It should come as no surprise that when an international student arrives to set themselves up for starting a school year in the US that unexpected costs can quickly appear. Anyone that has ever moved, even across a city or town, knows that it can be expensive, and if you’re in a new country with different norms and expectations, this can be especially true. The article points out that some cities in the US are much more expensive than others, that off campus housing can be a wildcard in a student’s budget, and issues like tipping expectations or needing to buy a new type of clothing for a season you’ve never experienced before can put a dent in anyone’s budget. The key message is to plan ahead and have a financial cushion to account for extra expenses. I was reminded of this yesterday when our youngest daughter texted to say ‘hi, my laptop is not charging……’!
