My Study Abroad "Girl Math(s)"

For the unitiated, "Girl Math" is when you justify spending money as saving money by jumping through a few mental hoops - such as by spending an extra $15 on Amazon to get free shipping.

So as a lighthearted and slightly helpful financial overview of my exchange experience from UCalgary to Oxford Brookes University, here are some Girl Math examples I thought about during my study abroad experience.

1. If you exchange to a university with tuition more expensive than your home university, you're getting a great deal
   
   
2. Living in student accommodation is $30/night versus a minimum $100/night hotel, and you get a free transit pass, so it's a super discounted vacation!
   
   
3. Visiting a free museum in the UK is worth $30 equivalent in Canada. So visit many!
   
   
   
   
4. Every $400 trip to another country basically saves $1000+ in flights that you'd have to pay to take that trip from Canada
   
   
5. If you get a study abroad scholarship, that's free money that you wouldn't get otherwise 
   
   
6. Eating local food in another country is way cheaper than eating that food in Canada, so the more you eat, the more you save
   
   
   
   
7. A £15 theatre show in the UK would cost minimum $60 in Canada, so you'd better watch some
   
   
   
   
8. If you have an EU passport and are under 25, then you get to save ~$20 per attraction that gives you free entry
   
   
9. Joining a student society gets you free/cheap cultural experiences
   
   
10. Making friends abroad is priceless

While "girl math" is fun, there's some truth to it... but make sure you have an overall budget and don't overdo it ;).

Until next time,

Ana