
What I Spent In a Week as an International Student
Overview
- Planning on studying abroad in Australia?
- Here's the reality of how much it costs.
Ever wondered how international students juggle studies, social life, and a tight budget in a bustling city like Sydney? Well, buckle up, because I'm about to spill the beans on my weekly expenses. It's a rollercoaster ride of ramen noodles, pub nights, and tuition fees that'll make your eyes widen and your jaw drop.
Full disclosure, I had a particularly social week when I recorded all of this. I promise I normally eat more at home!
Rent: $295
Even though I’m sharing a place with two other people, rent still costs a fair bit living in Sydney compared to my hometown. I pay a little extra for the convenience of being close to university and my friends compared to the median rent in Sydney (750 a week, which would cost me 250 each).
Pubs, Bars and Restaurants: $130
Going out in Sydney isn’t cheap, and between buying a meal and a drink after my social futsal game, seeing a friend (and getting frozen yoghurt after) and a beverage or two at a concert I went to, I made a solid dent in my personal spending fund.
Groceries: $45
As a broke student, I've mastered the art of stretching my food budget. It's a delicate balance between hearty home-cooked meals and the occasional indulgent feast.
I eat vegetarian at home to save extra money – there's no surprise as to where that saved money ends up going, but hey, that’s being young in Sydney. Another trick I use is to build any of my meals around whatever’s on special. If there’s a pumpkin on sale, I’m having roast veggies. If there’s some bok choy, or some broccoli, maybe I’m doing a stir-fry.
Public Transport: $42
This includes all of my trips to and from work, as well as catching the train on weekends. I’m pretty lucky to live close to a train station, so I don’t really have to drive too much to get around.
Tuition: $1610 per week
I’m studying a Bachelor of Education at a Sydney University, and for just one session I need to pay $19,330 up front (which I’ve split for budgeting purposes for every week). Australian citizens and some other nationals get access to HECS-HELP, which is where you get a loan from the government that you don’t have to pay off until you meet a certain threshold.
So, there you have it, a glimpse into the financial reality of an international student. It's a rollercoaster ride, but it's one that I wouldn't trade for the world.
Want to learn more about budgeting for travel and living abroad? Check out our brand new Academy, Finlit Ready For Take-Off.
Disclaimer: Costs are indicative of March 2025 and are subject to change.