My Exchange at National University of Singapore
One of the things I was most worried about before going on exchange was meeting new people and adapting to a new environment. Leaving your home university, stepping out of your comfort zone, and immersing yourself in a completely different setting can feel overwhelming and even a little scary. However, my experience turned out to be far more enjoyable and comfortable than I expected. Starting fresh in a new place can be intimidating, but it’s also an incredible opportunity to grow, build connections, and discover new aspects of yourself.
One of the best ways to meet people early on is by attending various campus events at the beginning of the semester. Whether it’s orientation, club welcome teas, or campus fairs, these events are specifically designed to help students connect and settle in. At the National University of Singapore (NUS), there were countless opportunities to meet both local and exchange students. I highly recommend participating in as many of these activities as possible at the start of your exchange. For me, it was during the very first campus event that I met a group of people who became my close friends throughout the entire semester. These friendships were enriching; not only did we hang out regularly on campus, but we even went on multiple trips together to other countries, creating memories that I will treasure forever.
Beyond orientation events, NUS has an impressive variety of clubs and societies, many of which were entirely new to me. These clubs are very open and welcoming to exchange students, so it’s a great opportunity to try new activities or continue pursuing hobbies you love. Joining these communities was one of the best decisions I made during my exchange. I got involved in several clubs, including basketball, tennis, dance, and even canoe polo, a sport I had never encountered before. Each of these experiences allowed me to meet people with similar interests, improve my skills, and immerse myself in the vibrant campus culture.
Being part of these clubs and communities helped me adapt more quickly and made my exchange experience much more fulfilling. The friendships and connections I built, combined with the chance to try new activities, created a well-rounded and enriching time abroad. If you’re about to embark on an exchange program, don’t hesitate to get involved, be open to new experiences, and make the most of the opportunities available—you’ll be surprised by how quickly a new place can start to feel like home.
Q&A
What were some of the highlights of the academic experience at your host university?
I was able to experience the different academic lifestyles of many different people, from local Singaporean students to other nationalities of exchange students. It was very interesting how different countries, and different universities have different grading systems and curriculums.
Would you recommend any particular activity/activities unique to your host country or university?
I would highly recommend the CCA, which is the club in school. They are very open to any student, even if you only stay for a single semester. They are very lovely and welcoming to us.
What are your top 3 tips for future students attending your host university or going on exchange to your host country?
Join a lot of exchange and campus events, don’t hesitate to ask for help and make sure you are ready to enjoy a different uni life.
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 budgeted around 15,000 to 10,000 NZD, and it was enough for flights + trips + food + other necessities. You might end up travelling to other Southeast Asia countries more than you expected, but make sure you go.
What are your most significant takeaways from your experience abroad?
Different cultures and uni-lifes were very different to UOA. I was very surprised how there were a lot of exchange students.
Do you want to share anything about travels you did outside your host city/country?
I’ve been to Malaysia since it is connected, so my friends and I took a bus to go there during the study break. Seeing how I could cross the border by bus was very interesting.
Is there any advice you could share about accommodation options at your host university and/or in the local area?
Once you get the offer from the school, we can create your school account. Then, you will be able to access the on-campus accommodation website and a lot of information on the school website. Also, there is a YouTube video which compares different types of accommodation in NUS.
Do you have any advice on what mobile phone apps and/or phone plans that were useful in your host country?
There are NUSNextBus apps which I used the most. Since the campus is huge, you must take the bus to go to the lecture theatre or tutorial classes. And this transport at helps you to know when the bus is arriving, what is the route of the bus etc. One of the most popular sim card is Singtel which you can find it in any mall. You just need to buy the cheapest plan, which gives you 100GB per month, which is more than enough.
Final Comments
Most of the Hawker Center, which is the cheap food court, and the school food courts are not accepting credit cards, so make sure you prepare enough cash to buy the food.