Living off a $2000 scholarship

[rxzlmn]

Hi,

I'm a biochemistry student (soon graduate) from Germany, and I'm planning to do my PhD in Singapore, at A*Star/Biopolis. They offer a scholarship (called SINGA) for international students which is $2000 (later to be increased to $2500) per month, with no benefits or financial assistance regarding housing.
I have lived in Singapore before for 6 months (in 2010), so I have a somewhat of an idea what to expect in terms of expenses for food/drinks/transportation etc. - but not for housing. I lived in a student hostel back then which was almost $1000 a month for a shady small room.
I realize rent will be my biggest financial burden, but I don't know with what to calculate. It's ok for me to go some distance by public transport to Biopolis (Holland V), and I don't need much space or comfort. Is it possible to rent some small private appartment with that budget?
PhD studies are going to take ~4 years, I don't feel like living in a room in a shared appartment without a private bathroom for such a long time, considering I got a gf and want some privacy.
So any idea of how/what to expect and look for in terms of housing? And will 2000 dollars be enough for a living? To be honest it seems quite little to me. They make a scheme on their website of how this should be enough and put 300-600 for rent.

[BillyB]

If you hunt around enough you should be able to find a room in a shared condo for $500. Live off mee noodles, bread and water, and you'll be fine!!

But seriously, can you find a part time job on the visa you'll be getting to give yourself a little extra cash each month?

It's doable if you can control your budget, but can you stick it for 4 years? Also, if you have a GF will she be bringing income in too?

I'll play devils advocate here - is the trade-off and costs of your PhD, when compared against what you could earn by going into employment now, going to pay dividends in the long-term?

[beppi]

No apartment or private space of whatever size at your budget!
You'll have to rent a room and share the rest.
Rooms with bath (called Master Bedroom) are available and cost just a bit more than without. You'll easily find one below S$1000/month.
I started Singapore on the predecessor of your scholarship in 1996. It was S$1200 and 1400 then, and I managed (but tightly).

[rxzlmn]

thanks for your answers.

But seriously, can you find a part time job on the visa you'll be getting to give yourself a little extra cash each month?

unfortunately, their terms of contract don't allow that.

It's doable if you can control your budget, but can you stick it for 4 years? Also, if you have a GF will she be bringing income in too?

my gf has her own income, but thing is, I don't wanna plan on relying on her. I should be able to afford an at least ok place to live on my own with a university degree.

I'll play devils advocate here - is the trade-off and costs of your PhD, when compared against what you could earn by going into employment now, going to pay dividends in the long-term?

PhD is a must in my field. without it you're a better technical assistant with no chance of a real career at all.

Rooms with bath (called Master Bedroom) are available and cost just a bit more than without. You'll easily find one below S$1000/month.

If I look around for a while, how much do you think I'd have to spend for a master bedroom? And which areas/districts would I probably have to look at (with holland village/buona vista still somewhat accessible)?

[Mad Scientist]

Read this

http://forum.singaporeexpats.com/ftopic ... nd+village

[Girl_Next_Door]

My language teacher works in A Star too and is doing his PHD. You may not be able to get a legitimate part time job, but you might want to consider working free lance, as a language teacher to earn some extra pocket money.

[vbelle]

1000 would be enough to get a master bedroom. Its half your income though...
your scholarship amount doesnt allow you to rent your own place...
if your gf is coming to SG as well, you can share the rent and it will be ok...
depends on your lifestyle...but you should have enough money to survive...perhaps no savings

[BillyB]

thanks for your answers.

But seriously, can you find a part time job on the visa you'll be getting to give yourself a little extra cash each month?

unfortunately, their terms of contract don't allow that.

It's doable if you can control your budget, but can you stick it for 4 years? Also, if you have a GF will she be bringing income in too?

my gf has her own income, but thing is, I don't wanna plan on relying on her. I should be able to afford an at least ok place to live on my own with a university degree.

I'll play devils advocate here - is the trade-off and costs of your PhD, when compared against what you could earn by going into employment now, going to pay dividends in the long-term?

PhD is a must in my field. without it you're a better technical assistant with no chance of a real career at all.

Rooms with bath (called Master Bedroom) are available and cost just a bit more than without. You'll easily find one below S$1000/month.

If I look around for a while, how much do you think I'd have to spend for a master bedroom? And which areas/districts would I probably have to look at (with holland village/buona vista still somewhat accessible)?

OK, I get what you are saying with the part-time work and PhD.

Sharing with your GF would be the easiest thing to do to split the costs but if thats not feasible and you need your own place then try searching ..com.sg. You should find something on there in the $500-750 range.

The whole thing is doable on your budget and if you have your heart set on doing it, and it will give you good career advancement - go for it. I applaud you for being disciplined and forward thinking enough to see the longer-term benefits. And wish you all the best!

[harisadu]

Hi rxzlmn

Sent PM to you

Please check

Hi,

I'm a biochemistry student (soon graduate) from Germany, and I'm planning to do my PhD in Singapore, at A*Star/Biopolis. They offer a scholarship (called SINGA) for international students which is $2000 (later to be increased to $2500) per month, with no benefits or financial assistance regarding housing.
I have lived in Singapore before for 6 months (in 2010), so I have a somewhat of an idea what to expect in terms of expenses for food/drinks/transportation etc. - but not for housing. I lived in a student hostel back then which was almost $1000 a month for a shady small room.
I realize rent will be my biggest financial burden, but I don't know with what to calculate. It's ok for me to go some distance by public transport to Biopolis (Holland V), and I don't need much space or comfort. Is it possible to rent some small private appartment with that budget?
PhD studies are going to take ~4 years, I don't feel like living in a room in a shared appartment without a private bathroom for such a long time, considering I got a gf and want some privacy.
So any idea of how/what to expect and look for in terms of housing? And will 2000 dollars be enough for a living? To be honest it seems quite little to me. They make a scheme on their website of how this should be enough and put 300-600 for rent.

[hae]

No apartment or private space of whatever size at your budget!
You'll have to rent a room and share the rest.
Rooms with bath (called Master Bedroom) are available and cost just a bit more than without. You'll easily find one below S$1000/month.
I started Singapore on the predecessor of your scholarship in 1996. It was S$1200 and 1400 then, and I managed (but tightly).

Hi beppi, was wondering if you might know where graduate students in singapore usually stay - do most tend to stay in university-owned accommodation, or find a place to rent elsewhere? Thanks in advance.

[beppi]

It's quite a while since I worked in academia - 14 years to be precise, but I don't expect things to have changed that much. In my time, a lucky few lived at hostels on campus (never enough places available, as undergrads have priority) and the rest in sublet rooms or shared flats, often several of them per room to save money.
Even then, Singapore can pick the best brains of Asia, because the situation (and pay) at applicant's home universities is worse.
(Basically all researchers here are foreign - I have seen exactly one Singaporean grad student in my time, and he was scholar of Singapore's well-funded Defense Science Organisation DSO.)