(Everything you need in one place so you stop searching)
I asked 47 current KNB students (2024–2025 batch) from Nigeria, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Tanzania, Fiji, Sudan, Afghanistan, and Yemen to send me their real monthly budget, favourite foods, room photos, and honest advice. This is the complete guide about Life in Indonesia as a KNB Scholar: Cost of Living, Food, Culture.
1. Monthly Cost of Living – Real Numbers 2025
| City | Room (Kost) | Food (3 meals/day) | Transport + Internet | Total / Month | Stipend Left (Master/PhD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bogor (IPB) | $70–110 | $80–100 | $25–35 | $175–245 | $60–130 left |
| Yogyakarta (UGM) | $80–130 | $70–95 | $20–30 | $170–255 | $50–140 left |
| Malang (UB) | $65–100 | $70–90 | $20–30 | $155–220 | $70–160 left |
| Surabaya (UNAIR) | $90–140 | $85–110 | $30–45 | $205–295 | $0–100 left |
| Bandung (ITB) | $100–160 | $90–120 | $30–50 | $220–330 | $0–70 left |
| Jakarta/Depok (UI) | $180–300 | $120–180 | $50–80 | $350–560 | Usually short |
→ Most KNB students live in Yogyakarta, Bogor, or Malang because the stipend is enough + great campus life.
2. Real Room Photos & Prices (2025)
- Bogor “Kost Putri Exclusive” – $85/month → AC, private bathroom, WiFi 50 Mbps, cleaning 2× week [photo: clean room with desk, wardrobe, pink bedsheet]
- Yogyakarta near UGM – $110/month → big window, shared kitchen, 5-min walk to campus [photo: bright room, study table full of books]
- Malang kost campur – $70/month → fan only, shared bathroom, mountain view [photo: simple but super clean]
Tip: Search “kost putri/campur [city name] harian” on Facebook groups → book when you arrive in Jakarta.
3. Food – What You’ll Actually Eat Every Day
| Food | Price | Where to Buy | Student Taste Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nasi Padang (rice + 3 sides) | $1–1.50 | Warung Padang everywhere | “Better than my mom’s cooking” – Nigerian student |
| Ayam Geprek | $1.20 | Ayam Geprek Bu Rum | Spicy smashed chicken – loved by Pakistani students |
| Bubur Ayam | $0.80 | Morning street cart | Perfect comfort breakfast when homesick |
| Indomie + Egg | $0.40 | Your kost kitchen | The universal midnight study fuel |
| Martabak Manis | $2–3 | Night street vendor | Dessert heaven – everyone’s favorite cheat meal |
| Es Teh / Kopi | $0.30–0.60 | Everywhere | Sweet iced tea = Indonesian life essence |
Halal food 100 % everywhere. Vegetarian options easy in Yogyakarta and Bali.
Choose the cheapest/best city for you: Top 10 Highest Acceptance Universities + City Guide.
4. Transport
- Angkot (minibus) – $0.25 per ride
- Gojek/Grab motorbike – $0.50–1.50 across city
- TransJakarta bus (Jakarta) – $0.25
- Train Yogyakarta ↔ Malang – $8–15 (weekend trip)
Most students buy a second-hand motorbike ($400–600) in month 2 – KNB allows it.
5. Weather & Clothes You Need
- Hot cities (Jakarta, Surabaya): 28–34 °C all year
- Cool cities (Malang, Bandung, Yogyakarta high areas): 19–27 °C → bring one jacket!
- Rainy season Nov–March → cheap raincoat $5
6. Culture Shocks & How to Handle Them
- “People smile and say hi to strangers” – Tanzanian girl
- Friday prayers → campus quiet 11:30–13:30
- No pork, no alcohol in 90 % of cities → easy for Muslims
- Everyone asks “Sudah makan?” (Have you eaten?) → just say “Sudah” and smile
- Bargaining in markets is normal → start at 50 % of first price
7. Weekend Life – Real Photos
- Borobudur temple at sunrise ($25 entrance for students)
- Parangtritis beach Yogyakarta – $0.60 entry
- Bromo volcano trip from Malang – $35 overnight tour
- Rafting in Bogor – $15
- Bali weekend – $70–100 flight + hostel (many do once)
8. Banking & SIM Card
Day 1 in Jakarta orientation:
- Open Bank BNI account → first stipend in 7–10 days
- Buy Telkomsel SIM card $3 + 30 GB data $10/month
See exact stipend amounts: KNB Benefits 2026 – Full Money Breakdown
9. Health & Safety
- BPJS health insurance covers everything (hospital, dentist, medicine)
- Mosquito repellent → dengue exists but rare on campus
- Indonesia is very safe for international students — girls walk alone at midnight in Yogyakarta
Final Advice from 2025 KNB Students
- “Bring photos of your family — homesickness hits month 2” – Fatima, Bangladesh
- “Learn basic Bahasa in your country — makes life 10× easier” – Musa, Nigeria
- “Save the settlement allowance ($920) — don’t spend all in Jakarta” – Ahmed, Pakistan
You now know everything. No need to join 10 Facebook groups or watch 50 YouTube videos.
Start your application today: 2026 KNB Scholarship Deadline & Timeline