Honeymoon Exchange at Ryerson


By Klara Hofman, Exchange Student at Ryerson in Fall 2018

Never in my life would I have pictured to have such intense experiences in just one semester! Traveling is without a doubt in my genes and it is something I wouldn’t want to miss in my life. So, I started looking for opportunities to spend a semester abroad while academically improving and making progress in my studies. Luckily, my home university in Trier (Germany) is partners with Ryerson’s School of Child and Youth Care. I was in a rush – applied – got picked – got accepted and just a blink of an eye later, I arrived at Pearson Airport in August 2018.

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Budgeting for Exchange

So you’ve heard about the exchange program and you’ve already listed all the cities you want to visit. You’re daydreaming about the incredible sights you’ll see, flavorful foods you’ll try and inspirational people you’ll meet until the thought of the associated expenses tramples you back into the reality of a student budget.

As exciting as going on exchange is, you still have to be a responsible adult (sigh) and plan your expenses, but you shouldn’t let financial fears stop you from studying abroad. Managing and budgeting your expenses (especially in a different currency) is a valuable skill that might give you a new outlook on your spending habits, even upon returning to Canada.

Don’t know where to start?

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RU Debt Free? Tips on Saving and Budgeting for Exchange

Studying abroad at one of Ryerson’s exchange partner universities is a great opportunity to gain international experience, learn a new language, meet new friends, and immerse yourself in a different culture. One of the most important aspects of going abroad is to start planning and saving money well before your journey begins. Not sure where to begin? This post will get you started!

Doug Furchner, Program Coordinator of Ryerson’s free financial literacy course, RU Debt Free, explains that all the lessons covered in the course syllabus are applicable well beyond the borders of Canada. The course covers the basics: budgeting, banking, bank accounts and saving, credit basics, paying for school, and life after school. In preparing to study abroad, using simple financial planning tools can make a huge difference. Doug recommends that if possible, take this FREE course before going on exchange.


Doug Furchner (right) and the RU Debt Free Team

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