Kazakhstan vs India: Comparing Accommodation & Daily Expenses for Medical Education

Selecting the most appropriate country for medical education is a vital stage in the life of every Indian student and his or her parents. The academic outcomes, university reputation, admission criteria, and learning outcomes are of paramount importance. Still, the comparative cost of living might become a crucial factor in the final decision.

Kazakhstan has been an attractive destination for Indian students who seek to receive an education outside their home country. Yet, before signing the contract with the university, it is mandatory to calculate the average expenses for accommodation, groceries, traveling, studying materials, personal needs, and other expenses.

There is no sense in estimating the comparative cost of living in Kazakhstan and India in a single figure because it depends heavily on the chosen city, student’s lifestyle, selected type of accommodation and its equipment, and other factors. Instead, comparing the average expenses for everyday use might give a more precise indication of the potential costs.

1. Understanding the Medical Education Cost in Kazakhstan and India

The overall cost of medical education in any country consists of the fees paid to the educational institution and the expenses for living outside the home country. Although the former plays the dominant role in the overall cost, the latter should not be underestimated.

Every academic year in India is usually less expensive since students can live with their parents or pay fewer fees in case a hostel is available. At the same time, a student who moves to another city for medical education will incur additional expenses for transportation, accommodation, meals, and other daily needs.

Meanwhile, an Indian student in Kazakhstan will have to find an appropriate accommodation, pay for groceries, local transportation, mobile phone, and warm clothes. The following expenses should also be taken into account by the students and their families:

• The fees or charges paid to the university of choice;
• The rent or the hostel fees;
• Groceries, food, and water;
• Local transportation and taxi rides;
• Mobile phone and internet subscription;
• Books, notes, and other educational materials;
• Clothing, personal needs, and laundry;
• Medical, traveling, and residence insurance.

Dividing the general list of expenses into several categories will help every Indian student to understand the costs that he or she will incur per month or per year.

Students planning to pursue MBBS in Kazakhstan should compare tuition fees and living expenses before selecting a university and preparing an admission budget.

2. Accommodation Expenses in Kazakhstan and India

Every Indian student who decides to start medical education in Kazakhstan has to locate a suitable and affordable place to stay in accordance with his or her personal preferences and financial capabilities.

Many universities offer suitable and affordable hostels for the students who identify themselves with the listed benefits. Even though some educational institutions provide the best value for money in terms of accommodation, it is always advisable to clarify all the terms and conditions before signing the contract.

An Indian student who decided to get accommodated in the hostel should analyze:

• The costs of electricity, water, and other utilities;
• The provision of cooking areas or catering services;
• An internet connection and laundry services;
• Room occupancy;
• The distance between the hostel and the university;
• The policies regarding visitors and other conditions.

Staying in the hostel implies dividing the overall cost among all the residents and taking advantage of the numerous benefits offered by the staff. Therefore, it becomes possible to reduce the cost of living significantly and avoid additional expenses.

At the same time, some students prefer to rent an apartment or a house to get accustomed to a more independent and responsible lifestyle. Individuals who think about this variant should also consider all the expenses, including the security deposit, water and electricity, internet subscription, access to transportation, and others.

The preferable solution for an Indian student who moves to another city for medical education can vary dramatically and depend on the chosen city, the location of the university, individual preferences, and financial capabilities.

The Indian students who will continue their medical education within the borders of their home country will experience a wide range of costs per year depending on their place of residence. Those who relocate to another city or region will incur additional expenses for the accommodation in the private sector or in the college or university hostel.

As seen from the description above, the general cost of a private apartment in Kazakhstan might be comparable to the hostel fees in India. Therefore, a thorough analysis of the general expenses for the place of residence is mandatory before embarking on the foreign medical education.

3. Food and Grocery Expenses

Another important aspect of the cost of living in another country is represented by the expenditures on food and groceries. An Indian student who moves to Kazakhstan will need some time to adapt to the local market, goods, and prices.

Within the borders of India, a student can enjoy a wide range of options from home-cooked meals to college canteens, local restaurants, cheap street food, messes, and other available services. A similar variety of options can be found in Kazakhstan, but with a wide range of prices per visit.

Preferable methods of cooking and eating depend on the place of residence, financial capabilities, and personal preferences. For example, cooking meals at home is always a less expensive option as compared to eating in restaurants or ordering food. An Indian student can bring or cook familiar spices and analyze the most suitable local substitutes for the herbs and other ingredients that might be available in the region.

A prospective Indian student in Kazakhstan can utilize the following helpful hints to reduce the costs:

• Creating a list of meals for the week;
• Comparing the prices in different grocery stores;
• Buying the goods in the sufficient quantity;
• Cooking meals for more than one person in case of roommates;
• Avoiding buying unnecessary goods;
• Keeping track of monthly expenditures in this category.

Cooking at home is also a good opportunity to adhere to the favorite Indian diet and maintain healthy eating patterns. Besides, it becomes possible to reduce the stress level by being engaged in the cooking process.

Another opportunity is to take advantage of the mess services provided by some universities and colleges. An Indian student who considers this option should pay attention to the overall cost, the frequency and quantity of meals, and the menu. Eating in messes and restaurants can be an occasional change, but it should not affect the general cost per month.

Summing up, the costs of groceries depend on the place of residence, dietary preferences, and personal or family budget.

4. Transportation and Daily Expenses

The overall expenditures on transportation are based on the distance between the place of accommodation and the university. In principle, an Indian student who relocates to Kazakhstan can reduce the costs in this category by choosing the city with the most affordable transportation system or selecting the hostel or apartment that is located within walking distance.

