Studying abroad is an expensive undertaking, a year abroad might cost as much as a decent sized car. Below I have written down 22 tips that can save you big money if you want to study at a language school. All of them are based on preciously gained experiences from working for years in the industry.
Avoid big cities
If you want to see a city, but also want to save why not go for a location a little outside the center? For example: You can have a great time studying English and enjoy the beach by going to Noosa instead of Brisbane. Its just an hour away, and you can still go shopping.
Seek out the cities
This might sound contrary, but the bigger the city the more competition for schools. You might get a better deal here. Just be prepared to pay top dollar for accommodation. Auckland, Brisbane and Vancouver are good examples where this is valid.
Book only a few weeks of accommodation
You are likely to find a nice and much cheaper shared apartment when you get there. Just look around at the school bulletin boards, talk to your classmates or scan the newspapers.
Don’t last-minute
Flight tickets become much more expensive and all the good accommodation will have gone. That family that nobody really wants? Its the last one to go..
Go in winter
So that is June-August in Australia. Or Nov-March in the rest of the world. Cheaper fees, and less of a crowd. Just avoid the smallest schools as they will be more or less dead.
Don’t go to the USA or UK
Budget destinations are Canada, Australia and New Zealand, and typically the schools are much better as the classrooms are not as crowded.
If you want to save even more..
Go to Cebu in the Philippines. Good 1:1, 1:4 teaching for very little money. Your classmates are 100% Korean & Japanese.
Hunt for bargains
Never pay full price. Many schools have special offers, book a few weeks more and you can get free weeks. They won’t put this on their websites, so an agency or the Internet is your best friend here.
Visit exhibitions
Most schools try to have a special promotion for exhibitions. If there is an exhibition near, be sure to go there, gather information and find out about discounts.
Visit an agency
They know the best prices around, and which schools to avoid. With hundreds of schools worldwide their knowledge can be invaluable and save you from disaster.
Don’t visit an agency
Some agencies charge fees — are they really worth Euro 100? Or can you do everything by yourself? Ask about this before you book.
Work part-time to earn some money
The working holiday visa in Australia is insanely popular. But you need to speak at least some English, otherwise its cleaning toilets all the way. It won’t cover your costs — but it will cover those beers at the beach.
Study half-day
If you don’t want to learn how to speak do this. Most schools do conversation in the afternoon. Most Asian students think this a waste of time and rather cram in the library. European students love this bit best — its fun and you get to talk to the girls.
Refer students to your old school
After you come back keep in touch with the principal and refer new students. You might be able to work out a little commission deal. Most study abroad agencies got started this way, this works best for small schools.
Pay all your tuition fees in advance
To qualify for a discount you need to pay up in advance. It is usually much more expensive if you book 4 weeks first and then try to extend.
Try to extend at the lower rate
That said, there is nothing against trying to continue studying at a lower rate. Your agency at home might also have some special favors to owned it. But just don’t be disappointed if it didn’t work.
Don’t borrow money to study abroad
Make sure you can pay for this out of hand. Studying abroad for a long time can be as expensive as buying a new car. Apply the same scrutiny to enrolling at a language school as you would to buying a new car.
Don’t book a return airport delivery
Just do make sure you have someone picking you up on arrival ; it might be expensive but its worth it. On the way back you can do all the trickery with buses, trains and taxis by yourself.
Arrive on the official dates
Most schools have accommodation start on Sunday, departing on Saturday. If you arrive earlier or depart later you have to pay for the extra days at a higher rate.
Don’t require internet at your accommodation
Take it if its for free — but many families charge extra for it. Most schools offer it for free during school hours.
Bigger classes are cheaper
The smaller the clas size, the more expensive the course. That said, if there are more than 15 people in your classroom you will be pretty much be ignored by the teachers.
Be aware of advertised lessons / minutes
Most schools offer classes in lessons, but those lessons can be from 30 to 60 minutes in length. Calculate how many real hours you are buying ! (30 lessons of 40 minutes = 25 lessons of 50 minutes)