Study abroad phase is undoubtedly an exciting phase in anybody’s life. With sizable investment being made, one is likely to feel the pinch. And moreover, pestering parents for additional money is the last thing, one would have on mind. So what is the solution? Obviously finding ways to earn a few bucks for your pocket money and other expenses, let us see how.

1.  Find a tutoring opportunity

For Students with good academic standing, one of the best ways to earn money is through tutoring students having difficulty with their studies. One doesn’t have to hunt for tutoring jobs elsewhere, as many of your juniors itself, would be in search of someone to help them with their studies.  Tutoring opportunities not only earn money, it can help you improve your own studies.

2.  Find a Part-Time Job

Managing work alongside studies can be quite a demanding task. But for those who can handle it with proper time management and prioritization, part time work can provide handsome rewards financially and can add valuable work experience. However, make sure your job does not stretch that far, where you are compromising your studies and putting your health in the back-burner.

3.  Take up summer jobs

Summer vacations are real time to cash in as international student. In majority of overseas study destinations, students can work for unlimited hours, as number of seasonal businesses, require increased work force during this seasons. There is huge demand for workers during this period. Usually such vacancies come up in restaurants, amusement parks; catering services etc as these businesses are at its peak during summer vacations.

4. Freelance

Freelancing is one of the best ways for international students to garner money during their study abroad period. Internet in a great way has enhanced avenues for freelancers, with scores of freelance site offering jobs and projects in diverse areas. All that one requires is to create an account on these sites. One can bid for a particular work through the site.  With regard to payment, as most credible freelance site has escrow arrangement, which means that a particular payment remains in an escrow account for the service provider.  So there is very little chance of fraud. There are number of students studying abroad who are making considerable amount per month through freelancing. This not only helps you earn money, it also helps you build valuable work experience.

5. Look for Promotional and on-Campus Jobs

With companies requiring promotional activities round the year,  there are ample number of jobs available for international students as volunteers for promotional  events,  pamphlet distributors, product promotion assistants at public places , supermarkets etc, which provide  a tidy amount. Apart from promotional jobs, on campus jobs can be a possible earning opportunity.  Though the remuneration would be no match considering what outside job offer, one can have a steady job throughout the study period, without having to travel much for work, plus university jobs are relatively easy which you can  take along with ease.

6.  Try your hands at business of small scale

Most of us just require a spark to exhibit our business acumen, though not of mammoth proportion but surely one that can help earn a tidy amount. One of the best options would be to organize stalls at small events to sell your wares. It wouldn’t also be a bad idea to try your hands at events, by hosting birth day parties, get together etc, fully adhering to the rules and regulations of the host country.

Your Study abroad phase need not be fully dependent on money from home. As with the right attitude, networking, time management and prioritization; one can effortlessly do part time jobs while studying abroad and earn money. So do not just limit your study abroad phase for studies, master the art of becoming self reliant from day one.

Landing in a foreign land, surrounded by unfamiliar people, customs can give any one a harrowing time, at least for the first couple of months, where the only respite would be to talk to ones loved ones, which ever medium it might be through. This is where technology comes to our rescue. Communicating with our loved ones is no more a hassle and also need not cause a fortune. Let us explore a few of them here.

Skype

Skype is more than handy while studying abroad, as it offers free video chatting and allow one to make phones at fraction of a cost. Depending on your location and country to which you are making the call, Skype credit can be purchased and calls can be made to mobile numbers and landlines. This really helps in an emergency, when one does not have access to a computer or if the time difference makes it difficult to make a Skype chat.

 Whats App

This application has taken the world by storm and is considered one of the fastest, convenient and cost effective way as it allows one to text internationally through ones data plan, and help keep in touch with family  and friends, without bearing international texting charges. The best part is that even if there are internet disruptions, incoming texts notifications are received as soon as you are connected to the internet.

Facebook

Face book is probably   the world’s most explored tool by people, which helps one to stay in touch with family and friends, no matter which part of the world they reside, as it not only allow one to chat with friends in ones friend list, it also allows one to post photos within a matter of seconds, helping you post your status which your loved ones can track.

Google chat and hangouts

Google+ and Google Hangouts are wonderful applications which help one have normal chats and video chats; with a number of people simultaneously this can be a great way to interact with your friends and family without trying them separately. Once in a week scheduling a video chat can help you keep a tab on all happenings back home.

 Phone Calls

International phone calls by no means are cheap, so that this cannot be a regular feature. For those who can afford this luxury, many exciting plans are provided by telephone service providers. So choose a plan that has maximum talk time and minimum call rate and top up options.  Make full use of a time slot when calls are charged the bare minimum, which is usually during the wee hours. If these suit your home country’s time zone, make the most out of it.

Emails

Email is the best option to communicate with your near and dear ones back home, which only requires internet connections at both the ends.  You can write (read type) your heart out, without bothering about the limitation of words, space consumed etc. The best part is that, you can attach your photographs along with your mail and simply sent it across within a second.  Though mails are not fashionable way of communication in this lightning quick world, it is still effective.

Snail Mail

Though this is never suggested for swift and reliable communication it still has its charm as the feel of writing in your own handwriting and that your loved ones are getting the message in a tangible form in itself strikes a emotional chord, so it would be a best choice to sent a snail mail or use a post card to scribble some lines on it and sent it across.  Your family would love to receive it from you.

Though this is not an exhaustive list of tools that aid your study abroad communication needs, at least one might serve your purpose, so cheer up,  studying abroad does not mean you are totally cut off from your family and friends. Make the most of cost effective communication tools and stay connected throughout your study abroad phase.