The “Oh No” Moment Before Take-off
You’ve got the visa. The WhatsApp group says “Freshers 2025 ✈️🌍.” Your Spotify is loaded with “moving abroad” playlists. But then… the first time you Google “1 INR to USD,” your jaw drops.
Welcome to the foreign exchange fee trap.
As a broke student from India, I knew I needed a student travel card that wouldn’t destroy my budget with hidden charges. That’s when a senior DM’d me:
“Bro, get the Niyo travel card before you fly. It’s the best zero forex markup card for international students. Thank me later.”
Meet Niyo: Your New Travel BFF
Think of the Niyo travel card as your financial sidekick for studying abroad. You can spend across 180+ countries at zero forex markup, cool, isn’t it?
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Zero Forex Markup Card – Spend in 130+ currencies without those “conversion fee” surprises.
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100% Digital – Load INR via UPI/IMPS, lock/unlock your card, and track every single purchase from your phone.
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Super smooth Onboarding – Delivered in 24 Hours, No joining fees, No annual fees, No delivery fees, Too good to be true :p
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Banking Backed, RBI Regulated – Safe, secure, and 100% legit.
Translation: It’s the best international travel card for students who want to save more for things that actually matter like late-night pizza or cheap flights across Europe.
Before You Land: Prep Like a Pro (and Save Like One)
When you’re ticking off your study abroad essentials list, your finances need a spot at the top.
Here’s how I set myself up:
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Opened my Niyo account in minutes (from my bed)
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Loaded INR and tested it with a small online payment just to be sure
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Linked it to my budgeting app so I wouldn’t blow my rent on bubble tea
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Kept my physical card ready for airport swipes and emergency snack runs and I’d get the best student deals at UniEssential
The First Swipe Abroad
Picture this: I land in Toronto, bleary-eyed and jet-lagged.
I grab a coffee. Swipe my Niyo travel card.
No markup fee. No scary SMS saying I just paid ₹500 extra for currency conversion. Just… the coffee price.
That’s when I knew this was the cheapest way to spend money abroad as an Indian student.
Freshers’ Week, But Cheaper
Whether it’s society sign-ups, IKEA hauls, or grabbing groceries, my Niyo travel card handled it all.
The app made it easy to track spending, which meant I didn’t burn through my budget by Week 2.
Talk about solid travel money tips for Indian students in UK/US/Canada.
Why This Matters for Students
Let’s be real:
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You will spend money. A lot of it.
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Every hidden fee means one less trip or night out.
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Saving even 3–5% on every single transaction adds up fast.
With Niyo:
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More savings = More adventures.
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No exchange rate anxiety.
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No awkward “Hey Dad, can you send me some extra?” calls.
Honestly, if you’re wondering how to save on foreign transactions or how to avoid foreign exchange fees while studying abroad, this is the hack.
The Bottom Line
Moving abroad is expensive enough. Why give extra money to banks just for spending in another currency?
If you’re joining the student migration this year, here’s my advice:
Get the Niyo travel card. Save money. Spend smarter. Live bigger.
