{"id":1002,"date":"2026-03-20T14:42:51","date_gmt":"2026-03-20T14:42:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.kcl.ac.uk\/moneymentors\/?p=1002"},"modified":"2026-03-20T14:42:51","modified_gmt":"2026-03-20T14:42:51","slug":"changing-seasons-and-currencies-what-my-year-abroad-taught-me-about-money","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.kcl.ac.uk\/moneymentors\/2026\/03\/20\/changing-seasons-and-currencies-what-my-year-abroad-taught-me-about-money\/","title":{"rendered":"Changing Seasons and Currencies: What my Year \u00a0Abroad Taught Me About Money"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><em>Planting Pounds, Growing Dreams: Financial Tips for Studying Abroad<\/em><\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.kcl.ac.uk\/moneymentors\/files\/2026\/03\/image.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1004\" style=\"width:617px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.kcl.ac.uk\/moneymentors\/files\/2026\/03\/image.jpeg 800w, https:\/\/blogs.kcl.ac.uk\/moneymentors\/files\/2026\/03\/image-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.kcl.ac.uk\/moneymentors\/files\/2026\/03\/image-768x576.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>&#8216;Wominjeka&#8217; sign, which means &#8216;Welcome&#8217;<\/em> <em>in the language of the Kulin nations <\/em><br>Photo taken by Hope Jeffcoat.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Australia &#8211; home to kangaroos, koalas, and endless sunshine! I dreamed of beautiful blue-sea beaches and white-sand deserts, new foods, hiking trails, and friends! My dream country!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Then reality struck: money existed, and my dreams were joined with spreadsheets and savings targets. Could I get funding and scholarships? Would I work there?&nbsp; How much would I need to save? And would my financial position be a barrier to fitting in?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Studying abroad is an <em>insanely awesome<\/em> opportunity, but I had plenty financial questions and stresses that I wished I\u2019d had more clarity on. That\u2019s why I\u2019m writing this blog series- so you can learn from my experiences, before, during, and after my year abroad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This three-part series follows the seasons of my journey:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><em>Spring<\/em>: Pre-departure planning and prep<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>Summer:<\/em> Stories and experiences from Down Under<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>Autumn<\/em>: Post-year reflections and re-adjusting to London<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So, without further ado, let\u2019s get into spring!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Spring: <em>The Needs vs Wants Framework<\/em><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Every adventure starts with a season of preparation.Spring is the season for fresh starts- flowers begin to bloom, and birds begin to sing- ready for the colour, joy, and excitement of summer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Planning my year abroad felt a lot like that. I knew there was adventure (and a<em> lot<\/em> of sun) ahead, but there was a whole lot of groundwork to do before any of that could happen. Flights, visas, accommodation, insurance \u2013 what did I need to book, and in what order?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">They were exciting times, but also extremely overwhelming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Treating my spring preparation not as one mammoth to-do list, but as an opportunity to prioritise really helped. Breaking it down into what I needed and what I wanted- and when- enabled my spring blossom with far less anxiety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>\ud83c\udf31The Roots: Understanding \u2018Needs vs. Wants\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">All good spring blooms need strong roots, and for me, that meant grounding my year-abroad plans in a needs vs. wants framework.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A <em>need<\/em> is something essential for your wellbeing, safety, or ability to live and study- things like accommodation and groceries. These are non-negotiables.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A want, however, adds enjoyment, and comfort \u2013 for me, that was house plants and meals out. These things weren\u2019t needed, but I knew they would make my Year Abroad more memorable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Of course it\u2019s not always clear-cut. Take the gym, for example. Was it <em>a<\/em> need because it supports my mental health, or a <em>want<\/em> because I could technically exercise for free?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In London, I was lucky to have free access to a gym and worked out daily. In Melbourne, I held off on paying for a membership because it felt like an unnecessary expense. But after a few weeks of low motivation and mood, I joined \u2013 and it completely changed my experience. My well-being improved, I tried group classes, and I felt grounded again, helping me feel like <em>me<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This taught me that the goal isn\u2019t to eliminate every want, but to recognise which ones truly support your wellbeing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It\u2019s super important not to compare yourself to others, either. My <em>need<\/em> is the gym; yours might be nights out. None of these is right or wrong- just different. There\u2019s no rulebook- just your own sense of balance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>\ud83e\udd14My<\/strong> <strong>5 Tips for Sturdy Roots<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><em>Make a visual \u2018needs vs. wants\u2019 list:<\/em> getting it out on paper clears your mind<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>Talk to other students:<\/em> listen to their tips and mistakes<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>Leave a little treat fund:<\/em> for fun and flexibility<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>Don\u2019t fear change:<\/em> Your priorities will change along the way<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>Use the <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kcl.ac.uk\/student-life\/money-housing\/money-mentors\"><em>King&#8217;s Student Money Mentors<\/em><\/a><em> :<\/em> They\u2019re here to help!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>\ud83c\udf38Going Back to My Roots<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Though there were plenty of moments where I felt overwhelmed by the planning, saving, and getting everything right, the Money Mentors helped ground me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Money Mentors are there to provide you with budgeting tips and tricks in person and online, signpost you to other professional services, and make sure you become as money-savvy as possible<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This blog has discussed the importance of preparation and explored the needs vs. wants framework. In the next spring blog, I\u2019ll share personal stories and actionable tips to <em>growing your own financial gardens<\/em> through developing a positive growth mindset. Stay tuned. &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-right wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Hope Jeffcoat <\/strong><br><strong>King\u2019s Student Money Mentor<\/strong>&nbsp;<br><strong>Part of Money &amp; Housing Advice<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>The King\u2019s Student Money Mentors blog shares our students\u2019&nbsp;personal experiences&nbsp;and thoughts on money-related topics. Any reference, opinions or recommendations on a particular company\/brand are only the views of the student(s) who wrote the blog post.\u202fKing\u2019s College London, the Money &amp; Housing Advice&nbsp;service&nbsp;and the Money Mentor project do not share the views in the blogs nor endorse any of the companies mentioned.\u202fReaders should conduct their own research before using any companies mentioned in our blog posts.<\/em>\u202f&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Planting Pounds, Growing Dreams: Financial Tips for Studying Abroad Australia &#8211; home to kangaroos, koalas, and endless sunshine! I dreamed of beautiful blue-sea beaches and white-sand deserts, new foods, hiking trails, and friends! My dream country! Then reality struck: money existed, and my dreams were joined with spreadsheets and savings targets. Could I get funding &hellip; <\/p>\n<p class=\"link-more\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.kcl.ac.uk\/moneymentors\/2026\/03\/20\/changing-seasons-and-currencies-what-my-year-abroad-taught-me-about-money\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> &#8220;Changing Seasons and Currencies: What my Year \u00a0Abroad Taught Me About Money&#8221;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1196,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[65],"class_list":["post-1002","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorised","tag-study-abroad","entry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.kcl.ac.uk\/moneymentors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1002","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.kcl.ac.uk\/moneymentors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.kcl.ac.uk\/moneymentors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.kcl.ac.uk\/moneymentors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1196"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.kcl.ac.uk\/moneymentors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1002"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.kcl.ac.uk\/moneymentors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1002\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1006,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.kcl.ac.uk\/moneymentors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1002\/revisions\/1006"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.kcl.ac.uk\/moneymentors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1002"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.kcl.ac.uk\/moneymentors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1002"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.kcl.ac.uk\/moneymentors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1002"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}