Year Abroad: A Semester In Singapore

It’s not something you really want to think about. Having to adjust to a new place on the other side of planet, and the potential complications that come with that. On the flip side its arguably the most exciting thing I’ve ever done. When I saw Singapore was an option for a year abroad, my eyes widened and I was dead set on going there. Having visited as a tourist a few years before, I thought I was going somewhere familiar….. however when I arrived, and realised I was not going to a fancy hotel, but a university accommodation, it came upon me none of this was going to be familiar.

Coming from Warwick I thought I was used to campus style universities, however this was on another level.

Landing in Singapore, as a Brit you feel you have just entered a steam room, with the intense combo of heat and humidity, much different to the constant miserable grey skies and rain. Although an improvement, it took a while to adapt, with the first half of the entire semester involving bouncing from aircon to aircon and having to do laundry quite often. Coming from Warwick I thought I was used to campus style universities, however this was on another level. The Nanyang Technological University (NTU) is about double to triple the size of Warwick, and has its own bus routes within the campus. My hall of residence is the exact other side of campus to the main areas, which meant the bus very quickly became my best friend. It was either learn the buses, or be greeted with a 20- 30 minute walk in direct sunlight and nearly 100% humidity every day; I think my choice was made for me.

The vibe in Singapore, which I learned very quickly was exchanges tended to group together, and locals did the same. These groups rarely overlapped unless you were part of a society or were forced to as a part of group projects. Upon joining multiple societies including: handball, canoe polo and calisthenics I befriended many locals and people from all walks of life. With handball, me being the only exchange out of the whole group, I had a chance to bond with the Singaporean students and throw myself into the deep end. When I discovered the handball courts were outside I thought this must be a joke. Next thing I knew I was playing matches and running up and down in 30 degree heat. The state of me after, let’s just say was not far off me going into the shower fully clothed.

Being in Singapore, you are at the gateway to Southeast Asia.

The living situation was what shocked me the most. When I viewed my allocated accommodation and saw ‘Double-Room with Air-Conditioning’ I had mixed emotions. Part of me was extremely concerned, and didn’t fully understand that I would be living in the same room as another human which I had never met or have been told nothing about. Another part of me was thankful I was given air-conditioning, which I thought was a standard in every room, until I discovered it very much wasn’t and there were many who had to either buy their own or just deal with the heat. Living with another human (effectively a stranger) in your room and them sleeping less than 4 feet away from you is tantalising. I discovered very early on the quality of sleep was not going to be ideal, while struggling to coordinate bed times and wake up times. It’s nice to have someone to talk to, however there isn’t a time during the day where I’m not around people. I will never complain about my room at home ever again.

Being in Singapore, you are at the gateway to Southeast Asia. A plethora of countries to chose from but such little time. Seeing incredible places such as Vietnam, Malaysia and the Philippines, all of which I thought I would never set foot in ever, is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Going from spending £20+ at Nando’s for a meal, to more like £2 for a plate of fried rice the size of a small trough feels pretty good. Definitely one major thing I will miss on my return to the UK amongst many others.

I am forever grateful for the experiences I have had and the vast array of people I have met.

Leaving home to live in another country on my own is something I would not have anticipated doing a few years ago, especially to a place like Singapore. Being this far away from family with an 8 hour time difference takes some time getting used to for sure, as I am used to my parents being less than a 2 hours drive from university in the UK. Now that I’m fully settled and am into my second and last semester here, I am forever grateful for the experiences I have had and the vast array of people I have met. For the rest of my time here, I’m aiming to see and do as much as I can in order to carry as many memories as I can into the future.