Study Abroad program costs

<p>As DD1 is beginning to look for summer abroad programs next year, we started collecting info for this year to think ahead of time (helicopters'r'us and all that). The cost for a 5 week course in Germany is (tuition alone) $4500 (we're OOS) and $2500 IS. For a course that is OOS in either case :) so it makes me wonder why they make the distinction. Other programs abroad don't have different rates for IS and OOS. The program costs what it costs.</p>

<p>Here's where it gets funnier. If one signs up for the program directly with the German school the cost is $1k (Euro 700) for members of partner institutions (of which DD1's school is). So, unless I'm missing something $1k all of a sudden became $2500 / $4500? </p>

<p>Other programs are not priced like this - i.e. if you DIY the registration process outside the school it's the same as thru the school) But some are. On top of the program fees one is also billed $500 or so for various fees and the like... </p>

<p>As useful as summer programs are someone is making a major killing on them - $4500 for a month's worth of 15-18 hours in class? Brrr.</p>

<p>Usually the program provided by the home college costs higher. But the advantage is the quality and the credits approved by the home program. My DD attended 6 weeks program provided by her college last summer. The total cost was about 10k. Fortunately her college gave her about 2.5k grant and 2.5k loan. She got 2 semester credits and was able to take advanced level class at her college last fall.</p>

<p>An important aspect of studying abroad is the opportunity to live in a good family so that the students can practice speaking and learn about culture. If you live in a dorm with other international students or live in an appartment without daily interaction with local people then you will have less chance to learn.</p>

<p>My DD lived with a family of 5 last summer. The mom was a college prof. The dad was a professional. The kids were in elementary school, high school, and college. She had lots of time to speak. The family treated her like their children.</p>

<p>My DD is OOS at her school and did a winter session abroad. Like during the year, we paid OOS tuition for the credits she took there (it was a lot less for the I-S students!). This program was through her university - no option for doing it through a school in Europe.</p>

<p>IMHO, some US colleges put a surcharge onto study abroad programs. Not certain what advantage enures to student. If your student can get pre-approved credit, not certain any benefit. It seems to me that home schools are charging for credits. Nice.</p>

<p>turbo93,</p>

<p>Smart to look ahead. If the school allows Direct Enroll, I say do it. My D’s U allowed this for both semesters she did abroad and it saved lots of money. She paid her U a $75 fee each semester to stay on the books, and they had pre-aproved all her courses, so she knew before she left she would get the credits.</p>

<p>Given what some of the programs cost it would have to be some Royal family :). I can understand classes like summer studio (architecture) taught by a home university prof. in some forsaken place or another, but if the class is offered by the away institution either way it gets one to wonder…</p>

<p>To add another element, some European schools charge a lot less for EU passport holders (which we have :)).</p>

<p>turbo93,</p>

<p>That lower charge is usually dependent on having paid taxes in the EU for three years prior to attending.</p>

<p>My D’s study abroad program in Prague charged a small surcharge (can’t remember the amount) over regular home school tuition. However, this surcharge includes housing and lots of travel (2 weekend trips and one week-long trip - housing and meals) as well as outings around town (opera, symphony, sightseeing). So, all in all, we are saving money this semester. :)</p>

<p>turbo - You will be angrier if you look at foreign student exchange programs during a regular school year. My D is thinking about a semester exchange at an European college next year. But she will have to pay full tuition to her college while the foreign college only charges less than 1K to international students. Many other american colleges do the same thing.</p>

<p>Glad to see that the taxes I pay in Elbonia (rental apartment grossing 3600 euros a year and paying 2000 of it in taxes) will go to good use after all :)</p>

<p>Not all schools charge token tuition tho. TU Delft (Netherlands) charges serious $$… But most don’t.</p>