My Exchange at The National University of Singapore
At the beginning, I want to say a very important thing. In Singapore, answer the phone number starting with +65, or all the phone numbers you don’t know, don’t answer, 99% of them are scammers! ! ! ! ! ! ! !
I think the exchange life of this semester is a very precious memory in my university life, because the exchange allowed me to experience the teaching and living atmosphere in different universities. I applied for a half-year exchange at NUS, and my majors are media and comms. There are about 5 courses in my major. Most of the students who take the class with me are exchange students, and of course some are local students. Each course has tasks that need to be completed by the group, which promotes communication among students. I think a good setting about the exchange is that the results of the exchange will not affect the GPA at the University of Auckland. So even if you don’t adapt well to the teaching method at that time, you don’t have to worry about the grades.
The things that can be played in Singapore are relatively limited, so many friends around me will choose to play in neighboring countries. For example, the sky in Bali is pink and very beautiful. Indonesian volcanoes are also very suitable for punching cards! It is also very close to Malaysia, and it only takes about 1 hour to get there by a special bus. If you happen to catch up with Halloween, it is highly recommended to go to Universal Studios in Singapore, which is very atmospheric. Singapore also hosts many concerts, you can pay attention to Ticketmaster’s website.
When I applied for the exchange, I originally planned to apply to the same university with my friend, but unfortunately the two of us were assigned to different universities in two different countries. This caused me to be very nervous and worried before going to Singapore, a completely unfamiliar environment, and I once planned to give up the exchange. But when I actually went to Singapore, I was not as overwhelmed as I imagined, and even made good friends during the orientation week. The host university will also set up a Facebook group chat for all exchange students, where we can find friends with similar interests.
I was very lucky to apply for the NUS dormitory. Although it is not the best room type, there is no sink and toilet in the room. We need to share a bathroom with the students on the same floor. Although there is no air-conditioning in the room, there is a large fan hanging from the beams of the room. Some dormitory buildings do not have elevators. Every time you go back to the dormitory is a process of fitness. But the cost of the dormitory is very cheap. I spent a total of about $3000 a semester. However, there are very few dormitories in NUS. Many of my friends have not applied for a dormitory. The high accommodation fee is about 1200-1500 a month and it is far away from the school. Therefore, I suggest to fill in the application immediately on the day when the dormitory application is opened.
Q&A
What were some of the highlights of the academic experience at your host university?
NUS has a lot of practical courses. For example, I have a course called TS2233. In this course, we need to adapt a well-known TV series, and at the end of the course, we will perform 30 minutes with an audience. I personally like this kind of practical course, it allows me to communicate more with my classmates and practice what I have learned.
Would you recommend any particular activity/activities unique to your host country or university?
Different dormitories will carry out different clubs and exclusive activities. For example, in the first month of school, there is a dance in our dormitory, which requires all students to attend in formal attire. utown sometimes holds some performances, such as aerobics or singing and dancing
What are your top 3 tips for future students attending your host university or going on exchange to your host country?
You can make a few friends on social platforms before going to Singapore, and the rest are afraid of contacting people when they first arrive in an unfamiliar environment. Secondly, Singapore is a very humid country. It is recommended to prepare several dehumidification bags in the dormitory. Ultimately, don’t answer unfamiliar phone numbers at the time! In case of a problem go to your local police station.
How much did you budget for your exchange? Was this enough? Were there any lessons learned that would help future students budget for their own exchange?
I only had $2000 with me when I went to Singapore because I had already paid the accommodation fee. If you save some money, there is no problem in sticking to it for one semester. But when I was in Singapore, I participated in more parties, so I spent more, about $3000-$3500.
What are your most significant takeaways from your experience abroad?
Perhaps the biggest gain is that I become more open and communicate with more strangers.
Do you want to share anything about travels you did outside your host city/country?
Singapore is very close to Thailand, Malaysia, and Bali. During the one-week break in the middle, you can invite friends to play together.
Is there anything else you’d like to highlight?
Don’t answer phone calls from strangers.
Tags: 2022, Arts/Humanities, Report