Presents…
S O T K BAC
L O CHO 1 ISSUE
Tan Yang En President of the 8th VinE Committee, Studying Economics at LSE
Introducing… LeonarD Royce Yong Having graduated from VJ in 2009, Leonard is now reading Economics at University College of London (UCL) and will be beginning his third year this September. Approachable and funny, feel free to talk to him about climbing too! Which city are you living in? I live in Central London, which makes it really convenient for me to go to campus (UCL). What were you most concerned with about this city (e.g. safety, hygiene, food, being homesick, making friends)? My main concern when first coming over to London was the cost of living, safety, and then followed by the lack of local food (where to find my Char Kway Teow?!?!). But the great thing about London is that it is much more an International City than a British City. So almost any kind of cuisine can be found here. On top of that, the general culture of the people here is a lot more open. Opportunities to meet people of different origins and interest are abundant.
What do you like most about your city? There is never a boring moment for me in London, there is always something to do. Cost of living remains a concern but can be managed with some savvy discount-‐hunting and frugal student budgeting. What do you dislike most about your city? But perhaps the most annoying thing about London are the tube strikes (transport workers go on strike). This is most inconvenient especially during the exam period. Is there a must-do or must-see or must-eat (being Singaporeans)? Must-‐do – visit Brick Lane on a Sunday. Must see – Les Miserables. Must-‐eat – a proper Full English Breakfast.
How did you approach your parents regarding the financing of your tertiary education? Were you concerned about the costs of an overseas education? What were the pros and cons that went through your parents’ and your mind? Thus far, do you think the financial cost of an overseas education is worth it? What makes it worth/ not worth it? What are the intangible benefits, in your opinion, that you may have gained from your years abroad thus far? My parents and I agreed for a long time that an overseas education would broaden my horizons in ways that a local university will not be able to do so. The issue of cost was always a concern. Considering that the British pound is almost twice as strong as the Singapore dollar, things are naturally much more expensive here than in Singapore. This concern was compounded by the fact that London property prices and rents have recently been skyrocketing; living here was not going to be cheap. In the end, we agreed that I should only come here to pursue a degree if the university, course and city was indeed worth the premium. I would say that the experience thus far has assured me greatly that the cost spent to pursue a BSc. Economics at UCL is worth every penny paid. It’s not just about the education proper per se, it is also about the opportunity to network and establish a career overseas (if an overseas working experience is on your mind). And these are the things which are immeasurably valuable and unquantifiable.
Are you living comfortably based on your current monthly allowance either from parents/ scholarship provider? (Please indicate how much per month if you are comfortable with it) How do you manage your finances? What do you spend most and save on most? Any tips for budgeting? £600/mth (excluding rent) This amount is sufficient for me to live comfortably and eat out occasionally. Cooking your own meals is really the most economical way to live. But the occasional sushi platter is within my means. I check my account balance online regularly to keep track of my spending. I can still save up for travelling as well.
Introducing…
Lim Cheng Yee Reading Politics, Philosophy and Economics at the University of Warwick, Cheng Yee graduated from VJ in the class of 2012 and will be starting her second year this fall. She’s also a recipient of the Public Service Commission (PSC) scholarship. Which city are you living in? I’m currently studying in University of Warwick but living in Coventry. It is a common misconception is that University of Warwick is in Warwick, but it’s actually in Coventry. What were you most concerned with about this city (e.g. safety, hygiene, food, being homesick, making friends)? Nothing much, Coventry is relatively safer than most cities but also less busy. The variety of food and shopping is not as extensive as bigger cities. But if you’re really itching for some shopping, you can always drop by Birmingham Bullring Shopping Centre, one of the busiest malls in UK. What do you like most about your city? University of Warwick is actually a bus ride away from Coventry city centre, so we are away from the hustle and bustle of a city. I really appreciate the fact that we have a campus university and there’s a lot of greenery on campus! Is there a must-do or must-see or must-eat (being Singaporeans)? A good place to travel to from Coventry is Stratford upon Avon. For those of you interested in English Literature, Stratford is Shakespeare’s birthplace so you can visit the houses he lived in and also catch a Shakespeare play at the theatre there!
