Having access to a college dining hall (although it’s not always the best), often masks the real cost and effort required to prepare a healthy, nutritious, and affordable diet. For students like me who still live in a dorm and rely on a 15, 21, or unlimited college meal plan, it can be confusing at first to balance a student budget while trying to also buy real food. If you want to survive your semester with your stomach and your wallet intact, hear me out! Here's the unofficial guide to not starving or being broke while living the abroad dream!
1. Before going, discover your go-to supermarket:
A pro tip I give to anyone travelling to a new place is to take advantage of the internet. Before or after knowing where your residence is, try to find different supermarket websites near you and get a range of prices based on your average food needs. For instance, I only need to prepare my lunch, so after finding the websites, I can look for my needed ingredients and get a notion of their total cost.
That not only keeps you away from buying at a luxury supermarket by accident (Yes, I did it. Do NOT recommend it.), but also allows you to slowly start to plan your budget based on your true necessities.
Additional Tips:
(#1) We need more than food to survive, so use that as a chance to figure out which places are best to purchase food, hygiene products, etc.
(#2) Research that information in the language of the country you're going to. For example, in France it would be “supermarché Paris autour de moi”. Personally, I discovered that Carrefour and Marché Frais were the best cheap options.
(#3) Remember: prices are seasonal, exchange rates fluctuate, and inconveniences could happen, so always stipulate about 10%-15% more.
2. Get Tupperware: More Valuable Than Your Passport.
My biggest mistake while being abroad was trying to cook a different meal every day. That was not only VERY time-consuming, but also cost-inefficient. After a long day of classes and using public transportation, you WILL be tired. And not only that, you could be very tempted by the €2,99 pizza, which is okay once in a while, but not every day.
Combat laziness and convenience by taking advantage of your Sunday. Get together with your friends, host family, or enjoy your own company cooking! First, cook one massive dish, then invest in good Tupperware containers or cheap disposable ones. You can freeze your food and just heat it when needed. If you cook once and eat seven times, you’ve just saved 14 hours of dishes and enough money for a round of gelato or a museum trip with friends.
Additional Tips: (#1) My goal for week prep is: ground meat, smashed potatoes, veggies (carrots are the best ones to freeze), and mozzarella cheese on top. To make your life quicker and cheaper, you can always buy premade smashed potatoes.
3. Eat Like a Local!
If you want to eat out, do it! But always stay away from the tourist-like restaurants as they tend to be more expensive and also have average food. You can eat well far away from tourist places. Not only that, eating the Menu of the Day can help you save A LOT of money, while also giving you the opportunity to try the real cuisine of that country.
When outside, take advantage of Google Maps (YES, it's your new best friend)! A five-minute extra walk can not only save you money, but also give you the opportunity to know the city a little better. Whenever I choose to take a walk to a place, the first thing that catches my attention is finding new places to eat, or a small shop that would've not been seen in a rush or by another means of transportation. Recently, when I took the wrong turn walking, I discovered in Paris a place called Merci Jérôme; so far it's the best boulangerie I've eaten, and to add on that, everything is handmade.
4. First Week Abroad
Once you arrive for Orientation Week, don’t be scared. This is the moment for you to take advantage not only of the good food, but also explore the opportunity to meet new people.
I never thought that saying “I’m so hungry” would allow me to meet such nice individuals, whom I can already call my friends. So PLEASE do not stress about strict budgeting during these initial days, and remember: bonding over shared hunger can be very strong!
Final Thoughts
Eating and feeding yourself is part of your study abroad experience; you will spend more than necessary, will accidentally burn your food, and even buy sparkling water instead of the normal one (I don't recommend it either, especially when it's a package of 10). You will probably have a lot of pasta days, but you will also have your days of glory.
In Portuguese, there's a saying, “não seja mão de vaca”, which means “don't be a cheapskate.” Saving money is crucial, but remember to also live and enjoy. Don't limit yourself to the point that you miss out on the culture. If there is a local place you've been dying to try, or a trendy shop your friends are heading to, spend the money. Budgeting on the routine days is crucial; the Sundays spent meal-prepping with your Tupperware are exactly what buys you the freedom to say "yes" to those unforgettable experiences.
So always remember to eat well, shop local, and enjoy your experience.
Bom apetite!
Thayna Henrique
Hey IES Abroad! I’m Tata Henrique, a Brazilian in the U.S. (and now Paris) who lives for culture, chaotic grocery runs, and learning outside the classroom. As an Econ/Business major, I’ll bring you the best, unfiltered student guide to surviving study abroad!
