Quick Chat
Call Us
18002099100
Table of contents
Your bags are packed. You’re ready to go. This is the start of a new phase in your life. You’re moving to a new country as a student. You’ll meet new people, experience a new culture and dive into your course.
It’s a big change. So, you’ve prepared for it. You’ve packed the clothes you need. Stocked up on all the food items you’ll need from India. You’ve arranged for the foreign exchange you need. You know where you’re staying. Your documents are ready. You’ve sorted out all the long-term expenses – college fees, housing or dormitory fees, your route to college, and other necessary things.
However, there’s one thing you may have neglected – the first week of Studying Abroad.
The first week is incredibly important. Your expenses will start the minute you land – airport meals when in transit, cab rides, groceries – these are all expenses and responsibilities you might have overlooked in your overall budget.
Don’t worry though! Using these Thomas Cook products, you can plan out your budget for the first week of studying abroad.
Forex Card
The airport meal
Depending on whether you have a layover, you might need to eat at least one meal at the airport, or at least pick up some water. Unfortunately, food and drink are extremely expensive at airports. This can be a bit of a shock because you’ll need to start dipping into your budget just to buy a bottle of water.
How can your Forex card help?
If you’re planning to eat at the airport, make sure to include that in your budget. All you have to do is add more money to your Forex card (try not to use the cash you have in hand).
Suggested read: What is a Forex Card?
The first cab ride
Once you’ve landed, you’ll need to figure out transport. Unless you have someone picking you up at the airport, you might need to take a cab. Every country will have its own form of public transport, but because you’ll be carrying heavy luggage, your first ride will be in a cab.
How can your Forex card help?
Cab fares can be very expensive in countries like the US, UK and Europe. You can go online and find out public cab rates in the country and accordingly estimate the amount. Many countries allow you to swipe your prepaid forex card to pay for the cab. This way, you can retain the cash you’re carrying with you.
Groceries
Food is vital part of your experience abroad. It’s a new experience – eating different kinds of food, adjusting to a new level of spice and buying foreign food brands. It can also be an expensive experience.
How can your Forex card help?
The first week of studying abroad will mostly be about figuring out cash currency notes and the prices of groceries and food. You can swipe your card at a restaurant, but the real beauty of the card comes to play during grocery shopping.
It’s difficult to make an initial budget when you don’t know the general prices of grocery items. Unlike cash, forex cards are limitless. If you do exceed your given budget for shopping, you can always reload your card in order to buy more. You won’t need to rush to an ATM for more cash.
Student Travel Insurance
Luggage
When you step off the plane and into a new country, there is the thrilling feeling of having arrived. Of starting a new phase in your life. This feeling can vanish the instant your luggage is lost. Tracking your lost luggage can be an incredibly frustrating and sometimes hopeless prospect.
How can travel insurance help?
Travel insurance will ensure that you will be covered in case your luggage is lost after the flight, in the cab ride from the airport, or stolen from the luggage carousel. Depending on the policy you’ve chosen, you can claim insurance for the luggage you’ve lost.
Looking after your luggage is already a stressful process. Travel insurance will give you the added bit of comfort, during a worst-case-scenario.
Must read: Thomas Cook Travel Insurance Online
Medicals
A new country is exciting, but coping with a new climate or food, can be a bit of a shock to the system. In case of any medical issues when you land, it’s good to have student travel insurance, just in case you may need to visit a doctor or clinic. This extends beyond your first week and will essentially keep you covered during your time abroad.
This will give your budget room to grow, as you won’t be spending valuable foreign currency on expensive medical fees.
For more information, Check Out Student Travel Insurance.
