Is Singapore a good place for a student looking to study and explore Asia?

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twlaz
twlaz

I have the opportunity to spend a semester studying at the National University of Singapore. I have been considering studying in Singapore among other places but it looks to be the best place for me to spend some time(for academic reasons). I'm drawn to the fact that Singapore is an English speaking city state that is a huge melting pot with amazing food and diversity. The main concerns that I have are based on the fact that I'm hoping to get out and visit some of the places I've dreamed about for years. I would hope to spend a few months after my term exploring mainland south-east Asia. Namely Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, and also Hong Kong(not mainland). But I am also hoping to explore Indonesia and Malaysia. So I will pose a few questions.

  1. I'm wondering if Singapore will be an exciting place to spend about 5 months(I have this notion that Singapore is almost too clean and 'perfect' to remain exciting for that period of time).

  2. Will Singapore be a good, somewhat affordable, home base for checking out Indonesia and Malaysia on any breaks that I may have?

  3. How does Singapore relate to other cities in Asia in terms of receiving a unique and wonderful experience that I may never have a chance to seek out again(in terms of living in an Asian city)?

Thanks in advance to all that reply. I'm sure I will have many more questions about this topic myself.

Edited by: twlaz

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sbruny
sbruny

The National Library of Singapore may be a nice place to hangout while you reside in Singapore. My own personal experience jump at the chance to study abroad. Lots of low cost air carriers connecting you to the rest of asia. Will change your life.

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merantau
merantau

In answer to 1: Get a copy of Paul Theroux's 'Ghost Train to the Eastern Star' and read the chapter on Singapore. I think you will find it rather illuminating.

As for 2: Yes, very much so. But it is an expensive place to live. I assume you will be provided with cheap, subsidized accomodation.

And 3: Singapore is a big, modern city where people devote their energies to making money and keeping their heads down. The shadow of the Government looms large over the citizenry - repression minus the bloodshed. (save for a few spurts from the backsides of prisoners who are subjected to the rotan) Hope this post doesn't get me on a banned list!

Ted Turton: "They all drive with one hand in America ya know."
Terry McCann: "Wot thay do wiv the uvver one then?"
Ted: "They just look casual."
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twlaz
twlaz

I looked up the national library, and I have to say its one of the 'coolest' looking libraries I have seen. I'm definitely one of the work hard play hard types. And will enjoy studying and exploring the city. For me studying abroad is all about living somewhere for a few months that is both exotic and an educational experience. What 'turns me off ' when it comes to Singapore would have to be what 'merantau' mentioned, that being that most 'devote their energies to making money and keeping their heads down.' To that I would have to ask: are most in Singapore merely passing through(meaning that it is essentially a weigh station for those looking to make money and move on to where they are from) or does most of the population live most of there lives in Singapore? As for the government, I figured it was along those lines when I heard that it is more expensive to have a permit for a car than to actually buy one! As far as living expenses in Singapore, I don't have to worry about that, but travelling elsewhere is a concern financially.

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gerbilly3
gerbilly3

here are the pros and cons to spending your 5 months in the city of singapore.
pros:
singapore is a safe city
diverse food found here so stomach wont be lacking of snacks
very good education system , able to find tution teacher when you need
a hub for all major and minor airlines
best airport
lots of music scenes around substation and clarke quay
comedy masala nights
"safe" clubs
bubble tea
have all races under one roof
more "condusive enviroment" for studies
slowly explore ba. haha

cons
rather expendsive taxi
since the airport is so high class , airport tax may take a toll on the airfare
accomodation may be expendsive . but i heard that nus have its dorm's for its students

hope you enjoy your stay here :D

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merantau
merantau

Yes #4 agree totally. Safe, clean, good food, great public transport and so on. What about those comedy masala nights? Can members of the public get up to perform? If so I'd like to have a go. Here's a couple of jokes to warm up the audience? What do you call Singaporeans who chew gum under the cover of darkness in the privacy of their own homes? Dangerous subversives! Why don't Singaporeans laugh at LKY's jokes? Don't be stupid - LKY never jokes about ANYTHING! A family gathered for a picnic in a park to celebrate granma's birthday. Why did a passing policeman begin to monitor them? He was listening for possible political content in their conversation!

But, on reflection the owners of the comedy masala venue would drag me off the stage after the first joke wouldn't they? Making a joke like that would turn the night into a political meeting, and you need a permit for that, right?

Is there a grain of truth in what I'm saying, or has Singapore changed ? I haven't been to Singapore for over 25 years but I get the impression that there is still no genuine democracy or freedom of expression.

OP, maybe there is a forum somewhere devoted to Westerners who are studying in Asia where you could seek other opinions - just a thought. Good luck.

Ted Turton: "They all drive with one hand in America ya know."
Terry McCann: "Wot thay do wiv the uvver one then?"
Ted: "They just look casual."
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gerbilly3
gerbilly3

#5 comedy masala is a club where amature performers can go up the stage and perform their acts , for free . if you want to perform on stage , you hacve to "book a slot " in advance . well , now adadys most comedy in singapore have some form of political satire to it , thus just take it with a pinch of salt . as long as it isnt a form of "riot" , it should be alright . agreed that the govt is still strict on such political issue , but singapore has changed , we are now learning to open up and accept jokes with a pinch of salt.
most cases of expression are found throughout the net .
the venue is a good place for cheap jokes and drinks to help laugh the night away,

and another form of satire would be the latest comedy show , the noose . it has aired on local channels and still attracting lots of singaporeans to watch it . weather after the show people whould discuss about the issue or not , its up to them .

Edited by: gerbilly3

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ndut
ndut

I'd say most of the office drones 'devote their energies to making money and keeping their heads down' during office hours. Some who have people under them probably keep their heads up once in a while.
S'pore is a good place to make money. I'm not sure why some people think of it as a bad thing.

to answer OP's main question, 'Yes, it is'

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twlaz
twlaz

Thanks everyone for the wonderful feedback! I'm happy to see that I've started some good discussion on the topic of Singapore. I have gone ahead and done some research myself. I found a webpage concerning budget airlines in SE Asia. Upon checking out a few of those airlines I found deals for flights from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur and Penang for $30 Round trip! I also found flights to Bali for under $150. I guess as a few have stated, Singapore is a fantastic home base! Besides this I've done research concerning other topics and I'm still not sold on finding Singapore interesting for over a few months. So, I have been wondering what Singaporeans typically do with their weekends? What is a typically night on the town like for a Singaporean? and lastly, are the islands surrounding Singapore interesting to explore? Once again, thanks a great deal for all of the feedback and future feedback!

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gerbilly3
gerbilly3

the best way to discover singapore is thru food .
http://ieatishootipost.blogspot.com
is the best way to start .

find good food place , and start exploring singapore from there.
bring along a tissue packet to chope seats as well.

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