The transport system in Kazakhstan can vary dramatically from one region to another. Therefore, before relocating to another city for medical education, an Indian student should examine the transport infrastructure and its accessibility from the selected place of residence.

Meanwhile, an Indian student who moves to another city in India can reduce the cost of transportation by choosing the more affordable apartment or hostel and taking into account the distance between the two points.

A prospective student should always consider the following aspects before signing the contract for the accommodation:

• The distance between the hostel or apartment and the university;
• The availability of public transportation;
• Monthly costs;
• Accessibility and safety of walking from the place of residence to the university;
• Additional transportation for shopping and other necessities.

Using the advantages of taxi services can be an occasional change or a convenient option in case of the absence of other means of transportation, but it will significantly increase the overall cost of living abroad. Additionally, an Indian student should always consider the seasonal changes and be prepared to spend more money on transportation in case of cold weather.

5. Mobile Phone, Internet, and Educational Materials

An Indian student who moves to Kazakhstan to receive medical education should always consider the importance of the high speed of internet and mobile phone operators. Educational institutions usually offer their students the opportunity to subscribe to any mobile phone operator with special tariffs.

Moreover, the availability of the Internet is of primary importance for an Indian student who moves to another country. Educational materials, lectures, online notes, communication with the local and home community, and other services become possible with the help of the worldwide web.

The cost of mobile phone subscription is always a debatable issue since it depends on the operator, the overall content of the plan, and the customer’s demands. An Indian student should compare the most popular mobile phone operators and the peculiarities of their tariffs before relocating to another country.

Summing up, the mobile phone and Internet subscription is another aspect that deserves special attention when speaking about the cost of living in another country. The peculiarities of this category are represented by the cost of the most popular operators and the availability of the Internet. An Indian student should always take these aspects into account when choosing the place of residence and following the course of studies.

The costs of educational materials vary in a wide range depending on the chosen university, place of residence, academic performance, and personal preferences. Medical education implies a large number of materials that have to be studied by the students, but it does not mean that they should be purchased. An Indian student should take advantage of the university library and the online educational materials before buying the books. Moreover, it is advisable to keep a separate budget for the occasional expenses on the educational materials.

Students can also explore reliable medical education resources, including the World Health Organization (WHO) website, to access health-related information and educational materials.

6. Entertainment, Personal Expenses, and Lifestyle

An Indian student who moves to Kazakhstan or another city in India will incur additional expenses for entertainment, personal needs, and daily expenses. Although the amount of such expenditures might not be substantial, it is always advisable to keep track of them.

The differences in the level of expenses can vary from city to city and depend on the personal or family budget. An Indian student who follows the strict personal budget might incur lower costs as compared to the student who tends to shop more often.

Moreover, the seasonal changes have a considerable impact on the expenses in this category. In Kazakhstan, for example, there is a wide range of warm and cold weather equipment, including winter coats, warm pants, and other closed clothing.

Therefore, an Indian student who moves to Kazakhstan should calculate these expenses and make sure that they match his or her family budget.

A prospective student should also set a separate budget for the entertainment funds, keeping in mind the fact that higher expenditures will affect the overall cost of medical education in another country. It is a good idea to leave a certain amount of money for the unplanned purchases or expenses.

7. Monthly Budget for an Indian Student in Kazakhstan

An Indian student moving to Kazakhstan should take into consideration the wide range of expenses from the accommodation and groceries to the transportation and entertainment. The following example shows the distribution of the costs for a specific case:

According to the example above, the monthly personal expenses account for approximately ₹21,000.

It is important to note that this amount is only an illustrative example and does not represent the actual figures. They vary depending on the chosen city, place of accommodation, and personal preferences. An Indian student moving to Kazakhstan should always follow the latest rates and consult with his or her university prior to submitting the request for admission.

The figure above does not include the cost of tuition; round-trip airfare tickets; visa and residence permit; expenses for the insurance, if applicable; and many other expenses. The general amount should also be distributed to the tuition fees, local transportation, and communication expenses in accordance with the contract with the university.

Before finalizing an admission budget, students should check the university's recognition and applicable medical education requirements through the World Directory of Medical Schools (WDOMS) and the National Medical Commission (NMC) website. Listing in a directory alone should not be treated as a guarantee of eligibility for medical practice in India.

8. What Other Expenses Should Be Taken Into Account?

When analyzing the comparative cost of medical education in Kazakhstan and India, it is mandatory to separate the cost of living from the cost of tuition, visa, residence permit, or other expenses. The overall expenses for the first year might be higher due to the increased number of incidental expenses.

There is a wide range of additional expenses related to medical education in Kazakhstan. Some of them are represented by:

• The registration and admission fees;
• The charges for the academic performance;
• Round-trip airplane tickets;
• The fees for the local transportation;
• Visa and other expenses, if applicable;
• Health, travel, and residence insurance;
• The security deposit;
• Expenses for the winter clothes;
• Currency exchange and many other expenses.

Therefore, it becomes apparent that calculating the cost of education should take into account the expenses for the accommodation, food, and other daily expenses for the first year. Still, many students tend to forget about the additional expenses stipulated by the chosen university.

Moreover, an Indian student should clarify the details and peculiarities of the payment method and the dates when the charges should be paid.

Indian students planning to pursue an overseas medical degree should also check the latest eligibility and examination requirements published by the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) official website before beginning the admission process.

9. How Can Students Reduce Expenditures?

There are several helpful ways to reduce the overall expenditures on the accommodation in Kazakhstan. An Indian student should pay special attention to this aspect since it usually accounts for almost half of the monthly cost. The choice of the hostel or a private apartment and its equipment affects the final sum at the end of the month.

For additional information about studying medicine abroad, university selection, and admission planning, students can visit MBBS in Kazakhstan