other significant expenses. Passport fees, airplane fares, and accommodations are a few examples. Even small expenses add up and become a barrier to studying abroad.
How much will you spend as an international student? It depends on many factors, such as your choice of country, university, and program. You must also consider your lifestyle preferences, such as accommodations. But it can be $16,300+ per semester, on average.
Featured Programs
Unless you’re loaded, you can face financial difficulties as an international student. But take heart. You will find affordable study abroad programs offered by prestigious online colleges.
Why study abroad if you’re an online student? In the first place, you chose online learning because it’s affordable and convenient. If you decide to study abroad, these benefits fly out the window.
The reason is simple. The benefits of studying abroad outweigh the costs and challenges. Being able to explore new cultures, meet new people, and experience new things is worth it. The trick is in finding the means to finance your international education – and we’re here to help.
Besides, online colleges offer their students study-abroad opportunities. Like Mount Everest, you take the opportunity because it’s there and it’s fun.
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Affordable Study Abroad Programs at Online Colleges
More affordable study abroad programs are available today than ever before. This is because online colleges offer interested students with more financial aid opportunities. When combined with affordable tuition and fees, more online students can study abroad.
Here, we compiled a list of the best online colleges with study abroad opportunities. Be sure to check their official websites for more information.
Arizona State University Online
The Global Education Office oversees the study abroad for online students program. Students can select from 300 programs in 65+ countries. The duration ranges from one week to one semester.
Southern New Hampshire University Online
Students choose from three options – semester, short-term, and NSE programs. Spain, Japan, and England are popular locations. Financial aid, including scholarships, are available.
University of Central Florida Online
UCF offers low-cost study abroad programs, too. Students can choose from Exchange, UCF-In, Partner, and Internship programs. Durations range between two weeks and a full semester or more. UCF tuition and financial aid opportunities are available.
Liberty University
Earn an online degree with international experience through LU Send. This is the central hub that offers study-abroad and student group travel opportunities. Students earn academic credits for their learning experiences. Choices include Signature and Custom Programs in Latin America, Africa, and Europe.
University of Illinois Springfield
UIS offers budget-friendly study abroad opportunities through Study Away programs. Students choose from faculty-led summer programs, partner-led summer programs, and NSE programs. Travel scholarships are available for these programs.
Northeastern University
Northeastern allows online students to study abroad, too. Check out these opportunities at its Global Experience Office. Students choose from prestigious institutions like the London School of Economics. Scholarships, grants, and payment plans are available.
Colorado State University Online
The CSU Education Abroad program allows students to study in more than 80 countries. Students choose from opportunities to study, research, intern, and more. Duration is between one week to one year.
University of North Carolina Chapel Hill
The UNC Study Abroad program provides students with exciting international learning experiences. Students choose from 400+ programs in over 70 countries. Financial aid is available for international students.
Florida International University
Online students at FIU can choose from faculty-led and exchange programs. Choices in duration include summer, semester, and academic year in 70+ countries.
Oregon State University
OSU provides intensive support for students in its study-abroad programs. Students receive step-by-step guidance and financial aid.
How to Fund Your Study Abroad Experience
Even with affordable study abroad programs, you must consider other expenses, too. Financial aid may cover part or all of your tuition and fees if you plan well. But you must eat, have a roof over your head, and live, too, as an international student.
So, the first step in funding your study-abroad experience is understanding its costs. The $16,300+ per semester average cost may or may not apply in your case.
List down the major costs of studying abroad and their estimates.
- Tuition and fees
- Visa and passport fees
- Transportation, including airfare and local transportation expenses
- Housing including utilities
- Food and drinks
- Travel and health insurance
- Books and supplies
- Living expenses
- Entertainment
- Emergency fund
Every foreign university and country has specific costs. You must do intensive research to get the right numbers and other information.
Then, it makes sense to choose affordable study-abroad destinations. This way, you can enjoy international experiences without breaking the bank. Costa Rica, Spain, and France are popular destinations. Here, international students spend $8,080 to $14,338 per semester, on average.
Once you’re done with these steps, you can explore financial aid for study abroad programs.
Start with grants and scholarships for study abroad programs.
