Studying abroad can be one of the most rewarding parts of the college experience. It’s a great opportunity to broaden one’s horizons, gain a new cultural perspective, or learn about a favorite subject in a unique way.
The bad news: studying abroad is expensive, and unforeseen costs can leave you strapped for cash far from home.
That’s why before heading abroad, it’s important to know how to receive an international money transfer.
There are a few different ways to receive money, and the best method will depend largely on the situation. Here are a few quick and easy tips for getting money abroad that you can use whether you have time to plan the transfer in advance or find yourself in an emergency.
If you can stick to a budget: Send money to yourself in advance
Booking flights, picking classes, and making a list of can’t-miss sights are all big parts of planning out a semester abroad. If you plan out your spending budget in advance, there’s an easy way to make sure there’s money to meet you wherever you go.
If you want access to the local currency wherever you go without carrying around wads of cash while you travel, sending money to yourself in advance is a good option.
Depending on where you’re headed, an advance money transfer can help you avoid international ATM fees and possibly lock in a favorable exchange rate. Less time worrying about currency fluctuations means more time to check things off your abroad bucket list.
Financing a weekend excursion: Online money transfer
So you’ve been abroad for a few weeks and are starting to get the hang of life in a new country. You’re ready to take a trip with some friends to another city, but you need a little extra money to pay for a train ticket. Luckily, online money transfers make it easy enough to finance these kinds of spontaneous trips.
Our online money transfers can be sent Next Day1 or In Minutes1 and can be tracked by both the sender and receiver. These transactions offer a great deal of flexibility because receivers can pick up funds at one of more than 500,000 Western Union® Agent locations worldwide.
Lost or stolen wallet? Expedited transfer with “In Minutes1″
Being stuck in a foreign country without access to money is a highly stressful scenario. As long as you’ve still got your passport (keeping it separate from your wallet is an essential travel tip), there’s a way to get your hands on some cash quickly if you’ve lost your wallet abroad.
Our “In Minutes1” service is a fast way to receive money abroad online. These emergency funds can be picked up at a Western Union® Agent location quickly and conveniently. You’ll be breathing easy and back on your feet in no time at all.
As a student abroad, you already have enough to think about as you adjust to the pace of life in a new country. Thankfully, knowing the best ways to receive money from back home doesn’t have to be one of them.
Try out our currency converter and start planning how much you’ll need to help the student in your life make the most of everything that studying abroad has to offer.
1. Date available will be displayed on receipt for international transfers over $15. Service and funds availability depends on certain factors including the Service selected, the selection of delayed delivery options, special terms applicable to each Service, amount sent, destination country, currency availability, regulatory issues, consumer protection issues, identification requirements, delivery restrictions, agent location hours, and differences in time zones (collectively, “Restrictions”).
