Living Guide for MBBS Abroad Students
Accommodation, monthly expenses, food, weather, and everyday student life abroad
Moving to a foreign country for MBBS is a life-changing experience that goes beyond academics. For most Indian students, it is their first time living independently — managing their own meals, budgeting monthly expenses, adapting to a different climate, and navigating a new culture. Understanding the practical aspects of daily life abroad is crucial for making a smooth transition and focusing on your medical studies.
The cost of living for MBBS students abroad is significantly lower than what most families expect. Countries like Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Georgia offer monthly living expenses of ₹8,000 to ₹20,000 including hostel accommodation, food, transportation, and personal expenses. Even Russia, which is often perceived as expensive, has affordable student living costs in university cities like Kazan, Volgograd, and Kursk, where ₹15,000-₹25,000 per month covers all basic needs.
One of the biggest concerns for Indian families is food. The reality is that Indian groceries — rice, dal, spices, atta, and cooking oil — are available in most university cities across Russia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, and the Philippines. University hostels provide shared kitchens where groups of Indian students cook meals together, making homestyle Indian food a daily reality. Many cities also have Indian restaurants catering to the large student population.
This guide provides a detailed breakdown of monthly living costs, accommodation options, food availability, weather preparation, and practical everyday tips for Indian MBBS students in each major destination country.
Monthly Living Cost Breakdown by Country
These estimates are based on feedback from current Indian MBBS students and represent typical monthly expenses for students living in university hostels and cooking some meals independently.
🇷🇺 Russia
Russia offers the most diverse clinical training but requires investment in warm clothing. Major university cities have well-stocked Indian grocery stores, active Indian student associations, and affordable public transport with student metro passes.
🇬🇪 Georgia
Georgia offers the most comfortable living experience with mild winters, English-friendly locals, and a growing Indian student community. Tbilisi has multiple Indian restaurants and grocery stores. The moderate climate means lower clothing expenses.
🇰🇿 Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan offers modern cities with affordable living costs. Almaty and Astana have Indian restaurants and Asian grocery stores. The multicultural society means students from South Asia feel welcomed. Public transport is efficient and student-friendly.
🇰🇬 Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyzstan is the most affordable MBBS abroad destination. Bishkek has a growing Indian student population and basic Indian grocery availability. Students often buy spices and specialty items in bulk during visits to Almaty or from online delivery services.
Essential Living Tips for MBBS Students Abroad
Practical advice from experienced Indian MBBS students who have navigated daily life in these countries successfully.
Accommodation
University hostels are the safest and most affordable option. Book well in advance as rooms fill up fast. Most hostels provide shared kitchens, laundry machines, study rooms, and WiFi. If choosing off-campus housing, get university approval and ensure it is in a safe neighbourhood near public transport.
Food & Cooking
Indian groceries (rice, dal, spices, atta) are available in major cities. Students often form cooking groups of 4-5 and take turns preparing meals, which is both economical and social. Budget ₹3,000-₹6,000 per month if cooking at home. Eating out at local restaurants costs ₹100-₹300 per meal. Indian restaurants are present in most university cities.
Winter Clothing
For Russia and Kazakhstan, invest in quality thermal inner wear (2-3 sets), one heavy-duty winter jacket (buy locally for better quality and fit), insulated waterproof boots, wool gloves, and a warm hat. Budget ₹15,000-₹20,000 for winter clothing. Do not buy winter gear in India — local stores offer better cold-weather clothing at competitive prices.
Phone & Internet
Get a local SIM card immediately upon arrival (₹500-₹1,000 per month for unlimited data and calls). Use WhatsApp for family calls. University hostels provide free WiFi. Consider a VPN service for accessing Indian streaming platforms and banking apps that may be geo-restricted.
Transportation
Use student metro and bus passes for affordable daily commuting (₹500-₹1,500 per month). Uber, Yandex Taxi (Russia), and local ride-hailing apps are available. Avoid buying personal vehicles. Most university cities have efficient public transport connecting hostels, hospitals, and shopping areas.
Banking & Money
Open a local bank account within the first month for receiving family transfers via Wise, Western Union, or bank wire. Carry a multi-currency forex card (Niyo, BookMyForex) and $200-$300 USD in cash for the initial days. ATMs are widely available. Keep a separate emergency fund of $500 accessible at all times.
Your First Month Abroad: A Settling-In Timeline
The first few weeks set the tone for the entire year. Tackling setup tasks in a sensible order avoids the panic of trying to do everything at once.
Week 1 — Arrival essentials
Complete university registration and any local arrival/immigration formalities first, as these have deadlines. Pick up a local SIM card so family can reach you, locate your hostel room, and buy basic bedding and a few kitchen items. Find the nearest grocery store and pharmacy. Note the route between your hostel, the university building, and the teaching hospital.
Week 2 — Banking & budgeting
Open a local bank account so family transfers (via Wise or bank wire) arrive cleanly, and keep your forex card as a backup. Start tracking every expense — this is how you turn the rough monthly ranges in this guide into a realistic personal budget. Stock up on Indian staples in bulk with roommates to bring down per-meal food costs.
Week 3 — Routine & community
Join the Indian student association and your batch groups. Form or join a cooking group of four to five students and agree on a rota. Enrol in the free or low-cost local-language classes most universities offer — even basic phrases make shopping, transport, and early hospital visits much easier.
Week 4 — Climate & long-term setup
If you are in a cold-climate country, buy your heavy winter jacket and insulated boots locally now rather than later, when stocks thin out. Set up a student transport pass, confirm your VPN works for Indian banking and streaming, and build a small emergency reserve you keep separate from monthly spending.