Your online college usually offers scholarships for this purpose. Check scholarship databases and charitable organizations, too. You will also find many international student-specific scholarships like:
- Gilman International Scholarship
- Boren Awards for International Study
- Fund for Education Abroad
Apply to as many grant and scholarship programs as possible. You may be able to cover living expenses, too.
Apply for co-op programs, internships, or research jobs.
Many of the featured online colleges offer these paid opportunities, too. You can earn while you learn in a foreign country.
Ask about employer tuition programs.
If you’re a working online student, you may qualify for your employer’s tuition program, if any. Amazon Career Choice, Walmart’s Live Better U Program, and Starbucks College Achievement Plan are notable examples.
Use crowdfunding and fundraising methods.
Family, friends, and strangers can donate to your cause. You can do it the traditional or digital way or both, too. Think solicitations and GoFundMe.
You can also use your personal money, such as from investments and savings. But if you still fall short, you can take out student loans. Be careful about student loans because these can become a heavy burden in the future.
Suffice it to say that funding your study-abroad experience demands careful financial planning. If necessary, ask for professional help or consult with your financial aid advisor.
Read the fine print on the online college international programs available, too. You must compare their costs before making your choice. Program A, for example, may offer more affordable tuition but offers fewer financial aid options.
Benefits of Studying Abroad While Earning Your Degree Online
Both on-campus and online students enjoy the same benefits of studying abroad. But as an online student, you may enjoy the international experience more.
First, you can expand your worldview beyond the digital world. Why limit yourself to images of foreign countries on your computer when you can live there? Your perspective will change when you experience new things and meet new people.
Second, your social interactions abroad will banish your feelings of isolation as an online student. Loneliness is less of an issue when you’re with people in face-to-face situations.
Third, you can bring your international experiences to your virtual classrooms. Even if you’re in a foreign country, you can still take part in online courses. Your fresh insights, thanks to your new learning experiences, will enrich your classes. This wouldn’t be possible if you stayed behind your laptop all the time.
Of course, you will also enjoy the benefits that on-campus students enjoy as international students. These are interrelated benefits, too, meaning one benefit influences another.
- Expand your awareness and competence of foreign cultures
- Experience personal growth by getting out of your comfort zone
- Develop life skills that promote independence, resilience, and resourcefulness
- Learn a new language and appreciate its cultural nuances
- Enrich your online learning experiences through diverse face-to-face interactions
- Develop more confidence in your abilities to thrive in new places
- Increase your future employment prospects due to your international experiences and competitive skills
Plus, you may have travel opportunities you’ve never dreamed possible. If you have a French-issued student visa, you can travel within the Schengen Zone. You can travel for up to 90 days in countries like Austria, Denmark, and Belgium.
Indeed, affordable online education with travel opportunities is possible. Again, you must plan your travels well. Be sure to ask the program coordinator and concerned faculty member about travel opportunities.
American international students can enter many Asian countries with visa exemptions, for example. You can then travel from your host country to another country, say, from Japan to South Korea. Always ask about visa requirements for every country before traveling.
Tips for Choosing an Affordable Study Abroad Program
Cost being a significant barrier in your study-abroad plans means you must start with affordable study abroad programs. Which one is the best in your case? Keep these useful tips in mind to make your choice.
- Compare the costs of the programs you’re interested in. Consider all the costs, too, from tuition to accommodations and more. Add at least 10%-15% to your estimated budget for unforeseen circumstances.
- Consider short-term programs first. You will spend less on summer or semester programs than on extended one-year programs. Your stay may be short but your experience can be more intensive.
- Again, choose more affordable destinations. By more affordable, we mean lower living costs. Eastern European countries, for example, tend to be more affordable than Western European countries. You can also consider foreign universities in smaller cities or rural areas with more affordable living costs.
- Always look at the available financial aid opportunities. Apply for both institutional and external scholarships and grants.
Most importantly, consider your needs and wants in your desire to study abroad. What are your financial resources? What do you want to get out of the experience? The more you know what you have and want, the smarter your choice will be.
Conclusion: Combining Education and Travel Without Breaking the Bank
In conclusion, you must consider earning an online degree as an American international student. You can visit, even live, in a foreign country. Depending on your preference, your stay can be as short as one week or as long as an academic year.
Whatever your choice, the opportunity to learn and travel the world as an international student is yours for the taking. Begin the journey now and embark on an exciting adventure.