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A doctorate in a caravan: That’s A for initiative

A PhD student has ditched dingy digs and opted for a home that moves with her changing lifestyle.

Heidi van der Watt says she has slashed her living costs in half by choosing to complete her studies from a campervan, and aims to turn a landlord’s loss into her own long-term gain.

Based in Tauranga, where the median rental price reached a record high $535 a week, Watt decided to get out of the competitive rental market and into a 9-metre motorhome that she shares with her husband.

‘‘It is such a significant saving to make,’’ she says.

They are putting the savings towards building a house of their own in the future.

However, completing her Massey University PhD in marine wildlife tourism remotely has not been without challenge.

The caravan is crammed full of thesis notes, research material, books, computer and stationery, and she also has to leave space for her husband.

‘‘We really had to downsize,’’ she says.

‘‘What we had accumulated over the last four years, we now put into storage.’’

The small study conditions also cause problems whenever long study sessions are needed.

‘‘I can work in the motorhome but, due to insulation, its best done for a short time,’’ she says.

‘‘If it gets too hot or too cold it can become difficult.’’

To combat this, van der Watt takes full advantage of nearby libraries with air conditioning and internet access.

‘‘It is amazing that in New Zealand you have these resources in the community,’’ she says. ‘‘I use the library when I need to work for a long time.’’

Van der Watt says the motorhome lifestyle can be beneficial but anyone wanting to make the change needs to take some time to reflect if the choice is right for them.

‘‘The first thing to do down and think,’’ she says.

‘‘Is this the lifestyle for me? Adding a partner to that lifestyle will really test the strength of your relationship. You will have to be very comfortable with your partner.’’

Mundane household tasks also become more difficult. Van der Watt says laundry is one task that requires a bit of thinking ahead to do correctly.

No washing machine means she has to rely on laundromats or campsite facilities.

Dishes and cleaning chores require water that has to be refilled and eventually discharged.

‘‘You need a place to water and discharge water,’’ van der Watt says.

But she says that with perseverance and the right attitude, people can adjust to the smaller living conditions and reap the benefits of saving money for their own house.

‘‘You won’t be able to lead the life you were accustomed to in an apartment or house in a motorhome,’’ she says. is sit refill black

‘‘You’ll have to find a place to park it and follow the rules about how long you can stay in one place.’’

Finally, for students, she says you need to have a university that supports distance learning and varying living arrangements. ‘‘That is critical,’’ she says. ‘‘Make sure your university is equipped to handle remote studying or different living arrangements.’’

‘‘You will have to be very comfortable with your partner.’’ Heidi van der Watt, right