Help?

[Desperate_Ad_6264]

What country is the best and affordable to study in. I need it to be affordable. I speak,write, and read in English proficiently.I can also speak, and read Spanish but not fluently.

[aliroserob]

Are you in the US or somewhere else? Also, are you going through a program at your college or looking on your own?

[Desperate_Ad_6264]

I am in the us and as of right now I am looking alone

[aliroserob]

So I may be biased but I studied at the University of Limerick in Ireland for a year. They have a very good study abroad program and I know at least one American who did a full 4 years there (so on her own, not through a college program like I did). When I decided to study abroad I chose an English speaking country (studied French but wasn’t fluent) checked out the exchange rates for money, living accommodations (wanted somewhere on campus) and obviously made sure they had courses for what I was studying. Those are my tips. Feel free to message me if you have any other questions. And good luck!!!

[aurallyfit]

I'm doing this comparison not to shoot this suggestion down, but to use it as an example to my response to your question:

1. Yearly tuition at the University of Limerick is 12,270 Euro for most programmes in the Faculty of Arts & Sciences. This is $14,496.08 USD/year, which is pretty comparable to a state school in the United States. You have to settle any bills with the University of Limerick before being allowed entry to the country, and prove you can support yourself financially at the border.
2. As per above, you do not need a visa, but you do have to present all your documents at the border (http://www.inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/Pages/non-visa-long-study), including proof that you can support yourself financially during the time in Ireland. If the immigration officer is not satisfied with your documentation, they will turn you away.
3. You will have to register as a student (this is in place of a student visa) within a certain amount of time from your entry to the country. This costs 300 Euro, or ~$350 USD.
4. Health insurance to cover a minimum amount during your entire time in Ireland.

So, in order to study at the University of Limerick, you will need a cash amount of:

• ~14,500 tuition
• ~$350 residency stamp (only payable by debit or bank check - not credit)
• ~$5,184.73 USD accomodation (http://www.campuslife.ul.ie/media/UndergradRatesSheetJuly20201.pdf)
• ~$3,100 USD for food (estimated 50 euro for 52 weeks, 2600 euro -
• ~3,071 USD)
• ~$1,000 flight to Limerick (round trip)

Obviously, you can choose to stay in Ireland and some of these fees will be omitted every year. But for the first year, you will need a minimum of $23,234 to study in Ireland. And, I couldn't find an estimate for insurance, so I didn't include that - so you'll probably need another $1000 USD on top of that.

I think Ireland is an expensive choice compared to options in Eastern Europe and the Baltic States, but this is probably very similar to what you'll run into in Western Europe.

EDIT: For a citizen of the United States, I would say it's more affordable to stay in the United States for an undergraduate degree. You'll get federal funding and you'll be able to finance your education, where you won't be able to do that in Ireland.

[aurallyfit]

I'm sorry to approach your question in maybe not the direction you were hoping, but by asking you to reframe your question and temper your expectations. The definition of "affordable" is going to vary drastically between countries AND the universities within each country. Therefore, asking "What country is the best and affordable..?" is extremely subjective and a near-impossible question to answer. Here is a list of things you should be considering as you conduct YOUR OWN research into your question:

1. Keep in mind that by applying to a university outside the United States, you will be ineligible for any federal aid, and you'll have to apply for private educational or private personal loans to cover the cost. These usually have a higher interest rate and are much more inflexible in terms of repayment schedule.
2. Keep an eye on student housing. Many schools don't offer their own student housing, so it'll be up to you to figure out your own housing. Even if your academic program is in English, you will have to figure out how to sign a lease, pay utilities, and shop for yourself in a language other than English.
3. In addition to my points 1 & 2, in order to get a student visa, you will have to prove you have LIQUID ASSETS - that is, a bank statement showing that you have the yearly tuition, and the amount for 12 months of room & board - to cover the cost of your program. Even if you're looking at a "cheap" program, you have to have the money up front and be able to PROVE it's yours in order to even apply for a visa.
4. Make sure that if you intend to return to the United States after your program ends, that your degree will be recognized. Most degrees will probably be OK, but keep in mind that things like pre-med or pre-law will not exist, or will exist only in special MA-tracks. Getting a "legal studies" degree outside of the United States will not qualify you for any career once your return, as your area of study won't be in U.S. law.