Summer School Abroad

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beluga
beluga Posts: 877 Forumite
in Student MoneySaving
Hi,

I was wondering if anyone had any thoughts or experiences of going abroad for a few weeks for summer school?
I'm a MSc student and will (hopefully!) graduate in the autumn. The summer school is specialised to my field of interest and sounds really interesting, but I'd have to pay around £2000 for it (including fees, accommodation, flights, food etc). I've worked through my studies so still have my PG loan, I took it out to pay my fees but haven't had to use it so far. Part of me thinks save the money, the other part thinks it could be useful for my CV and I might have a great time, it could well be the last time I get to do something like this!
Any thoughts?

Thanks :)

Comments

  • agrinnall
    agrinnall Posts: 23,344 Forumite
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    What do your lecturers/tutors/supervisor say about it? Are you doing a dissertation over the summer, and will the summer school help with it or take away time that you would otherwise be spending on it?
  • silvercar
    silvercar Posts: 46,968 Ambassador
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    You will need to be well ahead with your dissertation to be able to take a month off in the Summer.
    I'm a Forum Ambassador on The Coronavirus Boards as well as the housing, mortgages and student money saving boards. I volunteer to help get your forum questions answered and keep the forum running smoothly. Forum Ambassadors are not moderators and don't read every post. If you spot an illegal or inappropriate post then please report it to forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com (it's not part of my role to deal with this). Any views are mine and not the official line of MoneySavingExpert.com.
  • beluga
    beluga Posts: 877 Forumite
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    Thanks for the feedback.
    I've spoken to one of my lecturers who thinks it's a good idea and could be useful for my career. It's only two weeks, and I'm pretty confident I can take two weeks off my dissertation without falling behind.
    You've given me something to think about, I'll discuss with my supervisor and see what she thinks.
  • Voyager2002
    Voyager2002 Posts: 15,289 Forumite
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    That sounds like a lot of money: have you investigated booking your own flights?
  • Yawn
    Yawn Posts: 151 Forumite
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    £2,000 sounds pricy for two weeks. Do you know anyone who has done in the past? Always good to get an inside scoop.
  • beluga
    beluga Posts: 877 Forumite
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    I'll be booking myself, it's £700 course fees, but then I'll need accommodation, flights, food etc so rounded up to £2000. I'd rather overestimate and have change than underestimate and be short. It's actually the cheaper option, the other I was looking at is £1400 just for the fees.
    Flights are around £150, accommodation is £50 p/night - I'd need a hotel as the uni is already fully booked.
  • Voyager2002
    Voyager2002 Posts: 15,289 Forumite
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    Hotel? See if you can find something suitable on Air BnB; appeal for help on Couch-Surfing; even stay at a nearby Youth Hostel...
  • HoneyOnThePavement
    HoneyOnThePavement Posts: 26 Forumite
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    couch surfing is really a good solution!!!
  • beluga
    beluga Posts: 877 Forumite
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    Thanks for the advice everyone. I just wanted to update: I applied, was accepted and spent two weeks in Portugal on an intensive programme. It was a great experience and I'm really glad I went. I'd worked enough during the year to pay for it and I learned so much that it was definitely worth going.
    If anyone else if thinking of doing it or has any questions I'd be happy to share my experiences.
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