What is the Cost of Studying Abroad in Tokyo?
This information is for a semester abroad.
The pie chart breaks down some of the expenses of studying abroad (taken from the MIX website for Keio University). This is only a very rough estimate of what some of these things will cost. Transportation expenses really depend on where you are going and how often you are commuting. Books & Supplies: $200 Housing & Meals: $6,000 Personal Expenses: $2,000 Local Transportation: $500 Round-trip airfare (from Hawaii): $1,200 Health Insurance: $400 Visa Expenses: $0 Total: $10,300 The table to the right depicts living expenses as outlined by Keio University (can be found here). You can use this information, the information that is provided by MIX, along with your own personal needs in order to more accurately plan out your finances. The Spring 2016: Expense Report is my personal budget that I created for both Keio and Waseda when I applied to Freeman. These are approximations based off of information from the MIX website, the individual schools' websites, and my own needs. I noticed that the Keio dorms are a lot farther away from the Mita campus (at least 40 minutes away) so the transportation expense would be a little higher than Waseda, where the dorms are in walking distance from campus. Obviously, housing will be a huge expense. You should really consider applying for scholarships to cover this. The Gilman Scholarship and Freeman Scholarship offer monies that can take care of this whole category. I strongly encourage you to keep your grades up in college and apply for scholarships, it helps so so so much. Through MIX, you will be paying your usual tuition and fees amount (whether it's in-state, out of state, or WUE, it stays the same). Studying abroad can be costly, but not impossible if you plan things out and make use of financial aid and scholarships! Try not to let cost stop you from taking advantage of this opportunity! |
Personal PlansAfter talking to a family friend who lives in Tokyo, I've concluded that $1,000 a month is enough to live very comfortably (this excludes housing expenses). The $1,000 will be used for meals and other living expenses.
Plane tickets, school supplies, and airfare are obviously one-time expenses while meals, housing, and transportation are recurring. I suggest breaking up your expenses by the month so you have an idea of how you should budget your money. Overestimate your expenses so you don't have to worry. Make sure you have extra spending money for fun, shopping, and traveling/site-seeing! |
Keio University Dorm Prices
Keio Dorm prices range from ¥51,000 per month (Hiyoshi International House), which is the most affordable to ¥78,000 per month (Tsunashima Student Dormitory), which is the most expensive. Price includes utilities (electricity, gas, water) and free internet access. If your stay is about 6 months, total dorm expenses could range from approximately $3000 - $5000.
Visit my Housing Options page to easily compare all of the dorm options available at Keio.
Also, be sure to visit Keio's Housing for International Students page for more detailed information.
Visit my Housing Options page to easily compare all of the dorm options available at Keio.
Also, be sure to visit Keio's Housing for International Students page for more detailed information.