Check out these inexpensive study abroad programs in Europe that are great for U.S. students watching their dollars.
If you think studying abroad is out of reach for you financially, think again and read on. Several European countries offer free or affordable tuition for students from the U.S. and other countries. You’d still have to budget for living expenses, so if there’s a country here that appeals to you continue looking into ways to make your stay and study abroad experience affordable.
Germany
Germany’s public universities charge no tuition fees to anyone, including Americans who choose to study there. And student life, including music, sports, beer, and local foods, can be less expensive in Germany than other developed European countries.
Private universities do have higher tuition, but they still may be more reasonable or comparable to U.S. tuitions. Also, much of Germany speaks English making the transition easier for Americans.
Austria
Austria attracts students with its low tuition fees and rich culture. As of January 2022, U.S. students pay on average $743 per semester. Tuition fees for private universities and the Universities for Applied Sciences differ.
In historic Vienna and Salzburg, you’ll need a slightly higher budget to cover your living expenses. Student cities, like Linz or Graz, can be lower in cost. No matter where you study, gorgeous architecture covers the country and, across Austria, coffee is an art form.
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic lets anyone study for free with one caveat: you must speak the language or be willing to learn the language! So, if speaking Czech is something you can or want to do, take advantage of this incredible opportunity.
Living in the architecturally stunning cities of the Czech Republic is very affordable. The average living expenses are far lower than many European cities.
Norway
Norway is much like Germany in that tuition to public universities is free regardless of your country of origin. Class sizes are small, and many universities offer programs taught in English. To apply as an undergrad from the U.S., you must have a high school diploma and at least one year of college (or scores of at least 3 on three Advanced Placement exams).
Norway can be affordable for students studying abroad, but keep in mind the country has one of the highest costs of living in the world. Still, it attracts students and is known as the most sustainable country in the world. And, of course, there’s the hiking, northern lights, and midnight sun.
Sweden
Students pursuing research-based doctoral programs can get free tuition in Sweden—and some programs even provide stipends. However, Sweden’s high cost of living may outweigh the free tuition so evaluate carefully. A real bonus to U.S. students is that many courses and even entire programs are taught in English. The schools also focus on group work, preparing students for today’s workplace.
Iceland
Surprisingly, all four public colleges in Iceland are free to American students. The primary language of instruction is Icelandic, but the University of Iceland offers several study programs that are taught fully in English and open to international students. While the average cost of living in Iceland is significantly higher than the U.S., you can’t put a price on a plunge in those natural hot springs or the awe-inspiring landscape where you can explore volcanoes, lava fields, glaciers, black sand beaches and more.
Making Study Abroad Finances Convenient
Aside from the cost of the education program, international students must pay for housing, living expenses, travel, and related school fees. Some of these can be paid before you arrive. Others, like your food, rent, local transportation, and entertainment, may be paid on an ongoing basis.
Western Union makes it easy to access your money for these expenses. WU® Global Pay can be used to seamlessly pay tuition to your school. For regular expenses, the Western Union app can deliver much-needed funds from family or friends, or you can send money ahead, before you travel, so it’s waiting in the local currency for you at one of our many convenient Western Union agent locations. One final tip—avoid exchanging currencies at an airport, where fees tend to be higher than through most other services.
Sources:
https://ivypanda.com/blog/46-study-abroad-statistics-convincing-facts-and-figures/
https://www.usnews.com/education/best-global-universities/slideshows/top-10-study-abroad-destinations-for-us-students
https://www.student.com/articles/countries-american-students-study-free-europe
https://www.investopedia.com/articles/personal-finance/080616/6-countries-virtually-free-college-tuition.asp
https://www.mastersportal.com/articles/429/studying-in-austria-tuition-fees-and-funding.html
https://heyexplorer.com/what-is-norway-famous-for
