Why should you pursue your undergraduate or graduate degree in Singapore? That’s a simple question with multiple answers: pleasant weather with few extremes, top-rated universities, safe and clean environments, English speakers everywhere, and a thriving economy that allows you to stay for a rewarding career.
In this article, we attempt to assess Singapore as a potential educational option for international students. The ESSEC Business School Asia-Pacific also offers advice on how to make the most of your time in Singapore in the post.
Student Life In Singapore Is Safe And Secure
Singapore is crime-free thanks to strict regulations, severe penalties, and corporal punishment. Travel websites rate the city-state as “low-risk” for using taxis and other modes of transportation, pickpockets, mugging, and terrorism.
Pickpockets do, however, operate in tourist locations. You’ll need to be more vigilant in some areas, but if you dress conservatively and avoid tourist traps, you should be fine.
However, even at night, the streets are generally safe, and cafes are open. The government has deployed street cameras almost everywhere for the public’s safety.
Remember that recreational drug usage is punished by death, and that graffiti, riots, and visa and drug offenses are all punishable by judicial caning.
Drunk driving carries a ten-year sentence. Chewing gum is prohibited, and smoking and drinking in public places, as well as jaywalking and littering, are prohibited.
Take special care of your health as an overseas student. If you get sick, you should get health insurance since hospital expenses can be very expensive. As a result, eat healthy foods, exercise regularly, and meditate to avoid getting sick.
Weather Conditions For Student Life In Singapore
Singapore is a tropical country with no distinct seasons. It pours when it rains, but the showers only last an hour or two.
The highest average temperature is 29 degrees Celsius between April and August, with the highest average temperature of 32 degrees Celsius between March and June.
The coldest month is January, with an average temperature of 27 degrees Celsius, while the coldest average temperature is 24 degrees Celsius in January and February.
It’s hot and humid most of the time (about 80% humidity), so your sweat glands will be overworked.
When You Arrive, Student Life In Singapore
To begin, learn how to use public transportation, which includes trains, buses, and taxis, as well as where to buy essential supplies.
You should learn to cook before visiting Singapore because restaurants, particularly those serving Indian cuisine, are pricey.
You can also get rid of some of the homesickness you’re going to feel by cooking your favorite recipes from home.
It is best to book lodging in Singapore, open a bank account, and complete all documentation before arriving.
If you’re taking any medications, don’t forget to bring them with you. Keep a list of important phone numbers and addresses in your phone.
Student Life In Singapore Has A Exceptional Education System
A kid is required to complete six years of compulsory education, which includes primary education from grades 1 to 4 and orientation from grades 5 to 6. Music, arts, crafts, physical education, and social sciences are all taught in addition to English, the native tongue. Science is taught beginning in third grade.
Secondary education lasts four or five years and includes special, express, and regular courses at government-funded, aided, or independent schools. The first two years are spent preparing pupils for the Singapore-Cambridge GCE-O level test.
Students who choose the standard path study academic or technical subjects in order to pass the GCE-N level exam in four years and, if successful, the GCE-O level exam in the fifth year.
Following GCE-O, students can enrol in a three-year pre-university programme at a centralised institute or a two-year pre-university course at a junior college. Students take the GCE-A level exam at the end of junior college.
Students can choose between domestic universities and universities with international affiliations after passing the exam.
The National University of Singapore (NUS, QS 2019 world rank 11, Asian rank 1), Nanyang Technological University (NTU, QS 2019 world rank 13, Asian rank 2), and Singapore Management University (SMU), all of which have joint programmes with international universities, are among the most prestigious domestic universities.
INSEAD, University of Chicago Booth School of Business, Duke University, SP Jain Centre of Management, and ESSEC Business School are among the international universities with a presence in Singapore.
Student Life In Singapore Is A Great Place To Learn
If you want to get the most out of your classrooms, preparation is essential. Professors who teach in English are of the highest standard and eager to assist their pupils; some may even inspire you.
