Navigating Sydney’s Cost of Living as an International Student: Tips from Scholarship Recipients

Two international students at the University of Sydney, Siska and Umar, are sharing their tips on how to navigate Sydney’s high cost of living on a student budget. Both recipients of the LPDP Scholarship, these students have found creative ways to manage their expenses while pursuing their PhDs.

Siska, a PhD candidate in the Faculty of Science, emphasises the importance of setting clear financial goals. She advises prioritising expenses that directly impact the student experience, such as affordable accommodation and a healthy lifestyle. Umar, a disability activist studying Media and Communications, suggests creating a spending table to track expenses and avoid unnecessary costs.

Budgeting is key for both students, who carefully allocate their stipends towards essential expenses like rent and food. Siska meticulously tracks her weekly expenses and categorises them into basic needs, social, and leisure activities. Umar uses a spreadsheet to control expenses and plans ahead for social events to avoid overspending.

The University of Sydney also offers free resources to students, such as the FoodHub where students can get free groceries. Additionally, the university provides grants and funding for academic activities, helping students like Siska and Umar save money.

International students in Australia are allowed to work part-time, up to 48 hours per fortnight, to help cover living expenses. Leveraging job platforms and university career services can aid students in finding flexible work opportunities that align with their studies.

Both Siska and Umar enjoy the free and inexpensive entertainment options in Sydney, such as coastal walks and picnics in the park. They also take advantage of community resources, like Facebook groups for sharing surplus food items, to stretch their budgets further.

Overall, these students demonstrate that with careful planning, budgeting, and taking advantage of free resources, international students can successfully navigate Sydney’s high cost of living while pursuing their academic goals.