How did you approach your parents regarding the financing of your tertiary education? Were you concerned about the costs of an overseas education? What were the pros and cons that went through your parents’ and your mind? Thus far, do you think the financial cost of an overseas education is worth it? What makes it worth/ not worth it? What are the intangible benefits, in your opinion, that you may have gained from your years abroad thus far? Definitely, cost was a concern. My parents and I googled the cost of living in different cities, and universities often include cost of living in their respective cities in their prospectus. That will be a good way for you to gauge your expenses in your time abroad. However, studying overseas has been an eye-‐opening experience. I’ve only been abroad for a year and I’ve been exposed to countless new experiences that I wouldn’t have done back home. There’s lots to do and lots to learn abroad, especially learning to grow out of your comfort zone as a minority and living independently.
Are you living comfortably based on your current monthly allowance either from parents/ scholarship provider? (Please indicate how much per month if you are comfortable with it) How do you manage your finances? What do you spend most and save on most? Any tips for budgeting? I’m living comfortably with my current monthly allowance from my scholarship provider, the allowance is more than sufficient to cover basic necessities and some travelling! I definitely spend most on travelling and exploring Europe so it will be important to save more during school terms as you usually end up overbudget during the holidays. That’s the time you take long holidays exploring Europe with new and old friends! I save most from cooking my own dinners either by myself or at our friend’s kitchens!
Introducing…
Le Qin Having graduated in 2011, Le Qin is at Cambridge University on a Loke Cheng Kim Scholarship. She will be majoring in zoology in the coming year.
Which city are you living in? Cambridge! What were you most concerned with about this city (e.g. safety, hygiene, food, being homesick, making friends)? I was most concerned about fitting in… since we stay in colleges which are smaller communities of the student population, and I was worried I couldn’t find a group of friends I could identify with. It turned out alright in the end though, since our college has quite a large international student community and I got to know my other British friends who were taking the same subject as me. (Note: Colleges are where we stay and have our tutorials (called supervisions in Cambridge) whereas we have our lectures in department.)
What do you like most about your city? I love the atmosphere in Cambridge, where historical buildings and modern shops stand side by side, and cobblestone paths and narrow, haphazard alleys give off this quaint, scholarly feel. The people here are generally very helpful and friendly, which makes it an even more pleasant place to live in. It is also probably one of the safest towns in the UK for its population size. What do you dislike most about your city? If I really had to dislike something, it would be that there are no Singaporean restaurants here. But it’s alright, London’s just a one hour train ride away! Is there a must-do or must-see or must-eat (being Singaporeans)? Must-‐do: Punting, which involves using a long pole to push off the river bed in order to propel a flat bottomed boat along the river Cam. Highly inefficient mode of transport but you get to see the scenic College Backs. Must-‐see: King’s College. It’s a very iconic view. Must-‐eat: Nah, not much in Cambridge.
How did you approach your parents regarding the financing of your tertiary education? I didn’t really. I just knew I had to get a scholarship if I wanted to go overseas. Were you concerned about the costs of an overseas education? What were the pros and cons that went through your parents’ and your mind? Yes, definitely! It costs quite a lot, and would have been out of reach for me if I hadn’t managed to get a scholarship. Luckily for me, I did! There weren’t many pros and cons that we considered because the decision was quite clear-‐cut for me. Thus far, do you think the financial cost of an overseas education is worth it? What makes it worth/ not worth it? I do think that studying overseas offers a wider range of experiences and novelty that studying at home cannot provide, such as having formal dinners with the Fellows (aka teachers), having smaller class sizes (2-‐3 students to a teacher, making the experience very personalised) and exotic CCAs such horse riding and rowing. Studying overseas also makes sense if you are interested in an area that Singapore universities do not provide for, such as archaeology or ecology (which I am currently studying). It is also a good way to get internships with organisations /companies overseas if you’d like to work overseas after your degree. That being said, I feel the main purpose of university is a transition to living independently, and learning to cope with stress (such as exams, planning events) and responsibilities (eating well and taking care of your finances), which can be done anywhere as long as you really want to! What are the intangible benefits, in your opinion, that you may have gained from your years abroad thus far? Making friends from overseas does give you a wider social circle, and being away from home has led me to become more independent and adventurous in what I do (such as travelling halfway across the world alone to volunteer with a whale research institute J)! Various Modes to Finance an Overseas Education: private scholarship, government scholarship, self-‐funded.