In the first year or so of their programme, students are generally shy to speak in class, but as their programme progresses, they come out of their shell (though they always address professors formally with a Mr/Ms).
However, just because they aren’t as outgoing in class doesn’t mean they can’t provide thoughtful responses when asked.
The curriculum is demanding, and it provides a nice challenge for those who have excelled in school.
You will attend lectures in which academics will explain theory, followed by practical tutorials in which you will be able to ask questions, clarify doubts, give presentations, and complete exercises and individual work.
Many local students print out materials ahead of time because theory lectures tend to cover course topics quickly.
Students are required to labour lengthy hours. The average grade is a B, and most kids, with the exception of those who are exceptionally brilliant, struggle to strike a balance between work and leisure. Exam time, like it is at most other universities, is stressful. Many pupils are overly concerned with their marks.
Student Life In Singapore Brings A Warm And Welcoming Campus
Universities in Singapore provide an enriching life outside of the classroom as well. Students are welcomed with freshmen orientation camps and academic year openings to swiftly evaluate the programmes and facilities available at the three most well-known universities (NUS, NTU, and SMU).
Campuses are self-contained, with facilities catering to a wide range of interests, including music, theater, sports, and cultural events.
There are also a lot of entertainment alternatives, such as nightclubs and bars. On campus, there are opportunities for cultural activity and community involvement. Foodies will find cafes and eateries to suit their preferences.
Every large neighborhood has malls and community facilities outside the campus. Students can use community centers’ gyms and sports facilities.
Due to the tropical climate, adventurous activities such as windsurfing, dragon boat racing, and wake boarding are available.
Student Life In Singapore Is Rich In Culture
Singapore is home to four major ethnic groups: Chinese, Malay, Indian, and “others” (those who do not fit into one of the three major categories), and the government is committed to maintaining intercultural peace.
“Chinatown” and “Little India,” for example, are ethnic enclaves within a community.
Meritocracy ensures that brilliance from around the world is recognized, offering international students and employers the same possibilities as locals.
Although English is one of the four national languages (along with Malay, Mandarin, and Tamil), locals speak their own dialect, “Singlish,” which is spoken at breakneck speed.
Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, and Taoism are the major religions. In this secular immigrant country, all religious communities are treated equally.
All religious festivals, as well as the National Day Parade (August 9), are observed as public holidays.
The stars of the Singapore national flag signify democracy, peace, progress, justice, and equality.
Singapore has numerous television and radio stations, as well as newspapers and publications. Football, basketball, swimming, cricket, rugby, badminton, and cycling are also popular sports. Sailing, kayaking, and water skiing are among the popular watersports.
Singapore received a score of 4/7 for political freedom and civil rights (I is the most free) from Freedom in the World, a non-profit organization based in the United States.
In 2020, Reporters Without Borders ranked it 158th out of 180 nations in its Press Freedom Index. Art and cultural acts are also subject to rigorous regulations.
Singapore, on the other hand, has a rich musical and artistic legacy, encompassing both traditional and modern genres, as well as their synthesis. The majority of literature is composed of works produced in the country’s official languages.
Many Options Of Housing For Student Life In Singapore
On-campus and off-campus housing options are available to international students. Student halls (with or without meals) are available on campus for monthly rents of S$200 (US$ 144, Rs. 10,726, as of July 2, 2020), with higher prices for better facilities. Married couples can rent apartments for as little as S$3,000 for a semester or six months.
Hostels, some with university affiliations, studios, and apartments are examples of off-campus housing. Student housing is $S1,700 for six months plus utility deposits, and private apartments cost $S1,500 per month. If you can afford it, you can live in style. Condos/studios rent for S$1,000 per month, while flats rent for S$4,000 per month.
The Housing Development Board provides public housing with all of the necessary amenities. The rent varies depending on the location and ranges from S$650 to S$2,000 per month for one to five persons.
It’s crucial to do some research before deciding on a place to stay. Examine the rental agreement, especially the exit clause. Be cautious of shady agents.
