‘Actually, it has always been my dream to study overseas, but I’m not comfortable if it involves taking a loan.’
STUDYING overseas offers global exposure and access to world-class education, but it often comes with a hefty price tag. For many families, the dream can quickly turn into a major financial decision.
That’s the dilemma one Malaysian student now faces after her father insisted on taking a RM100,000 loan to fund her degree in Australia.
In a post on Threads, the student shared that her father suggested she could look for scholarships or take up part-time work in Australia if the loan proved insufficient.
However, she was uncomfortable with the idea, particularly with the possibility of having to shoulder the financial burden later.
“I told him I don’t want to because I’ll be the one who has to bear the responsibility,” she wrote. “But he said just take the loan first and figure it out by working there or finding opportunities.
“Actually, it has always been my dream to study overseas, but I’m not comfortable if it involves taking a loan.
“For context, my family is T20 but now closer to M40. So is it worth it?”
The post quickly drew responses from Malaysian netizens, many of whom urged caution.
One user pointed out that RM100,000 would likely fall short, noting that tuition fees alone in Australia can exceed RM300,000 for a three-year degree—excluding accommodation and living expenses.
“It’s not easy to get scholarships once you’re already studying there. Even top students struggle to secure them,” the user said.
Others highlighted the mental and financial strain of managing studies while worrying about debt.
“You don’t want to be stressing about money while studying. Consider a twinning programme or study locally first,” another commenter advised.
Some also shared their own experiences, suggesting a more strategic route.
“Do your degree locally. If you perform well, you can pursue your Master’s or PhD overseas on a full scholarship,” one user said.
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