Studying abroad has many benefits that include:
- Enhancing your awareness of other people and cultures
- Increasing the quality of your academic experience
- Advancing your career by obtaining global knowledge
- Enhancing personal growth by learning more about others
Unfortunately, nowhere on that list will you find making loads of money or getting rich. Being a poor college student is a right of passage for many, but it can be even more stressful if you’re a student in the U.S. and you want to help your family back home.
Here are a few ways you can support your family in e.g. Guatemala with the little cash you do make in your spare time.
Transfer Money
When it comes to helping family back home, there really isn’t anything better than cash. It allows your parents, brothers, and sisters to pay for the things they need when they need them.
Just make sure you choose a transfer service that offers great exchange rates, small fees, and delivers your money on-time.
Pay for Everyday Necessities
You may not be able to send cash, especially if your parents insist on sending you what little they have! Instead, you have to take a different approach. Shipping everyday necessities to your parents might be a better option.
You can mail necessities to them, or you can order items and have them delivered to their doorstep. You can send everything from body wash to tissues, depending on the needs of your family.
Send Care Packages
Sending necessities is a great way to make sure your parents, brothers, and sisters are taken care of when you’re away from home, but they’ll probably appreciate a care package even more.
With a little practice and forethought, a care package doesn’t have to cost a lot of money, but it can have a huge impact.
Consider packing candies and treats that they can’t find back home. Games, music, and clothing are all great things to send that your family is sure to love.
Tell Them About Your Everyday Adventures
It isn’t all about money. Your family cares about how you’re doing, even if you don’t have a lot of money to send. That’s why it’s important to include them in your everyday life.
Stay in touch through text messages or set up a weekly Skype session. A phone call is always a great way to connect, as is posting or emailing pictures of your surroundings.
If all that high-tech stuff is too much for your parents, even a plain old letter will do. It’s even better if you can send a postcard or pictures right to their doorstep!
Your family is doing everything they can to support you while you’re away from home, and you should continue to support them while you’re away. With these tips, no matter how much money you have, you can take care of your family when you no longer live under the same roof.
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