[eduardordm]

I did that to pay for my tuition. I only had the salary from my employer in my home country, immigration services didn't let me get a part time work.

This is how I did it:

Place to sleep: Queens village. Take the F train all the way to the last station than a bus (Q43) for another 5-10 minutes (hillside av). That area (queens village/jamaica) has the cheapest rents I could find at the time (2006). The commute to Manhattan would take around 1:20. The bus transfer is free. A lot of reading.

Plan before you leave home so you don't waste money on transportation

Eat: pizza, standing. Some 99c stores do have some fake microwave meals (taste like rubber) . Do never pay for drinks. Drink water. Try not to spend more than 6 dollars on a meal.

Internet: Asked for a neighbor to share with me (paying a bit)

Take care of you teeth and health in general!!! Dentists are evil greedy bastards. Just kidding... (no I'm not)

PS: Those living conditions made me quit my studies.