Program Costs & Expenses

International Program and Exchanges Fee (IPE Fee)
Each student who enrolls in a UW international program is required to pay a $200 fee to the International Programs and Exchanges Office (IPE). This is a separate charge from the program fee. The IPE office will register you in a special Fall Quarter class, assess your program fees to your UW Student Account, advise you on insurance options, make payments on your behalf to host country providers of goods and services, assist you in the adjustment and disbursal of your financial aid, coordinate a pre-departure orientation, record your credits and grades, provide emergency contacts for your family and you, and generally serve as your agent in dealing with the UW administration.

Other Expenses
There are other expenses associated with study abroad which vary considerably from program to program, and from person to person. It is very important to budget for these expenses ahead of time, and to be prepared for them before and during your program.

Typical Expenses: Some examples of typical additional expenses may include, but are not limited to: travel to and from airports, entry or exit taxes, passports & visas, additional (personal) travel, food expenses that are not covered, medical expenses before and during a program, communications (telephone and internet), books or course materials, gifts and souveneirs, and ATM/money exchange fees.

How much do I bring? The amount will be different for every person on every program. Some important factors to take into consideration in estimating these other expenses include: your own spending habits, the duration of your program, the location and local cost of living, and any special needs you may have. The Lonely Planet's website details typical costs for common expenses in each country: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/worldguide. The best way to determine how much extra money you should bring is to know your own habits and needs, your plans, and to discuss expenses with your program director.