How to Intern Abroad on a Budget

Congratulations! Your internship abroad has been organized at last, and you can’t wait to begin your adventure.

This is an exciting time. You’ll be thinking about what to pack and what to leave, as well as what exactly might await you in your chosen destination. 

In all the excitement, there’s one thing you might not be thinking about: living costs.

But before you panic, take a step back. 

First thing’s first, it’s time for a bit of perspective. Before you get bogged down in spreadsheets and price comparison websites, consider that the expensive part is already paid for. 

You’ll have already paid off your internship fee – or you’re in the process of paying with our instalment plan. In all likelihood, that means both your course and your accommodation (if you opted) are sorted.

The hard part’s out of the way. Now, all you’ve got to think about is living costs. 

After all, living abroad is affordable for anyone, even if money is tight. 

So as you prepare for your internship abroad, here’s our guide on how to tackle a foreign city on a budget.

The most important thing to do is plan ahead. It’s no use turning up to your destination without having thought about the most important thing: your spending money.

You may have savings accumulated through part-time work or generous family members. This might be enough to last you through your program. If not, it’d be wise to look into earning some extra money in the months leading up to your internship.

This way, you’ll have a solid bedrock of savings with which to enjoy your time in your new city.

So now you’ve got money, what do you do with it?

It’s a great idea to create a budget before you leave. 

There are plenty of templates available online, so choose the right one for you. Then divvy up your money according to how many weeks you’ll be abroad. 

This is a good way to work out exactly how much you’ll have to spend each week. After all, it’s often tempting to splurge your money when you arrive in a brand-new city. By budgeting, you’ll realize exactly how much you have to spend.

Another good idea is to ensure you’ve got some back-up funds. Section off some of your money as you work out your budget. You can prepare as much as you like, but life in your destination will be different to what you imagine. It’s always good to have an emergency fund in case you need it.

If you’re looking to estimate how much you might normally spend in a given week, why not try a practice run? Buy all your own food and cook your own dinner for a week, recording how much you spend. Then factor in your leisure expenditure like theater trips or meals out. This way, you’ll have a good idea of just how much living can cost.

It can often add up sooner than you’d think, so it’s a good idea to prepare.

You’ve arrived in your brand-new city, and you’re looking forward to discovering what awaits you.

So after we’ve dropped you at your new accommodation, it’s time to get the lay of the land.

Head to a nearby supermarket and get a sense for how pricey your essentials are. You may have already looked up an international cost comparison; but nothing quite beats getting out there and seeing it for yourself.

Armed with your new information, consult your budget and ensure that everything lines up. If things are more expensive than you were expecting, you might need to tighten your belt. Otherwise, you’ve got a bit more room to manoeuvre. Either way, knowing what awaits you is half the battle.

As you get into the groove of your new city, it’s time to go on the hunt for bargains and freebies.

Search around for the cheapest supermarkets and dollar stores. If you want to pick up some new clothes, try a thrift store or street market. And look up the best attractions you can visit for free – or at least for a low price. You can find guides to every city online – we have a few you can look through too, including Seoul and London – so take advantage of a wealth of information to make the most of your destination.

Online guides are one thing, but you’ve got a secret weapon up your sleeve – your Beyond Community.

Our local community team will be on the ground to provide all the support and assistance you could ever need. We’re experts in your city of choice, so we’ll have plenty of local knowledge to assist you. 

From the restaurants and cafés that offer the best value for money; to the hidden hotspots that only the locals know.

You’ll also have your Beyond Community alongside you. You’ll all be discovering the city together, so make use of each other’s findings. 

A few of your fellow interns may have been in the city for longer, or even completed their internship already; let them guide you to the best attractions the city has to offer. 

The people you meet, including your colleagues, are also a good source of information. The natives of the city will know it like the back of their hand – so ask around for top tips and recommendations!

Another key method of saving money is choosing your battles. Living a Spartan lifestyle may be appealing, but it’s not realistic. You’re in a brand-new city – make the most of it!

What that means is choosing what you want your luxuries to be. 

If you’re a foodie, you’ll want to focus on cafés, restaurants, and bars to sample your city’s culinary culture. If you’re into high-end fashion, you’ll want to pick out a few items of clothing as mementos of your city’s fashion scene.

Or you might be a history buff, so focus on museums, art galleries, and walking tours – many of these things will be free or affordable. Which means you may have extra spending money for dining out or socializing.

If you’re on a budget, you might not get to experience absolutely everything your city has to offer. And that’s okay. By setting aside some luxuries to focus on, you’ll at least get to soak up a slice of your city’s culture. You can’t be a jack of all trades; so take a few carefully chosen past-times and make the most of it.  

After all, you’ll enjoy living in your city so much that you’ll be sure to come back. Everything you don’t try now will be waiting for you then! You may even make friends during your internship who you can stay with on any future trips!

Interning on a budget isn’t as scary as you might think. And in some ways, it’s even a good thing. 

It can give you a deep appreciation for your new city that you wouldn’t receive otherwise. 

You’ll savor every moment and seek out the experiences that money can’t buy. It’ll force you to get creative and make the most out of your destination.

The most important thing is to prepare before you go. Gather together your money – or go out and earn some more if you need to – and work out how much you’ll have per week. Download a budget template (or try making your own) and get to work.

When you’re abroad, make sure to do your research before going on a spending spree. Unless it’s a special occasion, do your best to find cheaper alternatives. Dollar stores and swap meets are great for this; you can pick up some real gems at an affordable price.

And make the most of your local community; whether that’s your colleagues, the Beyond support team, or the Beyond Community itself. They’ve seen it all, and will be eager to help you make the most of their city. It’s a fantastic resource that you’re lucky to have.

Lastly, make sure to pick your battles. Even if you’re on a budget, you need to make room for the finer things in life. What’s the point of interning abroad otherwise?

So pick out a few of your favorite things that you’re willing to spend a little more on. As long as you trade things off – for example, you don’t buy any new clothes so you can eat out at local restaurants – you’ll have enough money to last.

If you’re looking for an internship abroad, Beyond Academy offers 18 industries across 14 different international destinations. From Amsterdam to Sydney, and whether you’re a budding fashion guru or startup whiz, we offer a range of internships to kickstart your career. So contact us today and start planning your international adventure!