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Yating Yang

An overseas PhD student who calls himself “the most frugal Chinese in Switzerland” has gone viral after revealing that he meets his protein needs by eating cat food.
The student survives on meagre rations so that he can fund his medical doctorate. He even donates blood to get a free meal.
Known online as “The Artful Cheapskate”, he has attracted more than 12,000 followers on social media.
After graduating from medical school in China and saving 300,000 yuan (US$42,000) while working in Shanghai, he embarked on a self-funded PhD at a top research institution in Switzerland, a country known for its sky-high cost of living.

“In Switzerland, a PhD student typically needs between 1,000 and 1,500 Swiss Francs (US$1,300 and US$2,000) per month.”
“I have seen many self-funded students drop out by their third year simply because they cannot afford the tuition and living expenses. That is something I absolutely cannot accept,” he said.
“Before I came to Switzerland, I had already made up my mind to live frugally. International students are not allowed to work legally here, so I have to save wherever I can,” the student told Meiri Renwu.
He said that being frugal is an art and that was the reason he gave himself the online name he uses.
In one of his most viral posts, he revealed an unusual strategy to stay healthy and maintain muscle mass: eating cat food from the Swiss supermarket chain Migros to supplement his protein intake.

“Many people were shocked by my choice. But I did the maths. A 3kg bag of cat food costs just 3.75 Swiss francs (US$5) and contains a whopping 32 per cent protein. That means one franc gets you 256 units of protein, better value than any food I have found in Switzerland so far,” the student said.
But he warned: “Never mix it with milk. Based on my experience, the best way to mask the smell is to eat it with party peanuts. The feeling of fullness lasts a long time.”
He also claimed cat food has a surprising benefit: “My fellow PhD students are losing their hair, but the cat food contains ingredients that make cats’ fur shiny and soft, and my hair has never looked better.”
In another post, he shared how he even donates blood in Switzerland in exchange for meals.

“Honestly, donating blood here is far more generous than in China. You get as many drinks and chocolates as you want. You also get sandwiches, soup, chips and gummies.
“It is basically a buffet. I always schedule my donation around lunchtime. That is when the soup is hottest and the food supply is most abundant,” he wrote.
He ended the post by promoting what he calls “healthy thriftiness”.
Having just secured a scholarship, he will soon leave Switzerland and begin a visiting programme at Harvard University, and he plans to continue living on a shoestring budget in Boston.
His story stirred lively discussion on mainland social media.
One viewer said: “He is truly a legend. I took his advice and bought some cat food. It was so fishy I could not even eat it.”
“Was that really necessary, brother? Just take a weekend trip to Germany to stock up on some meat,” said another.
While a third quipped: “Live-streaming yourself eating cat food could be very profitable. Also, for your information, Zurich railway station gives out free meals.”


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Frugal China PhD student in Switzerland lives on cheap meals, gets protein from cat food

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The thrifty student says the cost of living in Switzerland has forced many overseas students to drop out of school. Photo: Shutterstock

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Thrifty student bemoans high cost of living in country of study, claims eating pet food mixed with peanuts has left him with luscious locks


Thrifty student bemoans high cost of living in country of study, claims eating pet food mixed with peanuts has left him with luscious locks.


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Frugal China PhD student in Switzerland lives on cheap meals, gets protein from cat food

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Thrifty student bemoans high cost of living in country of study, claims eating pet food mixed with peanuts has left him with luscious locks

Thrifty student bemoans high cost of living in country of study, claims eating pet food mixed with peanuts has left him with luscious locks