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Before you decide on your next academic step,
here’s what you need to know.
Stay local
or go abroad?
EDUCATION
You’ve finally done it! Graduation cap tossed,
family beaming with pride, and the ever
present chocolate bouquet as a keepsake.
Your graduation photo is making rounds on
social media. But when the celebrations quiet
down and reality sets in, you find yourself
thinking–what’s next?
For many Bruneian students especially those
who have just completed their A-Levels,
the natural step forward is furthering
their studies. And here comes the age-old
question: Stay in Brunei or take that big leap
overseas?
“BERKARIH” AND BOOKS
Let’s start with the local route. Studying in
Brunei means you get to stay in your comfort
zone. You still get to eat your favourite
nasi
katok
whenever the craving hits, drive your
own car to campus, and even enjoy those
impromptu family BBQs on the weekends.
It’s a life that doesn’t demand too much
adjustment. Tuition fees are significantly
more affordable, and for many, there’s also
the added bonus of government scholarships
or subsidies that lighten the financial load.
Staying also means you get to build a
solid network within Brunei’s professional
landscape. No matter which institution you
decide on, you’re likely to attend seminars,
placements and internships that connect
directly to key ministries, companies and
local industries. If you already have an idea
of building your career here, that head start
can be invaluable.
It’s not all smooth sailing though. Some
courses or specialisations may not be
available locally or may not have the depth
or research opportunities you’re looking for.
And while Brunei offers quality education,
the environment can sometimes feel… too
familiar. If you’ve been in the same circle,
the same classrooms and the same routines
since O-Levels, you might start to crave
something else. Something different.
Something with snow, perhaps?
PASSPORT, PLEASE
Enter the overseas experience.
Studying abroad is often romanticised–and
with good reason. Imagine walking through
the cobbled streets of Oxford, studying
marine science by the Australian coast, or
diving into tech innovations in Japan.
For Ana, a 34-year-old Bruneian pursuing her
Master’s in Japan, it was about going back to
where her academic curiosity first sparked.
“I was interested in coming back to Japan
after coming here for the first time in 2012,”
she said. “Having access to some professors
then and finding my research interests
aligning with theirs, it felt obvious that I
should apply –which I did, with the MEXT
Scholarship.”
It’s not just about academics either. Some
Bruneianswho study abroad returnwithmore
than just a degree. They come back with
broader perspectives, sharper independence,
and sometimes, even a new accent.
Whether you go to theUK, Australia, Malaysia
or beyond, living overseas teaches you
things no textbook can. From doing your
own laundry to figuring out public transport
and learning how to stretch your scholarship
allowance until the end of the month, it’s a
crash course in “adulting”.
REALITY CHECK
It’s not all cherry blossoms and croissants.
Ana was candid about the emotional and
mental preparation involved.
“I had to prepare myself for homesickness
and culture shock, but knowing and
preparing for it versus actually living it are
very different things,” she said.
Adjustment, in particular, takes time.
“It was a slow adjustment for sure… I
realistically took six months to settle into
studying and living in Japan.”
For Ana, what’s essential is making friends
and building her own community. Being
able to bond with other Bruneians – even
though there are less than 10 of them in
the whole Kansai region –helped ease the
homesickness.
Financial planning is also important. Even
with a scholarship, students abroad often
have to budget tightly and prepare for
unexpected costs. Throw in visa paperwork,
figuring out health insurance, and spending
festive seasons far from family, and you’ve
got a pretty steep learning curve.
SO…WHICH ONEWINS?
Truthfully, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer.
It depends on your field, your personal goals,
your financial situation, and your level of
adventure.
Ana, who also previously worked with
students applying to study overseas, has
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BORNEO BULLETIN YEARBOOK 2026