is study abroad expensive?

So, is studying abroad expensive? Honestly, it depends, anyone giving you a straight yes/no probably hasn’t looked into it deeply. Places like Germany (check Germany’s DAAD website for details) or Norway practically give away free tuition at public unis, which is wild compared to sticker-shock countries like the U.S. or Australia. But wait, don’t forget the living costs! A cramped Tokyo apartment or London groceries can blow your budget faster than you’d think, while smaller cities might feel surprisingly manageable. Oh, and hidden stuff? Visas, emergency flights home, random fees…they sneak up on you! The upside? There’s SO much help out there: scholarships (I’ve heard good things about IIE), side hustles with student visas, or programs like Erasmus+ that basically pay you to explore Europe. Bottom line? With research, hustle, and maybe picking cheaper spots, it’s way more possible than Instagram influencers make it seem.