Cat Food for Tuition: How One Chinese Student Survives a Swiss PhD on a Knife-Edge Budget
An anonymous Chinese student in Switzerland, who calls himself 'The Clever Scrooge,' says that extreme thrift makes his study abroad possible. He explains a startling calculation: a three-kilogram bag of cat food costs 3.75 CHF and contains 32% protein, which he says translates to 256 units of protein per franc—more protein per franc than any other staple he buys. He warns against drinking milk with it and suggests masking its odor with peanuts. Beyond food, he donates blood to exchange for more meals and treats: in Switzerland donors are paid with drinks and chocolate, plus sandwiches, soup, chips, and marmalade, helping stretch his budget.
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The Anonymous Chinese Student: The Clever Scrooge in Switzerland
Born in China, he completed medical studies there and worked in Shanghai, where he saved about 300,000 yuan (roughly 3.5 million rubles). Those savings funded his enrollment in a PhD program at a leading Swiss research institute, famous for its extremely high cost of living. On social media, he shares his life details, including his self-appointed nickname 'The Clever Scrooge' and biographical details of his journey.
Living Costs in Switzerland: 1,000–1,500 CHF a Month and an Economy on the Edge
In Switzerland, a PhD student typically needs between 1,000 and 1,500 CHF per month to cover living costs. He notes that many self-funded students drop out by the third year because they cannot simultaneously pay for housing and courses. Foreign students cannot legally work, which leaves little room for error and drives a daily practice of extreme thrift.
Cat-Kibble Protein and Blood Donations: The Harsh Tools of Survival
To compensate for limited funds, he relies on cat food for protein. A three-kilogram bag costs 3.75 CHF and contains 32% protein, which he says yields 256 units of protein per franc—cheaper than any other food he could buy in Switzerland. He advises not to wash it down with milk and to mask its odor with peanuts. To stretch his budget further, he donates blood; in Switzerland donors are generously rewarded with drinks and chocolate, plus sandwiches, soup, chips, and marmalade—essentially a buffet.
Future Plans: Harvard Internship and a Life of Healthy Frugality in Boston
Despite the hardship, he remains committed to his frugal lifestyle. After completing his PhD, he plans to pursue an internship at Harvard and then stay in Boston, continuing to live by the principles of 'healthy thrift' as he builds his future.
