Do You Have To Be Rich To Study Abroad? Here's How A S'porean Gen Z Studies In Japan On A Budget
While many young Singaporeans can only dream of studying abroad thanks to sky-high rent and international tuition fees, 24-year-old Sabrina has managed to make it a reality — and keep it affordable.
Currently living in Fukuoka, Sabrina has already completed her degree and is now pursuing her Master’s at Kyushu University, one of Japan’s top national universities.
On the latest episode of Gen Z Crash Course, she shows host Joey Tay what student life in Japan really looks like.
Her mornings begin with a bicycle ride to her part-time job at a local confectionery shop, where she works the morning shift before cycling just seven minutes to school for lessons.
The income from her side job covers both her S$500 monthly rent and her daily living expenses and she doesn't rely on her parents for allowance.
“One of my biggest reasons for studying abroad was wanting to explore a new environment outside Singapore. Japan felt close enough to home," she says.
Tuition at Kyushu University costs about 268,000 yen (S$2,238) per semester, roughly on par with other national universities. Private university fees, she notes, can be double that amount.
Thankfully, Sabrina’s undergraduate and postgraduate studies are fully funded by scholarships.
"Japan is very welcoming to international students, so when you apply for undergraduate programmes, they normally have scholarships from the university itself, or sometimes even from the government," she says.
She secured hers from a private foundation and is not bonded after graduation.
Classes at Kyushu University are conducted in both Japanese and English. First-year international students mostly study in English.
So what happens in Year 2 when lectures switch to Japanese?
“One of the things that's mandatory in most of the Japanese universities is that you have to take Japanese classes. But many professors now use AI translation tools. They teach in Japanese, but the content gets instantly translated to English,” she says.
Sabrina also shows how savvy she is when it comes to sticking to her budget.
Sabrina, who follows halal dietary guidelines, says halal meat isn’t the easiest to find in Fukuoka and costs more.
She now eats less meat and fills her meals with seafood and vegetables instead. A seasoned grocery shopper, Sabrina proudly shares that she spends 768 yen (S$6.40) per grocery run, enough to cook five meals.
She never cooked in Singapore but she’s now “an expert” at preparing healthy, affordable dishes.
On the weekends, Sabrina heads out to explore the country.
She frequently rents cars from Nico Nico Rent-A-Car, one of Japan’s "more affordable" rental services.
The price? Around S$18 for 12 hours — even cheaper when split among friends.
Sabrina admits she gets homesick, but she calls her parents, brother and cousins often.
Japan’s proximity to Singapore also helps.
“I’m very grateful to my family for letting me be,” she says.
Her advice for other Gen Zs who wish to study in Japan too?
"Just do it, and then find every possible way to make your dreams come true."
Photos: Mediacorp
Watch the full episode of Gen Z Crash Course below to find out more about Sabrina's life in Japan.
