Sriwijaya University

Palembang is the capital of South Sumatra with a population of around 2 million people, some of whom are students coming from other cities in Indonesia and abroad. Known as the city of “pempek”, a food made from sago and fish, Palembang is also a culinary center for other snacks, especially those based on fish, which are produced abundantly from fresh waters in the South Sumatra region as well as from the sea around the island of Sumatra.

Palembang is also known as one of the cities with a low cost of living, although it is not included in the list of cities with the lowest living costs in Indonesia. The low living cost in the city is supported by the abundance of eateries offering ready-made meals at comparatively cheap prices. According to data monitored by the Indonesian Central Statistics Agency, the average monthly cost of living in Palembang is around Rp 1.15 million per capita.

In Palembang, there are several universities with a relatively large number of students, such as Sriwijaya University, Raden Fatah State Islamic University, Bina Darma University, Global Mandiri University, and Muhammadiyah University of Palembang. The relatively low cost of living is one of the attractions for residents of other cities to study in Palembang. The cost of living for students coming from outside the city averages around Rp 2,000,000 (€90) per month, with details of Rp 500,000 (€22.5) for accommodation, Rp 1,000,000 (€45)  for food and beverages, Rp 300,000 (€13) for transportation, and Rp 200,000 (€9) for other necessities. The cost of food in Palembang largely depends on each person's financial situation, but there are plenty of places where one can enjoy a complete meal (rice, vegetables, and side dishes) for just Rp 10,000. In addition to pempek, which is a typical Palembang snack, the city also offers a variety of local dishes that are budget-friendly.

Palembang is a major city in Indonesia that has one of the most complete transportation systems compared to other cities. Public transportation options include city buses, buses, and Light Rail Transit (LRT), all of which operate under relatively good conditions and are relatively affordable. For students, the most common mode of transportation is motorcycles, which with a fuel cost of around Rp20,000 is usually enough for their mobility for a week. This accessibility is one of the reasons why Palembang attracts many migrants who come to the city to work or pursue higher education.

Indralaya, the city where the main campus of Sriwijaya University is located, is about 40 km from Palembang and is connected by both a toll road and a regular road. Life in Indralaya is not much different from life in Palembang, and the cost of living, especially for students, is also relatively similar.  Smooth transportation between Palembang and Indralaya leads some Sriwijaya University students to choose to live in Palembang, even though they come from out of town and have to rent a place there. For students at the Indralaya Campus who choose to live in Palembang, the cost of living is certainly higher because of the additional transportation expenses to and from the campus.