Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Academically fulfilling and socially stimulating (yes, even in a pandemic!) January 05, 2021

By (Wellesley College) - abroad from 08/11/2020 to 12/04/2020 with

Yale-NUS College: Singapore - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I found that I grew as a person in many ways during my experience abroad. Firstly, the courses challenged the way I think and offered an academically rewarding experience. Secondly, having to make friends and interact with peers during a pandemic was difficult, but it encouraged me to put myself out there and be more resilient. Lastly, navigating Singapore and its culture made me more independent and resourceful.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Overall, I had a very good experience at Yale-NUS. The courses were academically fulling and challenged me in many ways, the students and professors were friendly and welcoming, and I found it very easy to settle in.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

n/a, I lived at home and commuted to Yale-NUS due to COVID-19 related circumstances

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

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)

Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Singapore is a very expensive city, but it is possible to find affordable things to do - going to parks, eating at hawker centers, taking public transport (which is very safe and accessible), etc.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Other
* 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?
  • Courses (course structure, class environment, etc.)
  • Professors
  • Other students
* What could be improved?
  • Communication from admin at Yale-NUS
  • Events to facilitate interaction between other exchange students
  • Culturally immersive events
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew how rigorous the courses would be. They are the same level of intensity as Wellesley's courses, but their pace is different. Work and projects ramp up in the second week of courses and are then spread out over the semester (whereas I find that Wellesley has a slower start and then a longer mid-term season).

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 Outright Urbanite
A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.