Saving the English Way
For a start, let's estimate which country is easiest to save money in. Let's take two classic examples: Great Britain and the USA. No one will dispute the prestige of an English education, but its cost is quite high – per year just for tuition (depending on the chosen institution) you will have to pay $8-13 thousand, and at medicine and business education faculties $5 thousand, or even $10 thousand more. And, of course, food, accommodation and other expenses will amount to about $8-10 thousand per year. If you deny yourself everything – a little less. So, studying in Great Britain costs about $20 thousand per year, which, you will agree, is not a little.
But there are other calculations: for example, the minimum cost of a standard language course (20 lessons per week) with homestay (private room and breakfast) will cost you only 200-250 pounds sterling. And some courses (for example, with trainee teachers or evening courses) can be much cheaper, say, 60 pounds for two weeks – a not at all far-fetched price. We must not forget that on the eve of holidays or in the off-season special offers are made (discounts can reach up to 50%).
By the way, most language schools in Europe have training courses for teachers of their native language as a foreign language, and trainees give free lessons to anyone interested as a supplement to the main course. Thus, you get intensive classes at the price of regular ones. If you want to save even more, you can sign up exclusively for the free course with trainees, and spend money only on accommodation (about $100 per week in a family, half board) and pocket money.
Students of domestic universities can also try their luck in the competition for international exchange programs. This is specifically handled by the Council on International Education Exchange.
If you have decided to apply to one of the American universities, you should keep in mind that submitting documents will cost about $50-75 depending on the institution. Entrance exams – about $100-200. Add to that tests – another $500. Then comes the actual tuition fee. The price range is very wide: from $5 to $30 thousand. And, of course, it depends on the type and prestige of the university. So: $6-31 thousand for the first year of study, and this is not counting food and so on and so forth.
Here it should be said that in US universities, including the most prestigious, say Harvard or Princeton, there is a well-developed system of financial aid for foreigners. But there are also foundations that allocate grants. For example, the American Institute for Foreign Study Scholarship Foundation, the International University Foundation. Information about grants and scholarships should be sought on the Internet, in special reference books, at foreign educational centers (DAAD, the American Educational Center, the British Council, etc.).
Reducing the Euro
But let's return to Europe. Having decided to find the cheapest possible study option, let's turn our gaze to France. There, by the way, the state has taken on the lion's share of education costs: for both its own citizens and foreigners. Although when obtaining a visa you need to prove that you have at least 5.5 thousand euros for a year of study, the fee – an annual contribution at the beginning of the academic year – is only 120-700 euros.
It is clear that private universities and schools cost more, on average the same as in other European countries. But even here you can get a scholarship. Usually it covers all tuition costs (at a private university) and accommodation (at a state university). It is recommended to apply for financial support to the French embassy. If embassy scholarships have run out – directly to the university.
For the sake of economy, one can advise resorting to the 'Study + Internship' program developed by the language center France Langue. We have written about such programs more than once. It usually lasts at least 12 weeks, with most of the time devoted to working in a company in your specialty. If you consider the internship as a continuation of studies for which you don't have to pay, the savings are obvious. And work experience abroad often determines a future career. Some, by the way, stay in the country of study and settle there quite well.
Similar 'Study + Work' programs exist in many countries, but they are especially popular and affordable in Ireland. The standard option is the same 12 weeks: work in the morning and study in the evening. True, in this case the work often offered is unskilled, but you get paid for it (from 6.35 euros per hour), which allows you to recoup all the costs of study and accommodation.
Speaking of Ireland, it is worth noting that its universities are not particularly generous with scholarships for international students, and here you can rather count on financial assistance from the Irish Department of Science and Education.
A frugal way to learn a foreign language is the au pair program. You come to one of the European countries as a babysitter, live with a host family, get a private room, meals, medical insurance. You only have to pay the registration fee, travel, and visa. The costs pay off within a month, as the nanny receives from 200 to 600 euros per month for her work. Moreover, under the program rules you also attend language courses (during time off from work) – at the expense of the family or the organizers.
Analyzing the options for low-cost education in Europe, one cannot help but recall the country of free education – Germany. However, it should be noted that having money to live in the country will have to be confirmed in writing (at least 600 euros per month). Without this you will not get a visa. Once a semester a student is obliged to pay about 100 euros to the university, a room in a rented apartment costs somewhere around 350-400 euros per month. The most economical way is to get a place in a student dormitory, then costs will decrease by 50-100 euros.
True, despite free education, there are many foundations in Germany that provide financial support to foreign students by allocating grants for the entire period of study or part of it. This is a great help in planning expenses. Our compatriots can count on a scholarship only if they have studied for at least two years at a domestic university (however, it is impossible to become a German student immediately after our school). In Germany, as in many other countries, foreign students are allowed to work part-time.
And remember that in Europe you can always save on accommodation, even if you failed to get a place in a dormitory. By staying in cheap youth hostels, you will spend a minimum of your funds. Today there are hostels in any European country. Depending on the category of the hostel and the number of beds in the room, their price can vary from $8 to $20. Moreover, staying in a hostel can cost you even less if you purchase an annual membership card of the international association Youth Hostels (YHA Membership). You will find directories with hostel addresses abroad at any tourist or student information center.