Table of contents
Our Forex Offerings
Alps Mountains: Most Iconic Peaks in Europe You Must Visit
Korean Food Culture: A Guide to the Most Iconic Korean Dishes
Philippines tourist spots – Top 10 Must-Visit Destinations
Recommended Articles for you
Top Honeymoon Destinations for Summer (2026)
0 0 Summer is not the ideal time for travel in India, given the warm weather conditions. However, if you are newly married and need to go on your honeymoon, you will need a nice destination. Thankfully, there are some […]
Hill stations in North India to visit in Summer 2026
0 0 The best hill stations in India to visit in summer 2026 include North Indian favourites like Manali, Shimla, Nainital, and Kashmir, along with South Indian escapes such as Munnar, Ooty, Coorg, and Kodaikanal. Together, these destinations offer cool […]
1 USD to INR from 1947 to 2026
18 3 Today, if we convert 1 USD to INR the Indian currency’s value is lower than USD. INR’s value ranges around 83.57 to 1 USD. Many travellers travelling abroad exchange INR to USD and then later get it converted […]
Alps Mountains: Most Iconic Peaks in Europe You Must Visit
0 0 There are landscapes you visit and landscapes that you will never forget. The Alps mountains are unquestionably in the second group. This stunning region, which stretches across Europe like a natural spine, is more than just a travel […]
Korean Food Culture: A Guide to the Most Iconic Korean Dishes
0 0 South Korea’s food scene is something you don’t just eat, you experience. Rooted in centuries-old farming traditions, Korean food culture is built around balance, colour, and seasonality. A typical meal, called a bapsang, brings together rice, soup, and […]
Everything You Need to Know About Golden Week Japan Before You Travel
0 0 If you are planning a trip to Japan, timing can define your entire experience, and nothing proves this more than Golden Week Japan 2026. Scheduled from April 29 to May 6, 2026, this period brings the country to […]
The Ultimate Guide to Phu Quoc Tourist Attractions and Stunning White Sand Beaches
0 0 Phu Quoc attractions, which are tucked away in the Gulf of Thailand, unfold like a well-kept secret where unadulterated luxury blends with raw nature. This Vietnamese island is more than simply palm-lined beaches; it is a dynamic environment […]
Philippines tourist spots – Top 10 Must-Visit Destinations
0 0 If you’re looking for more than just a beach vacation, the Philippines is the place to go. With more than 7,600 islands, it provides a variety of picture-perfect beaches, striking scenery, and an immediately hospitable culture. The variety […]
Netherlands tulip fields – A Complete Guide for the Best Views During Tulip Season
0 0 There are places you visit, and then there are places that stay etched in your senses forever. The Netherlands tulip fields belong firmly in the latter. Every spring, this small European nation transforms into a living canvas, where […]
Top Manila Attractions That Blend Heritage Streets with Relaxed Beach Vibes
0 0 Manila is one of those places that initially seems crowded, but as you calm down, things begin to make sense. It combines history, culture, and daily life in a way that feels authentic rather than contrived, earning it […]
Visiting Edinburgh Castle: Everything You Need to Know
0 0 There are cities you visit, and then there are cities that unfold themselves to you slowly. Edinburgh belongs firmly to the latter. Constructed amidst historic volcanic ridges and medieval alleyways, the city seems to be a living story […]
Explore the Safest Countries in the World for Stress Free Travel
0 0 In 2026, travelling is about feeling safe, appreciated, and truly at peace wherever you go, not merely crossing places off a list. Safety is becoming the most crucial consideration when making travel decisions as the world’s travel industry […]
Inside Pattaya Museum Art in Paradise and Its Most Creative Attractions
0 0 If you think museums are places to “look but don’t touch,” you will think again after visiting Art in Paradise Pattaya. This isn’t like going to a normal museum—you can step inside the art, become a part of […]
Jodhpur Things to Do that You Cannot Miss! – A Complete Itinerary of Things to do in Jodhpur
0 0 Historically, the capital of the Kingdom of Marwar, the blue city is highly spoken off on the internet. The Jodhpur tourist places photos populate every traveller’s gram and travelogues. However, for the ones who have not visited this […]
10 Places To Visit In Rajasthan For A Surreal Experience
0 0 A colourful melange of opulence and royalty best exemplifies Rajasthan tourism with its grand forts, desert safaris, fairytale palaces, and vibrant festivals all around. Delicious food, camels and hot-air balloon rides, captivating folk dances, exquisite handicrafts, wildlife expeditions, […]
Lowest Currencies in the World with Exchange Rates in INR
5 0 As you plan your travels or delve into the economics of different countries, understanding currency values becomes crucial. The phrase ‘currencies with the lowest exchange rates in the world’ often piques curiosity, both for economic insights and the […]
Enjoy exotic camel safari in Rajasthan
0 0 Get prepared for the great desert trips with the exotic Camel Safari in Rajasthan and have an unparallel experience. Deserts have an alluring charm of their own that attracts millions of tourists across the globe every year. Camel […]
North East – The land of undulating scenic beauty
0 0 A serene land tucked up in the lap of mighty Himalayas, the North East regions in India is bestowed with picturesque locale and inexorable culture. The vast stretch of land located on the foothills of Himalayas, is […]
13 Most Beautiful Travel Destinations in North East India to Visit
0 0 This is the time to give wings to your fascination for wildlife. All you require is to just step into the land of North East India one that inspires the all the wildlife freaks across the world. So, […]