Spending time abroad broadens everyone's horizons. It is the perfect opportunity to learn a new language, get to know foreign cultures and make contacts all over the world. A semester abroad as part of your studies is the perfect chance for a stay overseas. At a university it is that much easier to meet new people. But what study abroad semester costs should you expect?

What Costs Should I Expect Beforehand?

Study abroad semester costs

Study abroad semester costs can arise not only during the semester abroad but even before it. First, you should find out whether the new country charges tuition. In Germany, studying at public universities is free, which can look very different in other countries. If it is a partner university of your own university in Germany, however, these fees may be waived. That is why it is important to find out in advance. There are also travel costs, of course. If your semester abroad takes you overseas, it pays to look for good deals early. You should also definitely take out international health insurance so you are covered if something goes wrong.

What Costs Will I Face While Abroad?

It makes the most sense to think about potential study abroad semester costs in advance. To do that, you can compare prices in the new country with those back home and identify possible savings or risk costs. First you should take care of housing. In most college towns you can quickly find a room in a shared apartment or even a small apartment of your own. Some partner universities also arrange rooms in residence halls, which are often very cheap. Depending on the country and city, rents differ greatly from those in Germany. One way to cover your rent partly or even entirely is to sublet your place back home so you don't pay double rent.

Language courses are an extra cost to help you get by in the foreign country. Then there are living costs, such as groceries, public transit passes, and money for field trips as part of your studies, for private excursions and for leisure activities.

Study abroad semester costs

What Funding Options Are There to Cover the Costs?

  • ERASMUS
  • Auslands-BAföG (German federal student aid for study abroad)
  • Scholarships or student loans

Of course, it is unavoidable to save some money before your upcoming semester abroad. Still, there are several programs that help students get through this expensive time. The best known is the ERASMUS program, in which students doing a semester abroad in Europe receive a grant of 50 to 200 euros. This money does not have to be paid back. You can also apply for Auslands-BAföG, the German federal student aid for study abroad. The payout, however, depends on your parents' income. Travel costs are covered and you receive a monthly amount. Private student loans and scholarships can also be used.