I would recommend calculating an estimate for the total cost of living in the area where you will be studying by looking up the monthly amount. Then, aim to save that amount plus a little more in case of emergencies and to accommodate for foreign transaction fees. I would further encourage you to track your purchases either through banking apps or with a spreadsheet (or both) as it will help gauge when you can splurge a bit or when it is best to spend conservatively. And please, notify your banks you will be traveling and making international purchases, as the worst thing that can happen is losing access to your cards because the bank thinks a transaction is fraud.
If you are planning to travel out of the country while abroad, the earlier you can book things, the better. Cheap buses, train rides and flights are available, but the longer you wait to buy tickets, the more availability will decrease and thus, the prices will increase. I recommend looking into smaller airports rather than the bigger ones if possible, and often reserving an AirBnB is cheaper than staying at a hotel.
So Far This Semester . . .
Initially, I struggled with the time difference. Jetlag aside, being five hours ahead of everyone back home was an adjustment I had to make. As the weeks have gone on, however, it has become easier to plan calls and send messages across the pond. This relates to another quick piece of advice...