Are you living comfortably based on your current monthly allowance either from parents/ scholarship provider? (Please indicate how much per month if you are comfortable with it) Yep I am! How do you manage your finances? What do you spend most and save on most? I allocate £100 per week and keep track of my finances so that I do not exceed it as much as possible. Groceries usually cost about £30 per week when shopping from a low-‐end supermarket and I try to limit my spending, although supermarket food can get quite tempting sometimes and then I bust my budget. I try not to go shopping that often, and reserve it for when I really need an item or am in need of retail therapy in exam term. Any tips for budgeting? Pack your own lunches, and eat out as little as possible. It does take more time in the morning, and requires decent skills at cooking, but the savings will be worth it!
Introducing… Zachary Tan
Which city are you living in? London What were you most concerned with about this city (e.g. safety, hygiene, food, being homesick, making friends)? Traditional concerns related to independence aside, I was pretty worried about changes to my lifestyle and social circles. I couldn't just round up a bunch of pals for a game of football over the weekend, I had to actively step out of my comfort zone, to make new friends, take part in novel activities etc. All of which seemed rather daunting.
What do you like most about your city? The people. Londoners are a well-‐dressed and well-‐spoken lot, with impeccable manners to boot. The rest of the international crowd adds a distinct flavour to the cultural mix in London, something that I greatly appreciate. makes it an even more pleasant place to live in. It is also probably one of the safest towns in the UK for its population size. What do you dislike most about your city? Finding affordable and convenient supper haunts can prove difficult (unless you live near Chinatown). Is there a must-do or must-see or must-eat (being Singaporeans)? Nope.
How did you approach your parents regarding the financing of your tertiary education? With a government scholarship. Thus far, do you think the financial cost of an overseas education is worth it? What makes it worth/ not worth it? The experience of studying overseas is incredibly unique and rewarding. The education you receive may not necessarily be far superior as compared to local universities. However, I do believe that at the end of it all, you would have gained far more than your peers. Furthermore, it is an opportunity that only comes once. If you have the financial means to do so, I would strongly advise you to go for it. What do you think is the greatest pull factor for choosing an overseas education? The chance to live out your wildest dreams in an exotic environment. Skiing down the Alps? Done. 6 day music festival? Go for it. Watching world famous musicals and plays? Who doesn’t. Awesome outdoor adventures? Take your pick. No parents? Hell yea. Plus, you get to post pretty pictures on Instagram. Are you living comfortably based on your current monthly allowance (either from parents/scholarship provider)? (Please indicate how much per month if you are comfortable with it) My scholarship provides me with a salary, as well as allowance, with the latter being pegged to the rates dictated by PSC (1300 pounds). Even though London is impossibly expensive as compared to Singapore, the allowance provided is generally sufficient for financially prudent individuals. Nevertheless, having a little excess cash on the side for travelling and entertainment purposes would be good.
How do you manage your finances? What do you spend most and save on most? A large chunk, around 3/5’s of my allowance goes to rent, that leaves me with around 500 pounds. 300 pounds goes to groceries and transport, and the remaining 200 is either budgeted for future holidays or spent on keeping myself happy. My school happens to sit in one of the most expensive parts of London, which explains my higher rent.
Any tips for budgeting? Learn how to cook. Not only is cooking therapeutic, it is budget friendly, and incredibly useful in situations which require you to whip up adhoc meals for friends or family. Plus, the ladies love it, and vice versa. Be resourceful. Going the extra mile to overcome the obstacles in your path will help save you money and dignity. As opposed to you making a scripted phone call to your loving parents to ask for an advance on next month’s allowance. Lastly, be realistic. Eager as you are to exercise your newfound freedoms, to experience, to see, and to taste everything and everywhere, it is important for you to temper such lofty expectations with a healthy dose of realism. Part of being independent involves learning how to say no to yourself, to make conscious sacrifices and postpone self-‐gratification when required. If certain things are beyond your budget, saving up or forgoing it will save you plenty in the long run. Connect with us on Facebook by searching for the following groups: The 8th VinE Committee would like to thank everyone who has contributed to this newsletter. Feel free to email us at: victoriansineurope@gmail.com Upcoming Events: VinE Freshers’ Meet-‐Up BBQ 24th August @ VJC BBQ Pit, 1800 VinE Day Trip (some time in October or November)
Victorians in Europe https://www.facebook.com/groups/Victoria ns.in.Europe/
VinE Freshers 2014 https://www.facebook.com/groups/678769 942174825/
VinE Freshers 2015 https://www.facebook.com/groups/138759 0154825145/
Vine Freshers 2016 https://www.facebook.com/groups/654825 631226549/