Common Living Mistakes to Avoid
Most first-year difficulties are avoidable. These are the patterns that repeatedly catch new students off guard.
Buying winter gear in India
Indian winter clothing is rarely rated for -15°C or colder. Local stores in cold-climate cities sell better-insulated jackets and boots at competitive prices and a proper fit. Carry layers for the journey, then buy your serious winter kit after you arrive.
Carrying too much cash
Large amounts of cash are a theft and loss risk. Use a multi-currency forex card and a local bank account for the bulk of your money, and keep only a small amount of local-currency or USD cash for the first few days and emergencies.
Living on restaurant food early on
Eating out for every meal is one of the fastest ways to blow your budget and miss home food. Set up a cooking group in the first two weeks; it is cheaper, healthier, and a built-in social circle.
Skipping local-language basics
The degree is in English, but daily life — markets, transport, pharmacies, and especially patient interaction during clinical rotations — runs on the local language. Free university classes pay off quickly; ignoring them makes everyday tasks harder than they need to be.
Ignoring first-month one-time costs
Setup spending (SIM, bedding, kitchen basics, winter gear, registration fees) makes month one far more expensive than later months. Budget a buffer so an ordinary first month does not feel like a financial emergency.
Frequently Asked Questions: Living Abroad as an MBBS Student
What is the monthly living cost for Indian MBBS students abroad?
Monthly living costs vary by country: Russia (₹15,000-₹25,000), Georgia (₹12,000-₹20,000), Kazakhstan (₹10,000-₹18,000), Kyrgyzstan (₹8,000-₹15,000). These include hostel accommodation, food, transport, phone, and basic personal expenses. Students who cook their own meals can save 30-40% on food costs.
Is Indian food available for MBBS students in Russia?
Yes, Indian food is widely available in major Russian university cities. Cities like Moscow, Kazan, and Volgograd have Indian restaurants and grocery stores selling spices, dal, rice, and other staples. Most university hostels have shared kitchens where Indian students form cooking groups and prepare meals together, which is both economical and social.
What type of accommodation do MBBS abroad students get?
Most universities provide hostel accommodation within the campus or nearby. Rooms are typically shared (2-4 students per room) with attached or shared bathrooms. Hostels include common kitchens, laundry facilities, study rooms, and WiFi. Some universities offer single-occupancy rooms at a higher cost. Off-campus apartments are also available but hostels are recommended for safety and convenience.
How cold does it get in Russia for Indian students?
Temperatures in Russia vary significantly by city. Moscow and central Russia can reach -15°C to -25°C in winter (December-February). Siberian cities can go below -30°C. Southern cities like Krasnodar and Volgograd have milder winters (-5°C to -10°C). Students should invest in thermal inner wear, a heavy winter jacket, insulated boots, and gloves. Most buildings and transport are centrally heated.
Do MBBS abroad students need to learn the local language?
While the MBBS program is taught in English, learning basic local language is highly recommended for daily life — shopping at local markets, using public transport, communicating with patients during clinical rotations, and handling emergencies. Most universities offer free or low-cost local language courses. Students who learn the local language have a significantly better clinical training experience.
How do Indian students manage money while studying abroad?
Students typically open a local bank account for receiving money from family via international wire transfer or services like Wise. Carrying a forex card (Niyo, BookMyForex) is recommended for the initial period. ATMs are widely available. Monthly expenses can be managed through a combination of local bank account, forex card, and small amounts of USD/EUR cash for emergencies.
What is student life like for Indian MBBS students abroad?
Student life abroad is a mix of academics and cultural experiences. Indian students form tight-knit communities, celebrate festivals together (Diwali, Holi, Republic Day), organize cricket matches, and cook meals in shared kitchens. Universities host cultural events where international students showcase their traditions. Weekends involve exploring the city, visiting historical sites, and socializing with classmates from various countries.
Can parents visit their children studying MBBS abroad?
Yes, parents can visit on a tourist or visitor visa. Russia, Georgia, and Kazakhstan offer relatively easy visa processes for Indian passport holders. Georgia offers visa-free entry for Indian nationals for up to 1 year. Some universities organize parent visits and campus tours. Parents can stay in nearby hotels or guest houses and visit the campus, hostel, and hospital facilities.
How much money should I carry for the first month abroad?
Plan for higher-than-normal spending in the first month because of one-time setup costs: a local SIM, bedding and kitchen basics, winter clothing if applicable, registration or document fees, and groceries before you settle into a cooking routine. A reasonable buffer is roughly two to three times your expected monthly budget, kept partly on a forex card and partly as cash in the local currency or USD. Keep a separate emergency reserve you do not touch for routine spends.
Is it cheaper to cook or to eat out as an MBBS student abroad?
Cooking is almost always cheaper. Eating out at local cafeterias is affordable for occasional meals, but daily restaurant food adds up quickly and Indian-style meals are not always available nearby. Most students who share a hostel kitchen and cook in groups of four to five spend significantly less on food than those who eat out, while also getting familiar, homestyle meals. Imported Indian grocery items typically cost two to three times Indian prices, so buying staples in bulk and splitting them across roommates helps.
What are common money or settling-in mistakes students make abroad?
Common mistakes include buying heavy winter clothing in India instead of buying better-fitting, warmer gear locally; carrying too much cash instead of using a forex card and a local account; not budgeting for one-time first-month costs; relying only on restaurant food early on; and skipping free local-language classes that make daily errands, transport, and clinical rotations far easier. Tracking your spending for the first two months helps you build a realistic monthly budget.
Questions About Student Life Abroad?
Our counselors and alumni network can give you first-hand insights about daily life at your chosen university.