A worthwhile experience, great start for travel in SEA Past Review

By (The University of Texas at Austin) - abroad from 01/13/2014 to 05/09/2014 with

National University of Singapore: Singapore - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Although the program was very worthwhile for me since I got to experience living in another country, adapting to the local lifestyle, and meeting and becoming good friends with many other exchange students, I realize that I would not choose to return to Singapore for study or work if I had the choice. Personally, the country is not a fit for me but that does not mean that I did not have a good experience, I had a nice time at NUS. Nevertheless, since I got to visit so many other countries while studying abroad I found many new places that I would like to go see again and perhaps live in.

Review Photos

National University of Singapore: Singapore - Direct Enrollment/Exchange Photo National University of Singapore: Singapore - Direct Enrollment/Exchange Photo National University of Singapore: Singapore - Direct Enrollment/Exchange Photo National University of Singapore: Singapore - Direct Enrollment/Exchange Photo

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

NUS is very competitive and grades are based on a curve. The local students dedicate a lot of their time into studying so as an exchange student if you do not spend all of your time studying from the beginning until the end of the semester you will most likely not make an A. However a B/B- is very possible with a good amount of effort while also having time for other things such as travel. The professors are available before/after class and during office hours and are willing to help exchange students adjust to the curriculum. It was also difficult adjusting to the competitiveness of the school and many local students were much less willing to help with academic enquiries than students were at UT or any other foreign students I encountered.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

There was a lack of communication between the host university and exchange students. It was also very difficult to register for necessary classes.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Prince George's Park Residence is located next to the NUS bus stop and walkable distance to Kent Ridge Station, but it is rather isolated from other parts of campus and it is difficult to interact with local students there. UTown is very different, a majority of exchange students live there and it is easy to meet others and the campus is very large, but it is further from Kent Ridge station and you will need to walk across a bridge or take a bus to any other part of campus since UTown is across the expressway and the bus stop is always packed. Also note that UTown Residence, College of Alice and Peter Tan, Tembusu, Residential College 4, and the Yale/NUS housing is all a part of UTown. Any of the other Halls and PGPR are separate housings found all over the NUS campus.

* Food:

The food at NUS is alright, it is pretty diverse but the quality is not the best. However it is very cheap since a meal costs about $2-5 and a drink can be less than $1. There are cheap hawker centers nearby such as at Clementi Mall, which is reachable by bus in less than 10 minutes. Or for nicer dining options nearby there is Buona Vista or VivoCity which are both a few stops away from Kent Ridge.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I adapted to the everyday lifestyle of a Singaporean student, but I did not have the opportunity to interact with many local students outside of class projects. However, NUS has a buddy system for exchange students that you can sign up for before you arrive so I highly suggest it since it is very helpful for them to pick you up at the airport and explain everything before school starts. There are also a couple of events for exchange students at the beginning of the semester to show them the city and introduce them to each other. The best way I found to integrate with other students is to find a group to try local eateries with.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

NUS has a university health center on campus available for exchange students. While I was there I visited once to get a shot and malaria pills before I travelled for recess week. The only thing that was disappointing was that I was charged for "consulting" with a doctor for less than 3 minutes when all she asked was how long I would be gone for and then gave me a prescription for malaria pills, when anything less than 15 minutes is supposedly free.

* Safety:

Singapore and more specifically the NUS campus is very safe. Although you shouldn't go around completely oblivious to your surroundings you should not worry too much about coming and going at night. Many times I returned after 11pm when the buses stopped and had to walk from Kent Ridge back to PGP and I did not have to worry. Taxis are also safe to take a night and the prices are fair. Students also tend to leave their things out, especially to save their seat while they go buy something from Starbucks, so it very normal to see laptops and wallets lying on tables everywhere.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

Finances

* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

It is fairly easy to stay on budget eating wise since all the canteens on campus are cheap, but if you want to go out for dinner it is pricey.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $150-200
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Eat on campus and if you use Singtel buy their Data $22 Talk top up card (if it is still available) so you get data every time you top up your card rather than having to buy it separately. Do not go shopping in Singapore, things can be 1.5-2 times more expensive than in the US.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Meeting other exchange students
  • Cheap fresh juice
* What could be improved?
  • Preparing students for the competitiveness in modules
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? That UTown is definitely where you want to live and it includes more than UTown Residence. It is very easy to make friends with other exchange students, especially if you arrive early and go to the meet ups, but it takes more effort to befriend locals if you live in a Residence rather than a College. Also do not expect to make great grades without spending all of your time and effort on studying, but even the local students have trouble so don't worry too much and make good use of your time to see other parts of Southeast Asia.

Reasons For Studying Abroad

To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you.
The Academic or Linguist
You went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you!