Studying abroad may be a new chapter in your life as a student. This may also be the first time when you will be responsible for your well being as an adult. We realize that this can be a tough and anxiety-filled task as many of you are stepping out of your country’s confines for the first time, so we have created some pointers below to help ease your stress.
What are the different options available for you as a student?
An essential thing for you as a student is to choose the right kind of student accommodation that you want to live in. Though it may seem very straightforward, different accommodation kinds are suited to students who have different needs. This is why we implore that you consider your personal needs and choices before you make this decision. Accommodations could vary in sizes, affordability, utilities, and a few other important aspects students can look at.
PBSA
PBSA is the pick of the lot as these are premium student-centric spaces created, keeping in mind all of the students’ wants and desires. The rent is very feasible, and the amenities provided are top class. Their prime location also makes travelling in and around the location pretty easy and efficient for all the students living here. Another plus point is that the rent includes your utilities and facilities, so you won’t have to take any extra burden at the end of the month.
Private Accommodation
Private accommodation is a perfect choice if you want your privacy and independence, which may not always be possible with the other options mentioned in this list. With private accommodation, there are many options available, and therefore your location will not be a significant hindrance for you.
While there may be certain perks such as privacy and choice of their location a private accommodation can be costly. You’ll have to pay separately for the various utilities and amenities that you’ll be provided.
Family Accommodation/Homestay
Even though you may have always dreamed of discovering new opportunities and pastures, going away from home can be very tough, especially for the first time. It’s only natural for you to miss the place where you were brought up. If you have those blues and miss the vibe of being at your home, then this is the perfect kind of accommodation for you. Find your home away from home with family accommodation so that you can have a great time at your university.
While the environment of the family may be welcoming, most of this family accommodation or homestays are usually not located in the close vicinity of the university, which means that you may have to travel a lot. Still, at the same time, you really get to understand the local culture and cuisine of the place.
All the types of accommodation mentioned above come with the following configurations:
Shared: A preferred choice for people on a budget. The entire unit is shared by multiple people, usually, strangers, who might have to share restrooms.
En-suite: You can have an entire room to yourself and a private bathroom, which isn’t the case in the shared setting. It’s the optimal option for people who need privacy.
Studio: The extravagant lot can opt for a Studio apartment and have the entire space–which includes a private bathroom, and a kitchen in most cases–to themselves. It’s recommended for couples or a group of friends.
Tips on how you can save money
Opt for Off-campus accommodation:
Living on or off-campus is one of the critical decisions a student has to make as a part of their abroad education venture. People in the education industry have been divided over this one topic since both seem to be a viable option. While living on-campus can save you many hassles, it may blow a sizable hole in your pocket. Off-campus living comes with its pros and cons. But over time we’ve realized that money is the number one most important factor in the choice, and on average, an off-campus accommodation costs way less than an on-campus one, the only cons being accessibility and sociability, which can be curbed with the right choice of transport and a friendly attitude.
Getting a part-time job
Given how costly it is to live on your own, demanding monthly allowances will quickly drain your parents’ bank account. So, it becomes imperative for you to get yourself a job, preferably part-time, to make both ends meet. Yes, it will get hectic managing your job and studies. Still, a little time management will allow you to incorporate both into your daily routine seamlessly. Apart from becoming self-sufficient, you can also unwind during the weekends with some light-hearted partying or traveling, mainly hitting two birds with one stone. We don’t encourage hitting birds, though.
Avoiding Credit Cards
Credit cards are a construct of exploitation, and we urge against using one. Our caution arises from the fact that if you fall behind on repayments, it can hurt your mental well-being, directly affecting the very thing you’re there for: Education. Credit cards also encourage an unwarranted high-rolling attitude, and before you know it, you’ll be in a second debt, considering you’ve taken an education loan. So to avoid any stymie to your Education, it’s better to stick to cash or online transactions.
Coupons and Bulk-Buying
An average student spends approx. 1200$ (or an equivalent figure in pounds/euros) annually in books and stationery. That seems like a pretty hefty amount, especially when you’re living on your own. The same can be said for grocery shopping, wherein you can get a pretty nasty surprise if you don’t control your choices. So it’s advisable to search for any coupons that may apply to the store you’re visiting, making the cost bearable.
Buying and stocking up on non-perishables like toiletries can also go a long way in saving you some time and extra bucks since you’ll probably get them in one round-trip, and stores often have offers when you buy things in bulk.
Conclusion
As a student, the prospect of moving to a foreign land, with no experience may feel a bit daunting, especially during the days leading up to your travel. It is natural, and no amount of deep breaths is going to stop it. What you can do is make prior arrangements for the things you can control, like booking accommodations, so that you can at least have a bed ready for you to soak in the cultural shock.
But choosing accommodation itself can be a fatiguing task, given the sheer number of available choices and your complete unawareness about the foreign land. We at AmberStudent are glad to take that burden off your shoulders, with our catalog of 1000+ properties spread across the world, with step-by-step assistance throughout the entire process.