Study Abroad in Mumbai, India
Mumbai is India’s most eclectic and cosmopolitan city. With its beaches, buzzing cultural scene, and as the center of the Bollywood industry, Mumbai is often portrayed as one of India’s most fun cities. Yet, why not combine both work and play? With its unique cultures and beautiful scenery, Mumbai has been gaining popularity as a study abroad destination as students search for authentic experiences that are unavailable back home.
Does studying abroad sound fabulous but expensive? While it is true, studying abroad can mean added costs, there are still a variety of ways to offset the extra expenses. If you're not up for opening a lemonade stand, I suggest checking out the following scholarships.
- API offers a variety of scholarships for those participating in their programs - including a few great options in Mumbai and India!
- Fulbright scholarships
- Gilman scholarships
- More Study Abroad Grants and Scholarships
Affordability
The currency used in Mumbai is the rupee, and Visa and Master cards are widely accepted in the city shops. Many shopping establishments also accept American Express, Diners and a host of other cards. However, smaller shops or family-run businesses may not accept these cards, so be sure to keep some cash on you.
Because Mumbai is a major city in India, it is relatively more expensive to live in Mumbai as compared to the rest of India. However, cost of living in Mumbai is still low by Western standards. For example, it is 67% cheaper than in New York City and 41% cheaper than Austin, Texas. An inexpensive restaurant meal will cost 200 rupees and a monthly transportation pass costs only 500 rupees. Naturally, the cheapest (and arguably, the best) way to live is like the locals – buy food from local produce markets and food stands, don’t splurge money on excessive home and “Americanized” luxuries, and you will be able to have a cheap and authentic study abroad experience!
Because studying abroad can be expensive, you may want to consider applying for a scholarship to offset your costs. General scholarship and financial aid providers include the Fulbright scholarships, and Gilman scholarships. Additionally, remember to check with your university to see if they provide any scholarships for exchange or international students! This way, you can have a peace of mind while enjoying the perks of studying abroad.
